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Greek Chicken Gyros with Tzatziki Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 86 reviews

This Greek Chicken Gyros recipe features juicy marinated chicken thigh fillets grilled to perfection, served with creamy homemade tzatziki sauce, fresh tomato and cucumber salad, and warm pita bread. A delicious and authentic Mediterranean meal perfect for a flavorful and satisfying lunch or dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken Marinade

  • 2 lb / 1 kg chicken thigh fillets, boneless skinless
  • 3 large garlic cloves, minced (~3 tsp)
  • 1 tbsp white wine vinegar (or red wine or apple cider vinegar)
  • 3 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tbsp Greek yogurt, preferably full fat
  • 1 1/2 tbsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp salt
  • Black pepper, to taste

Tzatziki Sauce

  • 2 cucumbers (to make about 1/2 – 3/4 cup grated cucumber after squeezing out juice)
  • 1 1/4 cups Greek yogurt, preferably full fat
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (or more for richer flavor)
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • Black pepper, to taste

Salad

  • 3 tomatoes, deseeded and diced
  • 3 cucumbers, diced
  • 1/2 red Spanish onion, peeled and finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves (optional)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

To Serve

  • 4 to 6 pita breads or flatbreads

Instructions

  1. Marinate the Chicken: Place the marinade ingredients (garlic, vinegar, lemon juice, olive oil, Greek yogurt, oregano, salt, and black pepper) into a ziplock bag. Add chicken thighs and massage the marinade into the chicken ensuring every piece is well coated. Seal the bag and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably 3 hours, ideally up to 12 hours, but no longer than 24 hours.
  2. Prepare the Tzatziki Sauce: Cut the cucumbers in half lengthwise and scrape out the watery seeds with a teaspoon. Grate the cucumber coarsely with a box grater. Wrap the grated cucumber in paper towels or a tea towel and squeeze thoroughly to remove excess liquid.
  3. Mix the Tzatziki: Place the squeezed grated cucumber in a bowl. Add Greek yogurt, lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine. Cover and set aside for at least 20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
  4. Make the Salad: In a separate bowl, combine deseeded and diced tomatoes, diced cucumbers, finely chopped red onion, and fresh parsley (if using). Season with salt and pepper to taste. Toss well and set aside.
  5. Cook the Chicken: Preheat the outdoor grill to medium-high heat and brush with oil, or heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade and cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Cooking time will vary with chicken size. Once cooked, transfer to a plate and loosely cover with foil to rest for 5 minutes.
  6. Assemble the Gyros: Warm the pita breads or flatbreads if desired. Place a piece of parchment or foil on the work surface. Add a layer of salad in the middle of the bread, top with cooked chicken pieces (cut into smaller pieces if necessary), and finish with a generous dollop of tzatziki sauce.
  7. Wrap and Serve: Roll the pita or flatbread around the filling and enclose it with the parchment or foil. Twist the ends of the parchment to secure the wrap and cut in half if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy. Alternatively, lay everything out for a DIY gyro assembly at the table.

Notes

  • For best flavor, marinate the chicken overnight but no longer than 24 hours to avoid overly soft texture.
  • Squeezing the grated cucumber well is essential to prevent watery tzatziki sauce.
  • If you don’t have access to an outdoor grill, cooking the chicken in a skillet or frying pan works equally well.
  • Use full-fat Greek yogurt for the creamiest tzatziki and marinade.
  • Adjust garlic and lemon juice quantities in the tzatziki according to your taste preference.
  • Serve with extra lemon wedges and fresh parsley for garnish if desired.

Keywords: Greek chicken gyros, tzatziki, grilled chicken, Mediterranean recipe, pita wrap, chicken shawarma

Find it online: https://thedishspot.com/greek-chicken-gyros-with-tzatziki-recipe/