Description
This Greek Chicken Gyros recipe offers a flavorful and authentic Mediterranean experience with tender marinated chicken thighs grilled to perfection, served in warm pita bread with fresh vegetables and creamy homemade tzatziki sauce. Perfect for a quick weeknight meal or a casual gathering, these gyros bring vibrant flavors and wholesome ingredients together in just 35 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken Marinade
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Tzatziki Sauce
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 cucumber, grated and drained
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
For Assembly
- 4 pita breads
- 1 tomato, sliced
- 1 red onion, thinly sliced
- Fresh lettuce
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, combine olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and pepper, mixing well to create the marinade.
- Marinate the Chicken: Add the chicken thighs to the marinade, ensuring they are well coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or ideally overnight to deepen flavors.
- Make the Tzatziki Sauce: In a separate bowl, mix Greek yogurt, grated and drained cucumber, minced garlic, lemon juice, fresh dill, salt, and pepper thoroughly.
- Chill the Tzatziki: Cover the sauce and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Preheat the Grill or Skillet: Heat a grill or skillet over medium-high heat preparing for cooking the chicken.
- Cook the Chicken: Remove the chicken thighs from the marinade and cook for 6-7 minutes on each side until fully cooked through and slightly charred on the edges.
- Rest and Slice Chicken: Let the chicken rest for a few minutes to retain juices, then slice thinly for assembling.
- Warm the Pita Bread: Heat pita breads briefly on the grill or in a dry skillet for about 1 minute to make them soft and pliable.
- Assemble the Gyros: Place sliced chicken onto each warmed pita, then add tomato slices, red onion, and fresh lettuce on top.
- Add Tzatziki Sauce: Spoon a generous amount of chilled tzatziki sauce over the fillings to complete the gyros.
- Serve: Fold or roll up the pita sandwiches and enjoy immediately for the best taste and texture.
Notes
- Marinate the chicken overnight for the most flavorful and tender results.
- Drain the grated cucumber well to prevent the tzatziki sauce from becoming too watery.
- You can substitute chicken breasts if preferred, though thighs provide more juiciness.
- To make this dish gluten-free, use gluten-free pita or wraps.
- These gyros can also be grilled outdoors on a barbecue for added smoky flavor.
