Mediterranean Chicken Gyros with Feta Tzatziki (Printable View)

Charred marinated chicken with tangy feta tzatziki, fresh vegetables, and warm pita for authentic Mediterranean flavor.

# 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 - 1.5 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 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 - 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

# How to Make It:

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 and toss thoroughly to coat all pieces evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or preferably overnight for deeper flavor development.
03 - While chicken marinates, place grated cucumber in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze firmly to remove as much liquid as possible, ensuring a thick and creamy sauce.
04 - 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, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover and refrigerate until serving.
05 - Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Add a light drizzle of olive oil if the pan is not nonstick to prevent sticking.
06 - Remove chicken from marinade, shaking off excess liquid. Cook in a single layer for 5 to 7 minutes per side until cooked through and lightly charred at the edges.
07 - Transfer cooked chicken to a cutting board and allow to rest for 5 minutes. Slice into thin strips to preserve juiciness and ensure even distribution.
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 each 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 halved Kalamata olives.
10 - Arrange sliced chicken on top of vegetables, drizzle with additional tzatziki sauce, and garnish with fresh parsley or mint leaves. Serve immediately with lemon wedges for flavor adjustment.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The feta tzatziki is thick, creamy, and tangy enough to make you forget store bought sauces exist.
  • Marinated chicken gets charred edges that taste like summer even in the middle of winter.
  • Everything comes together in under an hour, but it feels like you spent all day planning something special.
  • Leftovers reheat beautifully and the tzatziki only gets better after a night in the fridge.
02 -
  • If you don't squeeze the water out of the cucumber, your tzatziki will be watery and slide right off the gyro.
  • Letting the chicken rest after cooking keeps it juicy instead of dry and disappointing.
  • Warming the pita makes all the difference between a gyro that holds together and one that cracks and falls apart.
03 -
  • Marinate the chicken for at least two hours or overnight if you have the time, the flavor difference is huge.
  • Use a meat mallet to pound the chicken thinner before slicing so it cooks faster and gets more surface area for charring.
  • Make a double batch of tzatziki because it disappears fast and works as a dip for everything from veggies to chips.
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