Description
This Mediterranean Chicken Gyros recipe features tender, marinated grilled chicken thighs served in warm pita bread with a creamy feta tzatziki sauce. Loaded with fresh veggies and herbs, it’s a flavorful and satisfying dish perfect for a casual meal or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken Marinade
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Creamy Feta Tzatziki
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/2 cucumber, grated and drained
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
For Assembly
- 4 pita bread rounds
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 tomato, sliced
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl, mix olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Add the chicken thighs and coat well with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, ideally overnight, to infuse flavor.
- Grill the Chicken: Preheat a grill or stovetop grill pan to medium-high heat. Grill the marinated chicken thighs for 5-7 minutes per side until cooked through and slightly charred. Remove from heat and allow chicken to rest for a few minutes before slicing thinly.
- Prepare the Feta Tzatziki: In a bowl, combine Greek yogurt, crumbled feta cheese, grated and drained cucumber, chopped fresh dill, salt, and pepper. Mix well until creamy. Refrigerate until ready to use.
- Warm the Pita Bread: Heat the pita bread rounds on the grill or in a pan for 1-2 minutes until soft and pliable.
- Assemble the Gyros: Spread a generous spoonful of creamy feta tzatziki onto each warm pita. Layer with sliced grilled chicken, shredded lettuce, thinly sliced red onion, and tomato slices. Garnish with fresh parsley.
- Serve: Wrap each assembled gyro neatly in parchment paper or foil for easy handling and serve immediately while warm and fresh.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken overnight enhances the flavor and tenderness.
- Ensure the grated cucumber is thoroughly drained to avoid watery tzatziki.
- You can substitute chicken thighs with chicken breasts if preferred, but thighs remain juicier.
- If a grill is unavailable, use a stovetop grill pan or skillet to cook the chicken.
- For a spicier gyro, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the marinade.
