Mediterranean Chicken Gyros with Feta Tzatziki (Printable)

Charred chicken meets cool feta tzatziki with fresh veggies in soft pita breads for a satisfying Mediterranean meal.

# 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
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 Prepare:

01 - In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, oregano, thyme, paprika, cumin, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
02 - Add sliced chicken to the marinade, toss thoroughly to coat all pieces evenly, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight for optimal flavor development.
03 - Place the grated cucumber in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze firmly to remove as much liquid as possible, then set aside.
04 - In a medium bowl, combine the 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 the marinade, shaking off excess liquid. Cook in a single layer for 5 to 7 minutes per side until cooked through with light charring at the edges.
07 - Transfer cooked chicken to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing into thin strips.
08 - While the chicken rests, warm the pita breads in a dry skillet or wrapped in foil in a low oven for 2 to 3 minutes.
09 - Lay a warmed pita on a plate, spread a generous spoonful of tzatziki in the center, and layer with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, red onion slices, and Kalamata olives.
10 - Arrange sliced chicken on top, drizzle with additional tzatziki, garnish with fresh parsley or mint leaves, and serve immediately with lemon wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The feta folded into the tzatziki adds a creamy, salty richness that regular tzatziki just cant match.
  • Charred edges on the chicken give you that street cart flavor without leaving your kitchen.
  • Everything can be prepped ahead, so dinnertime is just assembly and a quick sear.
  • Its one of those recipes that looks impressive but comes together faster than you think.
02 -
  • Squeezing the cucumber dry is the single most important step for thick, creamy tzatziki.
  • Marinating the chicken for at least 2 hours makes a noticeable difference in flavor and tenderness.
  • Dont cook the chicken over heat thats too low or you wont get those crispy, charred edges.
  • Leftover tzatziki keeps for up to 3 days and tastes even better the next day.
03 -
  • Use a cast iron skillet or grill pan to get the best char on the chicken without drying it out.
  • If you cant find good fresh dill, a teaspoon of dried dill works in a pinch, but fresh is always better.
  • Squeeze lemon over the assembled gyro just before eating, it brightens everything and ties the flavors together.
  • For a richer variation, swap the chicken for thinly sliced leg of lamb and marinate it the same way.
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