Description
Greek Chicken Gyros with Tzatziki Sauce is a vibrant and flavorful Mediterranean dish featuring marinated chicken breast grilled or pan-cooked to perfection, served in warm pita bread with refreshing tzatziki sauce, Greek salad, and optional feta cheese. This recipe combines tangy yogurt, lemon, fresh herbs, and crisp vegetables to create a delicious and wholesome meal perfect for lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Marinade
- 2 lbs. Chicken Breast (cut into pieces)
- 1/4 cup Greek Yogurt
- 3 Tablespoons Fresh Lemon Juice
- 2 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 Tablespoon Red Wine Vinegar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Salt
- 1 teaspoon Pepper
- 2 teaspoons Oregano
Tzatziki Sauce
- 1 1/2 cups Greek Yogurt
- 2 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice
- 1 Tablespoon Red Wine Vinegar
- 1-2 teaspoons Salt
- 1 Tablespoon Fresh Dill (diced)
- 3 Garlic Cloves (finely diced)
- 1 cucumber (grated and squeezed to drain)
Greek Salad
- 3 Tomatoes (diced)
- 2 Cucumbers (peeled and diced)
- 1/4 Red Onion (diced)
- 2 Tablespoons Fresh Italian Parsley (diced)
- 1 Tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Salt and Pepper (to taste)
Assembly
- Feta Cheese (optional, for topping)
- 4-6 Greek Pita Breads (or Naan bread, or Flatbread)
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: Place chicken pieces in a bag with yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt, pepper, and oregano. Seal the bag and marinate for at least 30 minutes, ideally 2-4 hours, or up to 24 hours for maximum flavor infusion.
- Prepare the Tzatziki Sauce: In a bowl, combine Greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, salt, diced fresh dill, and finely diced garlic. Stir in the grated and well-drained cucumber, then taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Make the Greek Salad: In a separate bowl, mix diced tomatoes, peeled and diced cucumbers, diced red onion, diced Italian parsley, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Toss everything to coat evenly and set aside.
- Cook the Chicken (Grill Method): If grilling, thread the marinated chicken pieces onto skewers. Preheat grill to medium heat and cook chicken for 5-7 minutes on each side or until fully cooked and juices run clear.
- Cook the Chicken (Skillet Method): Alternatively, heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add a light drizzle of oil. Cook the chicken pieces for 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until fully cooked and golden brown on the outside.
- Assemble the Gyros: Warm the pita breads to make them pliable. Place cooked chicken inside each pita, top generously with tzatziki sauce and Greek salad. Add feta cheese if desired, then fold and serve immediately.
Notes
- The marination time affects flavor intensity; longer marination yields more tender and flavorful chicken.
- Squeezing excess water from the grated cucumber is important to avoid watery tzatziki sauce.
- Chicken can be cooked either on the grill or skillet depending on your preference or available equipment.
- Warm pita bread before assembly to make the gyros easier to fold and eat.
- Feel free to customize toppings with olives, hot sauce, or additional fresh herbs.
