Description
This Homemade Chicken Gyros recipe brings the authentic flavors of Greek street food right to your kitchen. Tender, marinated chicken grilled to perfection is paired with a refreshing tzatziki sauce, fresh vegetables, and warm pita bread for a delicious and satisfying meal. Perfect for a casual dinner or entertaining guests, these gyros are easy to prepare and bursting with Mediterranean flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Marinade
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast (cut into strips or cubes for even cooking)
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (freshly squeezed from one medium lemon)
- 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Tzatziki Sauce
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 medium cucumber, grated and drained
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped finely
- Salt, to taste
Gyro Assembly
- 4 pieces pita bread, warmed
- 2 medium ripe tomatoes, diced
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Prepare marinade: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until well combined to form the marinade base.
- Marinate chicken: Add the chicken pieces to the marinade, making sure each piece is thoroughly coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to infuse.
- Make tzatziki sauce: In a separate bowl, mix the plain Greek yogurt, grated and drained cucumber, chopped fresh dill, and a pinch of salt. Stir well and chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
- Grill chicken: Preheat a grill to medium-high heat. Place the marinated chicken on the grill and cook for 6-8 minutes per side, or until the chicken is fully cooked and has nice grill marks.
- Warm pita bread: While the chicken is grilling, warm the pita bread on the grill for 1-2 minutes on each side until pliable and slightly toasted.
- Rest and chop chicken: Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes. Then chop into bite-sized pieces suitable for filling the gyros.
- Assemble gyros: Lay the warm pita bread flat and layer with grilled chicken pieces, diced tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, and a generous spoonful of tzatziki sauce.
- Serve immediately: Wrap the filled pita bread securely and serve the delicious chicken gyros immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- For a spicier marinade, add a pinch of red chili flakes or ground paprika.
- Make sure to drain the cucumber well to avoid watery tzatziki sauce.
- You can substitute chicken breast with boneless thighs for juicier meat.
- If you don’t have a grill, cooking the chicken on a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat works well.
- Leftover gyro fillings can be stored separately in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
