Greek Chicken Gyros with Tzatziki Sauce
Last week while I was sitting near the window, and watching the continuous rain, my mind was dreaming about Greece- the sunshine, the deep blue seas and the sandy beaches. Visiting this gem of the Mediterranean has always been my dream. Since a vacation to Greece seems off limits at the moment, I decided to make a delicious Greek- inspired dinner to taste my way around the world without leaving the house.
Gyros is one of the most popular street food of Greece. The word 'gyros' is derived from 'gheereezo', which means 'to turn', referring to the constantly rotating vertical spit on which the meat is cooked. It consists of pieces of meat (like chicken,lamb, beef or pork) cooked on a rotisserie and then wrapped in a pita or flatbread along with tzatziki sauce and vegetable such as tomatoes, onions and lettuce.
Though they seem completely out of the realm of home cooking, they’re incredibly easy to make. This Chicken Gyros is every bit as delicious as your favorite Greek restaurant. The combination of tender, juicy chicken, homemade creamy tzatziki sauce and fresh crisp vegetables tucked in a warm pita bread is out of the world!
What kind of Meat can be used for this Recipe?
I would recommend using skinless, skinless chicken thighs for this recipe. They stay juicier, compared to chicken breast and do not get dried out by the time you get it charred on the outside.
Are you looking for other Lunch/Dinner Recipes ? You can also check out my One Pan Honey Glazed Salmon , Baked Orange Chicken and One Pan Roasted Chicken and Vegetables
These Chicken Gyros are perfect for entertaining a crowd because you can prepare everything ahead of time and then everyone can assemble their gyro just how they like them.
Recipe Notes
- I suggest whipping up the chicken marinade the previous night, to allow the protein to fully soak in the flavors.
- The tzatziki sauce can be made ahead as well and kept chilled in the refrigerator.
- You can store the cooked chicken pieces in an air tight container in the refrigerator for 3- 4 days.
- It is best to assemble the gyros just before you eat them, as the as the pre-assembled gyros won’t keep well and will become soggy.
- For a low- carb meal, skip the pita bread, and make a healthy Chicken Gyro Salad. Serve these flavorful chicken pieces on top of a salad bowl with a big dollop of tzatziki to finish it all off!
If you make this recipe, I would love to know how it turned out! Please let me know by leaving a comment below.
Ingredients:
-
For the Chicken Marinade
- 650 gm skinless, boneless chicken thighs
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon cumin ground
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon paprika powder
- 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
- 1 teaspoon pepper or to taste
- 2 cups shredded romaine lettuce
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
- 1 red onion, thinly sliced
- 3/4 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup grated cucumber, squeezed dry
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh dill
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
For Assembling the Gyros
For the Tzatziki Sauce
Instructions:
- To make the tzatziki sauce, combine Greek yogurt, cucumber, dill, lemon juice, lemon zest and garlic; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Set aside in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
- In a bowl, combine the marinade ingredients, add the chicken to the marinade and toss to coat. Marinate at least for 30 minutes (or up to two hours for more added flavor).
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sear the chicken pieces for 6-7 minutes on each side until they turn brown and are cooked through.
- Heat a large skillet on medium heat and lightly spray with cooking oil.
- To assemble, arrange the pita bread over a plate. Fill them with the cooked chicken, romaine lettuce, tomatoes, red onion and the prepared tzatziki sauce.
- Serve immediately!
Wonderful recipe... A must try! 😃
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