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Greek Chicken Gyros with Cucumber Tzatziki

A vibrant Mediterranean dish featuring marinated chicken, warm pita, and a refreshing cucumber tzatziki sauce.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time35 minutes
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Greek, Mediterranean
Keyword: Greek Chicken Gyros, Healthy Recipe, Mediterranean Food, Quick Dinner, Tzatziki Sauce
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 400kcal

Ingredients

For the Chicken

  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
  • 3 tbsp olive oil for marination
  • 1 Juice of 1 lemon
  • 2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

For the Tzatziki Sauce

  • 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
  • 0.5 lemon, juiced
  • 1 small cucumber, grated and squeezed dry
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

For Assembly

  • 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 bowl, combine 3 tablespoons of olive oil, the juice of 1 lemon, 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 teaspoons of dried oregano, 1 teaspoon of ground cumin, 1 teaspoon of paprika, and salt and pepper to taste.
  • Coat the boneless chicken thighs or breasts in this marinade, ensuring they are completely covered. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or overnight for even more flavor.

Make the Tzatziki

  • Mix together 1 cup of plain Greek yogurt, the grated cucumber (squeezed to remove excess moisture), 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh dill, and the juice of 1/2 lemon.
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste and chill this mixture in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Cook the Chicken

  • Heat a skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat.
  • Place the marinated chicken in the pan and cook for about 4–5 minutes per side, until fully cooked through and golden brown.
  • Let the chicken rest for about 5 minutes before slicing it into tender strips.

Warm the Pitas

  • While the chicken cooks, warm each pita bread in a dry skillet for 30 seconds per side.
  • Keep the warmed pitas wrapped in a clean towel to maintain their warmth.

Assemble the Gyros

  • Spread a generous amount of tzatziki sauce over each warm pita.
  • Add strips of the grilled chicken, and then top with sliced red onion, halved cherry tomatoes, crumbled feta cheese, and fresh lettuce leaves.
  • You can fold the pitas over or serve them open-faced for a colorful presentation.

Notes

For an unforgettable gyros experience, use quality ingredients and consider adding a sprinkle of red pepper flakes to the chicken marinade for a spicy kick. Customize toppings with your favorite vegetables or add pickled veggies for extra zest.