Description
This Greek Chicken Gyro recipe features tender, marinated chicken thighs grilled to perfection and served on warm pita bread with fresh vegetables and creamy tzatziki sauce. A flavorful and satisfying Mediterranean main course that’s perfect for a quick family meal or casual entertaining.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 1 1/2 pounds (680g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 3 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
For Serving
- 4–6 pita breads or flatbreads
- Sliced red onion
- Chopped tomatoes
- Shredded lettuce
- Crumbled feta cheese
- Tzatziki sauce
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a large bowl or zip-top bag, combine the Greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, ground cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well blended to create a flavorful marinade.
- Marinate the Chicken: Add the chicken thighs to the marinade, ensuring each piece is fully coated. Cover the bowl or seal the bag and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or overnight for maximum flavor and tenderness.
- Cook the Chicken: Preheat a grill or skillet to medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade and place on the grill or skillet. Cook for 5–6 minutes per side, or until the chicken is cooked through and develops a light char. Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes to retain juices.
- Warm the Bread: While the chicken rests, warm the pita breads or flatbreads in a dry skillet over medium heat or wrapped in foil in a preheated oven until soft and pliable.
- Assemble the Gyros: Slice the rested chicken into strips. On each warm pita, layer sliced chicken, sliced red onion, chopped tomatoes, shredded lettuce, and crumbled feta cheese. Top generously with tzatziki sauce, fold, and serve immediately for a delicious traditional gyro experience.
Notes
- Chicken breasts can be substituted, but thighs offer more flavor and tenderness.
- For a low-carb option, serve the gyro filling in lettuce wraps or over a fresh salad instead of pita bread.
- Homemade tzatziki sauce enhances the authentic flavor, but store-bought tzatziki works well for convenience.
