Description
Enjoy a fresh and flavorful Mediterranean Delight with these Greek Chicken Gyros served with homemade cucumber tzatziki, fresh salad, and warm pita bread. This recipe combines marinated grilled chicken thighs with creamy tzatziki and crisp vegetables for a perfect handheld meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Marinade
- 2 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp white wine vinegar
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tbsp Greek yogurt (full fat)
- 1½ tbsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- Black pepper, to taste
Tzatziki Sauce
- 2 cucumbers, grated and drained
- 1¼ cups Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- ¼ tsp salt
- Black pepper, to taste
Salad
- 3 tomatoes, diced
- 3 cucumbers, diced
- ½ red onion, finely chopped
- ¼ cup parsley (optional)
- Salt & pepper to taste
To Serve
- 4–6 pita breads or flatbreads, warmed
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: Place all marinade ingredients including garlic, white wine vinegar, lemon juice, olive oil, Greek yogurt, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper into a ziplock bag and mix well to combine the flavors.
- Marinate the Chicken: Add the chicken thighs to the marinade bag, seal, and massage to coat the chicken evenly. Refrigerate and marinate for 3 to 12 hours to allow deep flavor absorption.
- Make the Tzatziki Sauce: Grate the cucumbers, then drain excess liquid thoroughly. In a bowl, combine the grated cucumber with Greek yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix well and set aside.
- Prepare the Salad: In a separate bowl, combine the diced tomatoes, cucumbers, finely chopped red onion, and parsley if using. Season with salt and pepper to taste and toss gently.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a grill or large skillet over medium-high heat and add a small amount of oil to prevent sticking. Place the marinated chicken thighs on the heat and cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through.
- Rest and Slice: Remove the chicken from heat and let it rest for 5 minutes to retain juices. Then slice the chicken into thin strips.
- Warm the Pita Bread: Warm the pita breads or flatbreads in a dry skillet or oven until soft and pliable for wrapping.
- Assemble the Gyros: Lay a warmed pita bread flat, spread a layer of salad in the center, add sliced chicken on top, and generously spoon tzatziki sauce over. Wrap the pita around the filling, securing with parchment paper by twisting the ends to hold the gyro together.
- Serve Immediately: Serve the gyros hot for immediate enjoyment, perfect for a Mediterranean lunch or dinner.
Notes
- For best results, marinate the chicken overnight or for at least 6 hours to maximize flavor.
- Be sure to drain the grated cucumbers well to prevent watery tzatziki.
- You can substitute chicken thighs with chicken breast if you prefer leaner meat.
- Warm the pita bread just before assembling to keep it soft and flexible.
- Optional: Add sliced red onions or crumbled feta cheese for extra zing.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean, Greek
Keywords: Greek Chicken Gyros, Mediterranean Chicken, Tzatziki Sauce, Grilled Chicken Thighs, Pita Wrap, Healthy Lunch, Greek Salad, Mediterranean Recipe
