Name: Greek Chicken Gyros
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 2 h 40 min
Ingredients: 2 pounds chicken tenderloins; 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil; 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 2 teaspoons dried oregano; 1 teaspoon dried thyme; ½ teaspoon paprika; Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste; ¾ cup Greek yogurt; ½ cup grated English cucumber, squeezed dry; 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill; 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice; 2 teaspoons lemon zest; 1 clove garlic, minced; Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste; 6 pita flatbreads; 2 cups shredded romaine; 2 cups cherry tomatoes, quartered; 1 red onion, thinly sliced

Description

Juicy marinated chicken wrapped in warm pita bread with fresh vegetables and creamy tzatziki sauce – a delicious Mediterranean classic that brings authentic Greek flavors to your table.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken

2 pounds chicken tenderloins
1 ½ tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried thyme
½ teaspoon paprika
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

For the Tzatziki Sauce

¾ cup Greek yogurt
½ cup grated English cucumber, squeezed dry
2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 teaspoons lemon zest
1 clove garlic, minced
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

For Assembly

6 pita flatbreads
2 cups shredded romaine
2 cups cherry tomatoes, quartered
1 red onion, thinly sliced

Instructions

Marinate the Chicken
In a gallon size Ziploc bag, combine chicken, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, thyme, paprika, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Seal the bag and massage the marinade into the chicken to ensure it’s evenly coated. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, turning the bag occasionally to ensure even marination. When ready to cook, drain the chicken from the marinade, discarding the marinade.
Prepare the Tzatziki Sauce
In a medium bowl, combine Greek yogurt, squeezed dry grated cucumber, dill, lemon juice, lemon zest and garlic. Season with salt and pepper to taste, stirring well to combine all ingredients. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve to allow the flavors to meld together.
Grill the Chicken
Preheat grill to medium heat. Place the marinated chicken on the grill and cook, turning occasionally, until the chicken is completely cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F, about 8 minutes. The chicken should have nice grill marks and be juicy inside. Remove from grill and let rest for a few minutes before slicing.
Warm the Pitas
Place the pita bread directly on the grill for about 1-2 minutes per side until warm and slightly charred. This adds flavor and makes them more pliable for folding around the filling.
Assemble the Gyros
Halve the warmed pitas to create pockets. Fill each pita pocket with sliced grilled chicken, shredded romaine lettuce, quartered cherry tomatoes, and thinly sliced red onion. Top with a generous spoonful of tzatziki sauce.
Serve
Serve the assembled gyros immediately while the chicken is still warm and the pita bread is soft.

Notes

For extra flavor, add 1 teaspoon of lemon zest to the chicken marinade.
Make sure to squeeze the grated cucumber very well to prevent watery tzatziki sauce.
You can prepare the tzatziki sauce up to 24 hours ahead of time for better flavor development.
Try adding some crumbled feta cheese for an authentic Greek touch.
For a low-carb option, serve the chicken and toppings over a Greek salad instead of in pita bread.

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes