Description
This Greek Chicken Gyros recipe features tender marinated chicken thighs grilled to perfection, served with a refreshing homemade tzatziki sauce and fresh vegetables wrapped in warm pita bread. Perfect for a flavorful Mediterranean-inspired meal ready in just 35 minutes of active cooking time.
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
To Assemble
- 4 pita breads
- 1 tomato, sliced
- 1 red onion, thinly sliced
- Fresh lettuce leaves
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, mix olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and pepper thoroughly to create a flavorful marinade.
- Marinate the Chicken: Add the chicken thighs to the marinade and coat them well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to infuse the flavors; marinating overnight is ideal for best taste.
- Make the Tzatziki Sauce: In another bowl, combine Greek yogurt, grated and well-drained cucumber, minced garlic, lemon juice, chopped dill, salt, and pepper. Mix until well incorporated.
- Chill Tzatziki: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the tzatziki sauce for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld and intensify.
- Heat Grill or Skillet: Preheat your grill or a skillet over medium-high heat to get it ready for cooking the chicken.
- Cook the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the marinade and cook each side for 6-7 minutes until fully cooked through and slightly charred for a smoky flavor.
- Rest and Slice: Let the chicken rest for a few minutes after cooking to retain juices, then slice thinly for serving.
- Warm the Pita Bread: Place the pita breads on the grill or in a dry skillet and warm each for about 1 minute until soft and pliable.
- Assemble the Gyros: Lay slices of cooked chicken onto each warm pita bread.
- Add Vegetables: Top the chicken with fresh tomato slices, thinly sliced red onion, and crisp lettuce leaves.
- Add Tzatziki Sauce: Spoon a generous amount of chilled tzatziki sauce over the fillings for creamy tang.
- Serve: Fold or roll up the pita wraps and enjoy your delicious homemade Greek chicken gyros immediately.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken overnight enhances the flavor but is not mandatory.
- Be sure to drain the grated cucumber well to avoid a watery tzatziki sauce.
- Use fresh dill for best flavor, but dried can be substituted in a pinch.
- You can add extra toppings like feta cheese or olives for variation.
- For lower fat, use non-fat Greek yogurt in the tzatziki sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Greek
