Description
Greek-Style Chicken Gyros with Homemade Tzatziki is a flavorful and fresh dish featuring marinated grilled chicken served with a creamy homemade tzatziki sauce, crisp Greek salad, and warm pita bread. Perfect for a Mediterranean-inspired meal that everyone will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Marinade
- 2 lbs. Chicken Breast, cut into pieces
- 1/4 cup Greek Yogurt
- 3 Tablespoons Fresh Lemon Juice
- 2 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 Tablespoon Red Wine Vinegar
- 1 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Pepper
- 2 teaspoons Oregano
Tzatziki Sauce
- 1 1/2 cups Greek Yogurt
- 2 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice
- 1 Tablespoon Red Wine Vinegar
- 1–2 teaspoons Salt
- 1 Tablespoon Fresh Dill, diced
- 3 Garlic Cloves, finely diced
- 1 Cucumber, grated and squeezed to drain
Greek Salad
- 3 Tomatoes, diced
- 2 Cucumbers, peeled and diced
- 1/4 Red Onion, diced
- 2 Tablespoons Fresh Italian Parsley, diced
- 1 Tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Other
- Feta Cheese, for topping
- 4–6 Greek Pita Breads, Naan, or Flatbread
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken pieces, Greek yogurt, fresh lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt, pepper, and oregano in a resealable plastic bag. Seal the bag and massage the marinade to coat the chicken evenly. Refrigerate and let marinate for at least 30 minutes, preferably 2-4 hours, or ideally 24 hours for maximum flavor.
- Prepare the Tzatziki Sauce: In a mixing bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, salt, diced fresh dill, and finely chopped garlic. Stir well until the mixture is smooth. Fold in the grated cucumber, which has been squeezed to remove excess water, and mix thoroughly. Adjust seasoning with additional salt if necessary and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Make the Greek Salad: In a large bowl, combine diced tomatoes, peeled and diced cucumbers, diced red onion, and fresh Italian parsley. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste, and toss the salad gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
- Cook the Chicken: Choose your cooking method. For grilling: thread chicken pieces onto skewers and grill over medium heat for 5-7 minutes per side, or until the chicken is cooked through and juices run clear. For skillet cooking: heat a tablespoon of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken and cook for 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and fully cooked.
- Warm the Pita Bread and Assemble Gyros: Warm the pita breads, naan, or flatbreads until soft and pliable. Place cooked chicken pieces inside each pita, then top generously with homemade tzatziki sauce, a helping of Greek salad, and sprinkle with crumbled feta cheese if desired. Fold and serve immediately for the best taste and texture.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken longer, ideally 24 hours, enhances flavor and tenderness.
- You can grill the chicken on an outdoor grill or use a grill pan indoors.
- Adjust the amount of garlic in the tzatziki according to your preference for pungency.
- Drain grated cucumber well to prevent watery tzatziki sauce.
- Serve gyros immediately after assembling to maintain pita bread softness.
- Optional toppings include sliced red onions, extra parsley, or hot peppers for heat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Greek
