Description
Homemade greek chicken gyros bring Mediterranean flavors straight to kitchen tables with authentic Greek spices and techniques. Crisp pita bread wraps succulent marinated chicken, creating a delicious meal you can easily prepare at home.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs (0.9 kg) chicken thighs, fat removed
- 1.25 cups whole fat Greek yogurt (for tzatziki)
- 0.5 cup whole fat Greek yogurt (for marinade)
- 4 pita or lavash bread wraps
- 6 oz (170 g) feta cheese
- 2 tbsps olive oil (for marinade)
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for tzatziki)
- 2 tomatoes, cubed
- 1 small red onion, sliced
- 1 head lettuce, sliced
- 2 tbsps lemon juice (for marinade)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice (for tzatziki)
- 1 tbsp minced garlic (for marinade)
- 0.5 tbsp finely chopped or minced garlic (for tzatziki)
- 1 tbsp oregano
- 2 tbsps chopped dill
- 1 cucumber, peeled, grated and squeezed
- 2 tsps red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp sea salt (for marinade)
- Salt and pepper to taste (for tzatziki)
- Pepper to taste (for marinade)
Instructions
- Marinate: Whisk olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl. Immerse chicken thoroughly, ensuring complete coverage. Refrigerate 4-6 hours or overnight for maximum flavor infusion.
- Prepare Chicken: Remove marinated chicken 30 minutes before cooking. Heat grill or skillet to medium-high (375-400°F). Grill chicken 3-4 minutes per side, creating crosshatch marks, until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Rest for 5 minutes, then slice diagonally against the grain.
- Craft Tzatziki: Halve cucumber, remove seeds, and grate. Squeeze out excess moisture using a kitchen towel. Blend grated cucumber with Greek yogurt, garlic, dill, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Refrigerate 15-20 minutes to blend flavors.
- Assemble Gyros: Warm pita bread on skillet for 30-45 seconds per side. Spread tzatziki sauce generously, layer with warm chicken strips, fresh lettuce, and diced tomatoes. Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese on top.
- Serve: Carefully fold or roll gyro, tucking sides to secure filling. Enjoy immediately while ingredients remain warm and fresh.
Notes
- Marinate Strategically: Letting chicken soak overnight maximizes flavor absorption and tenderizes meat, transforming an average dish into a restaurant-quality experience.
- Temperature Matters: Bringing meat to room temperature before grilling ensures even cooking and prevents dry, tough chicken by promoting uniform heat distribution.
- Moisture Management: Thoroughly squeezing cucumber removes excess water, preventing tzatziki from becoming watery and maintaining a creamy, rich sauce consistency.
- Assembly Technique: Fold gyro carefully by tucking sides inward to create a secure wrap, preventing ingredients from spilling and ensuring each bite contains perfect flavor balance.
- Prep Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg