Mediterranean Chicken Gyros with Feta Tzatziki (Printable Version)

Charred marinated chicken wrapped with feta tzatziki, crisp vegetables, and olives in warm pita bread.

# What You 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 - ½ teaspoon ground cumin
08 - ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
09 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
10 - ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
11 - 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, thinly sliced

→ Creamy Feta Tzatziki

12 - 1 cup full-fat Greek yogurt
13 - ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
14 - 1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded, grated, and excess water removed
15 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
16 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
17 - 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
18 - 1 tablespoon fresh dill, finely chopped
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 - ½ red onion, thinly sliced
24 - ¼ cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
25 - Fresh parsley or mint leaves for garnish
26 - Lemon wedges for serving

# How To Make:

01 - In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, oregano, thyme, paprika, cumin, cayenne pepper if using, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
02 - Add sliced chicken to the marinade, toss thoroughly to coat all pieces, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight for enhanced flavor development.
03 - While chicken marinates, place grated cucumber in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze firmly to remove excess liquid. In a medium bowl, combine drained cucumber, Greek yogurt, crumbled feta, minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and fresh dill. Stir until smooth and creamy, season with salt and pepper to taste, cover, and refrigerate.
04 - Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Add a drizzle of olive oil if using a non-nonstick pan to prevent sticking.
05 - Remove chicken from marinade, shaking off excess liquid. Place chicken in a single layer in the hot pan and cook for 5 to 7 minutes per side until cooked through with lightly charred edges.
06 - Transfer cooked chicken to a cutting board and allow to rest for 5 minutes. Slice into thin strips.
07 - While chicken rests, warm pita breads in a dry skillet or wrapped in foil in a low oven at 300°F for 2 to 3 minutes until soft and pliable.
08 - Lay a warmed pita on a serving plate, spread a generous spoonful of creamy feta tzatziki in the center, and layer with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, red onion slices, and Kalamata olives.
09 - Top assembled gyros with sliced chicken, drizzle with additional tzatziki sauce, and garnish with fresh parsley or mint leaves. Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side.

# Cooking Tips:

01 -
  • The marinade does all the heavy lifting while you get everything else ready.
  • Feta tzatziki is richer and tangier than the classic, and it clings to every bite.
  • You get crispy charred edges on the chicken without firing up a grill.
  • Its endlessly customizable with whatever crunchy vegetables you have on hand.
02 -
  • Squeeze the cucumber until your hands hurt, or the tzatziki will be runny and sad.
  • Slice the chicken thin before marinating so it cooks fast and absorbs more flavor.
  • Dont skip resting the chicken, those 5 minutes make it tender instead of dry.
03 -
  • Marinate the chicken for at least 2 hours if you have the time, the flavor difference is huge.
  • Use a hot pan and resist the urge to move the chicken around, let it sit and char.
  • Taste the tzatziki before serving and adjust the lemon, garlic, or salt to your liking.
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