Greek-Inspired Chicken Gyros Recipe

Ingredients

To create these delicious Greek-inspired chicken gyros, here’s what you’ll need:

For the Chicken Marinade:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs (thighs offer more flavor, but either works!)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Tzatziki Sauce:

• 1 cup Greek yogurt (preferably full-fat for extra creaminess)
• 1/2 cucumber (grated and drained of excess water)
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh dill (chopped)
• 1 clove garlic (minced)
• Salt and pepper to taste

For Assembling the Gyros:

• 4 pita bread (or flatbreads)
• 1 red onion (thinly sliced)
• 1 tomato (sliced)
• Fresh lettuce or spinach (optional)
• Feta cheese (crumbled, optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions for the Perfect Chicken Gyros

Marinating the Chicken: The Key to Flavorful Gyros

The first step in making delicious chicken gyros is marinating the chicken. Why marinate? Well, the marinade not only infuses the chicken with a medley of flavors, but it also helps keep the chicken tender and juicy during cooking. Here’s how you do it:

1. In a mixing bowl, combine the olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, dried oregano, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper. Stir until everything is well mixed.
2. Cut the chicken into thin strips or bite-sized chunks (this helps the flavors absorb faster and makes it easier to cook).
3. Add the chicken to the marinade, ensuring it’s fully coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 2 hours for deeper flavor).
4. While the chicken marinates, you can prepare the other components of the gyros.

Making the Creamy Tzatziki Sauce

Tzatziki sauce is the creamy, tangy counterpart to the spiced chicken. It’s a must-have component of any gyro, adding both coolness and flavor. Here’s how to make it:

1. Grate the cucumber using a box grater or food processor. After grating, place it in a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth and squeeze out the excess water. This ensures your tzatziki isn’t too watery.
2. In a bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, and fresh dill.
3. Mix well, and then season with salt and pepper to taste. Don’t be afraid to taste-test here—you want the perfect balance of tang and creaminess.
4. Refrigerate the tzatziki sauce until you’re ready to assemble the gyros. This allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.

Cooking the Chicken: The Perfect Sear

Now that the chicken is marinated, it’s time to cook it. You can either grill, pan-sear, or bake the chicken—each method will give you a slightly different result, but all are delicious.

1. For Grilling: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Place the chicken on the grill and cook for about 5-7 minutes per side, or until fully cooked and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
2. For Pan-Searing: Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer (you may need to cook in batches) and cook for 5-7 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through.
3. For Baking: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Spread the chicken on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is cooked through.