Mediterranean Chicken Gyros with Feta Tzatziki (Printable)

Charred marinated chicken with tangy feta tzatziki, crisp vegetables, and warm pita for a Mediterranean delight.

# Ingredient list:

→ 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 squeezed out
15 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
16 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
17 - 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
18 - 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh dill
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 It:

01 - In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, thyme, paprika, cumin, cayenne if using, salt, and pepper until fully combined.
02 - Add sliced chicken to marinade, toss thoroughly to coat all pieces, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight for deeper flavor development.
03 - Place grated cucumber in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze firmly to remove as much liquid as possible to achieve a thick consistency.
04 - In a medium bowl, combine drained cucumber, Greek yogurt, crumbled feta, minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and chopped dill. Stir until smooth and creamy, season with salt and pepper to taste, cover, and refrigerate.
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.
06 - Remove chicken from marinade, shaking off excess liquid. Cook in a single layer for 5 to 7 minutes per side, or until cooked through with lightly charred edges.
07 - Transfer cooked chicken to a cutting board and allow to rest for 5 minutes, then slice into thin strips.
08 - While chicken rests, warm pita breads in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes or wrap in foil and warm in a 300°F oven.
09 - 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.
10 - Arrange sliced chicken on top of the fresh vegetables, drizzle with additional tzatziki, garnish with fresh parsley or mint leaves, and serve immediately with lemon wedges.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The feta tzatziki is creamy, tangy, and so much better than anything you can buy in a store.
  • Chicken thighs stay juicy and tender even when you char them hard for that crispy edge.
  • Everything comes together in about an hour, but it tastes like you spent all afternoon cooking.
  • Leftovers actually get better the next day when the flavors have had time to settle in.
02 -
  • If you don't squeeze the cucumber dry, your tzatziki will be watery and runny, no matter how thick your yogurt is.
  • Marinating the chicken for at least 2 hours transforms it from good to unforgettable; overnight is even better.
  • Don't flip the chicken too early or it won't get those crispy, charred edges that make gyros so addictive.
03 -
  • Use a meat mallet to gently pound the chicken thighs to an even thickness so they cook evenly and quickly.
  • If your skillet isn't hot enough, the chicken will steam and turn gray instead of getting those beautiful charred bits.
  • Make a double batch of tzatziki; it's incredible as a dip for vegetables, pita chips, or dolloped onto grilled fish.
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