Mediterranean Chicken Gyros with Feta Tzatziki (Printable Version)

Charred marinated chicken meets cool feta tzatziki with fresh vegetables in warm pita breads for a satisfying Mediterranean meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken Marinade

01 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
02 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
05 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
06 - 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
07 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
08 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
09 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
10 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
11 - 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, thinly sliced

→ Creamy Feta Tzatziki

12 - 1 cup full-fat Greek yogurt
13 - 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
14 - 1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded, grated, and excess water squeezed out
15 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
16 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
17 - 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
18 - 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh dill
19 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Assembly and Serving

20 - 4 to 6 pita breads or flatbreads
21 - 1 cup shredded romaine lettuce
22 - 1 cup diced ripe tomatoes
23 - 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
24 - 1/4 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
25 - Fresh parsley or mint leaves for garnish
26 - Lemon wedges for serving

# Directions:

01 - In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, oregano, thyme, paprika, cumin, cayenne if using, salt, and pepper until well combined.
02 - Add sliced chicken to the marinade, toss to coat thoroughly, cover, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight for deeper flavor development.
03 - Place the grated cucumber in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze firmly to remove as much liquid as possible, ensuring a thick and creamy tzatziki consistency.
04 - In a medium bowl, combine the drained cucumber, Greek yogurt, crumbled feta, minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and chopped dill. Stir until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste, cover, and refrigerate.
05 - Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Add a drizzle of olive oil if the pan is not nonstick.
06 - Remove chicken from marinade, shaking off excess. Cook in a single layer for 5 to 7 minutes per side, or until cooked through and lightly charred at the edges.
07 - Transfer cooked chicken to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes. Slice into thin strips.
08 - While chicken rests, warm pita breads in a dry skillet or wrapped in foil in a low oven for 2 to 3 minutes until pliable and heated through.
09 - Lay a warmed pita on a plate, spread a generous spoonful of creamy feta tzatziki in the center, and top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, red onion slices, and Kalamata olives.
10 - Arrange sliced chicken on top, drizzle with extra tzatziki, and garnish with fresh parsley or mint leaves. Serve immediately with lemon wedges for squeezing.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • The feta melts slightly into the tzatziki creating little pockets of tangy creaminess that commercial versions never achieve.
  • The quick marinade works its magic in just 30 minutes, making this totally doable on weeknights when you need a mental vacation to the Mediterranean.
02 -
  • The difference between good and magnificent gyros lies in resting the cooked chicken for a full 5 minutes before slicing, allowing juices to redistribute rather than spilling onto your cutting board.
  • Pat your cucumber dry three times if necessary, as even a tablespoon of extra moisture will turn your tzatziki into soup within minutes of assembly.
03 -
  • For maximum juiciness, slice your chicken against the grain after resting, looking for the direction of muscle fibers and cutting perpendicular to them rather than parallel.
  • Reserve a tablespoon of the chicken marinade and mix it into the tzatziki for a subtle flavor connection that makes the entire gyro taste more cohesive and intentional.
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