Greek Chicken Gyros with Lemon-Herb Marinade and Tzatziki Recipe

Introduction

Greek Chicken Gyros with Lemon-Herb Marinade and Tzatziki are a vibrant and flavorful dish perfect for a quick and satisfying meal. Tender chicken marinated in zesty lemon and herbs pairs beautifully with cool, creamy tzatziki, all wrapped in warm pita bread. This recipe brings a taste of the Mediterranean right to your kitchen.

A white plate on a white marbled surface holds a warm pita topped with a colorful mix of layers. At the base, thin slices of red onion peep out, followed by halved red cherry tomatoes arranged around the edge. Piled high are multiple pieces of golden-brown grilled chicken strips with grill marks, stacked in the center. On top is a generous dollop of creamy white sauce sprinkled with chopped green herbs. The textures range from the soft pita, juicy vegetables, slightly charred chicken, to the smooth sauce. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 1 lb chicken breast
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 4 pita breads
  • 1 cup tzatziki sauce
  • 1 cup chopped lettuce
  • 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup sliced red onion

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, mix olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper to create the marinade.
  2. Step 2: Cut the chicken breast into strips and add them to the marinade, ensuring each piece is well-coated. Cover and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Preheat a grill or skillet over medium-high heat.
  4. Step 4: Cook the marinated chicken strips for 5-7 minutes on each side, or until fully cooked and no longer pink inside.
  5. Step 5: Warm the pita breads on the grill for about one minute to make them soft and pliable.
  6. Step 6: Assemble the gyros by layering cooked chicken, tzatziki sauce, chopped lettuce, diced tomatoes, and sliced red onion inside each warm pita.
  7. Step 7: Serve immediately and enjoy your flavorful Greek Chicken Gyros!

Tips & Variations

  • Marinate the chicken overnight for deeper flavor.
  • Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F for safe cooking.
  • Try adding feta cheese or olives for extra Mediterranean flair.
  • Replace pita with whole wheat or gluten-free options as needed.
  • For a spicy twist, add cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the marinade.

Storage

Store leftover chicken and toppings separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat the chicken gently before assembling fresh gyros. Avoid storing assembled gyros to keep the pita from getting soggy.

How to Serve

The image shows a stack of grilled chicken strips, golden brown with char marks, piled high on a round white plate. The chicken pieces are placed over a layer of light beige flatbread, which is slightly folded around the edges. Below the chicken, there are thin slices of purple onion and halved bright red cherry tomatoes peeking through. On top of the chicken pile, there is a dollop of white creamy sauce with small green herb pieces sprinkled finely all over it. The plate sits on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other meats for this recipe?

Absolutely! Pork, lamb, or shrimp can be great alternatives. Just adjust cooking times to ensure the meat is fully cooked.

How can I make the tzatziki sauce from scratch?

Mix Greek yogurt with grated cucumber, minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and a pinch of salt. It’s quick, easy, and refreshingly delicious.

Print

Greek Chicken Gyros with Lemon-Herb Marinade and Tzatziki Recipe

Greek Chicken Gyros featuring tender chicken breast marinated in a bright lemon-herb mixture, grilled to perfection, and served in warm pita bread with creamy tzatziki sauce, fresh lettuce, tomatoes, and sliced red onions. A delicious and authentic Mediterranean dish perfect for a quick, flavorful meal.

  • Author: lea
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Grilling
  • Cuisine: Greek
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken and Marinade

  • 1 lb chicken breast, cut into strips
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

For Assembling the Gyros

  • 4 pita breads
  • 1 cup tzatziki sauce
  • 1 cup chopped lettuce
  • 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup sliced red onion

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, combine olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly to create a zesty marinade that will infuse the chicken with vibrant flavors.
  2. Marinate the Chicken: Add the chicken strips to the marinade, ensuring each piece is well coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or overnight for deeper flavor.
  3. Preheat Grill or Skillet: Heat your grill or skillet over medium-high heat to get a hot cooking surface that will sear the chicken beautifully and lock in juices.
  4. Cook the Chicken: Place marinated chicken strips onto the hot grill or skillet. Cook for 5-7 minutes per side until the chicken is fully cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. The chicken should have a golden crust and be juicy inside.
  5. Warm the Pita Breads: While the chicken cooks, warm the pita breads on the grill for about 1 minute to make them soft, warm, and pliable for wrapping.
  6. Assemble the Gyros: Lay a warm pita flat and layer with cooked chicken strips, a generous spoonful of tzatziki sauce, chopped lettuce, diced tomatoes, and sliced red onion. Customize with additional toppings if desired.
  7. Serve and Enjoy: Serve the assembled gyros immediately while warm. Optionally serve extra tzatziki sauce on the side for dipping.

Notes

  • For maximum flavor, marinate the chicken overnight.
  • Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F for safe consumption.
  • Warming pita breads makes them more pliable and improves overall texture.
  • Optional toppings like feta cheese or olives add delicious salty or briny notes.
  • Make extra tzatziki sauce to serve as a crowd pleasing dip.

Keywords: Greek Chicken Gyros, Lemon-Herb Marinade, Tzatziki, Greek Cuisine, Grilled Chicken, Mediterranean Recipe, Pita Wraps

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us — we can’t wait to see what you’ve made!

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating