Greek Chicken Gyros with Cucumber Tzatziki
A vibrant and flavorful dish featuring marinated chicken, creamy tzatziki, fresh vegetables, and soft pita bread, ideal for a weeknight dinner or a weekend gathering.
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 475kcal
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 whole lemon, juiced
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp paprika
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
For the Tzatziki
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
- 0.5 whole lemon, juiced
- 1 small cucumber, grated and squeezed dry
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
For Assembling
- 4–6 pieces pita breads
- 0.5 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- Fresh lettuce leaves
Instructions
Marinate the Chicken
- In a mixing bowl, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, ground cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Add the chicken, ensuring it is well-coated in the marinade. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the chicken for at least 1 hour, or overnight for maximum flavor.
Make the Tzatziki
- In another mixing bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, minced garlic, olive oil, fresh dill, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Stir well to mix all the ingredients thoroughly. For the best flavor, cover and chill the tzatziki for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Cook the Chicken
- Heat a skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the marinated chicken. Grill the chicken for about 4–5 minutes on each side, or until it is cooked through and has nice grill marks. When cooked, remove the chicken from the heat, let it rest for 5 minutes, then slice it into strips.
Warm the Pitas
- In a dry skillet, warm each pita bread for about 30 seconds on each side, until they’re soft and pliable. Keep the warmed pitas covered with a clean kitchen towel to retain heat.
Assemble the Gyros
- Take a warmed pita and spread a generous amount of tzatziki on it. Add a portion of chicken strips, followed by the sliced red onion, cherry tomatoes, crumbled feta, and fresh lettuce leaves. You can fold the pita into a wrap or serve it open-faced as preferred.
Notes
For best flavor, marinate the chicken overnight. Substitute dill with parsley or mint if necessary. Serve with additional fresh herbs or spicy feta dip for variety.