Mediterranean Chicken Gyros with Creamy Feta Tzatziki (Printer-Friendly)

Charred chicken thighs with creamy feta tzatziki, fresh vegetables, and warm pita breads for a satisfying Mediterranean-inspired meal.

# What You’ll Need:

→ 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 Steps:

01 - In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, thyme, paprika, cumin, cayenne if using, salt, and pepper until well combined.
02 - Add sliced chicken to the marinade, toss to coat thoroughly, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight for deeper flavor development.
03 - While chicken marinates, place grated cucumber in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze firmly to remove as much liquid as possible.
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, then 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 light charring at the edges.
07 - Transfer cooked chicken to a cutting board and allow to rest for 5 minutes. Slice into thin strips.
08 - While chicken rests, warm 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 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, drizzle with additional tzatziki, and garnish with fresh parsley or mint leaves. Serve immediately with lemon wedges for squeezing.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The feta tzatziki is so creamy and tangy that youll want to eat it with a spoon before the gyros are even assembled.
  • Marinated chicken thighs get beautifully charred edges and stay juicy, never dry or bland.
  • Everything comes together fast, but tastes like youve been cooking all day.
  • Its endlessly customizable, swap the chicken for lamb, add pickled peppers, or pile on extra olives without breaking the recipe.
02 -
  • Always squeeze the cucumber dry or your tzatziki will be soupy and slide right off the gyro, trust me on this.
  • Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes, but if you have 2 hours or overnight, the flavor goes from good to incredible.
  • Don't skip resting the chicken after cooking, it keeps the meat juicy and makes slicing easier.
  • Warm your pita before assembling or it will crack and tear when you try to fold it.
03 -
  • Make the tzatziki a few hours ahead or even the night before, it gets thicker and more flavorful as it sits.
  • If your chicken is thick, pound it gently with a mallet so it cooks evenly and quickly.
  • Use a cast iron skillet or grill pan to get the best char on the chicken, nonstick pans won't give you those crispy edges.
  • Double the tzatziki recipe, it's amazing as a dip for vegetables, a spread for sandwiches, or a topping for baked potatoes.
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