Description
A delicious recipe for Greek Chicken Gyros featuring tender, marinated grilled chicken breasts served in warm pita bread with fresh vegetables and homemade creamy tzatziki sauce. This classic Mediterranean dish combines a lemon-herb marinade and cooling yogurt sauce for a flavorful and satisfying meal perfect for lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Garnishes
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 4 Greek pita breads or flatbreads
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cups chopped lettuce
- 2 tomatoes, diced
- 1 cucumber, sliced
Lemon-Herb Marinade
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Homemade Tzatziki Sauce
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 cucumber, grated and drained
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, oregano, thyme, salt, and black pepper to prepare the marinade.
- Marinate the Chicken: Place chicken breasts in a large resealable bag and pour the marinade over. Seal and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or preferably overnight, turning occasionally to coat evenly.
- Preheat the Grill: Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat to ensure it’s hot for cooking the chicken evenly.
- Grill the Chicken: Remove chicken from marinade, shake off excess liquid, and grill for about 6-7 minutes per side until fully cooked and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
- Rest and Slice Chicken: Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes after grilling to retain juices, then slice thinly for the gyros.
- Prepare Tzatziki Sauce: In a separate bowl, combine Greek yogurt, grated and drained cucumber, lemon juice, chopped dill, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix well and set aside for flavors to meld.
- Warm the Pita Breads: Place pita breads on the grill for about 1-2 minutes per side until soft and heated through.
- Assemble the Gyros: On each warmed pita, layer sliced chicken, followed by sliced red onion, chopped lettuce, diced tomatoes, and cucumber slices.
- Add the Tzatziki: Drizzle generously with the homemade tzatziki sauce to add creamy, tangy flavor.
- Serve: Fold the pita over the filling and optionally wrap with foil or parchment paper for easy handling and serving.
Notes
- For best results, marinate the chicken overnight to maximize flavor and tenderness.
- Be sure to drain the grated cucumber well to prevent watery tzatziki sauce.
- You can substitute chicken breasts with thighs for juicier meat if preferred.
- This recipe works equally well on an outdoor grill or a grill pan if stovetop cooking is preferred.
- Serve immediately after assembling for the best texture and freshness.
