Description
This Greek Chicken Gyros recipe features tender, marinated chicken thighs cooked to perfection and served in warm pita bread with fresh cherry tomatoes, red onion, lettuce, and a flavorful homemade cucumber tzatziki sauce. Topped with crumbled feta cheese, this dish offers a delightful Mediterranean-inspired meal that’s perfect for lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 4-6 pita breads or flatbreads
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
For the Tzatziki Sauce:
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- ½ cucumber, grated and excess water squeezed out
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried dill)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, ground cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Add the chicken thighs and toss well to evenly coat. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld.
- Prepare the Tzatziki Sauce: In a medium bowl, combine Greek yogurt, grated cucumber (with excess water pressed out), lemon juice, minced garlic, chopped dill, and pinch of salt and pepper. Stir well and refrigerate until needed to let the flavors combine and chill.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade and cook for about 5-6 minutes per side, until the chicken is fully cooked through and has a slight char. Remove from heat and let the chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing into strips to keep it juicy.
- Warm the Pita Breads: Warm the pita breads gently in the skillet or oven so they are soft and pliable, ready to be filled.
- Assemble the Gyros: On each pita, layer the sliced chicken, cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, shredded lettuce, and a generous spoonful of the chilled tzatziki sauce. Finish by sprinkling crumbled feta cheese on top. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- For a lower-carb option, skip the pita and serve the chicken and tzatziki over a fresh salad.
- You can substitute chicken breasts for thighs; however, thighs generally provide more flavor and tenderness.
