Chicken Gyros
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
20 mins
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Cook Time
10 mins
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Total Time
30 mins
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Servings
6
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Calories
420 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Mediterranean
Chicken Gyros
Description
This Chicken Gyros recipe features a marinade combining smoked paprika, cumin, turmeric, coriander, garlic, and a touch of cinnamon and red pepper flakes, lending Mediterranean-inspired warmth and aroma. The chicken is marinated for 1 to 4 hours to absorb the spices and lemon juice before it is grilled over medium heat until cooked through and then chopped into bite-sized pieces.
The tzatziki sauce accompanies the dish with a blend of Greek yogurt, freshly minced garlic, dried dill, lemon juice, and finely diced cucumber, providing a cool, creamy counterpoint to the spiced chicken. Fresh toppings including romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and cucumber slices add crunch and freshness, with optional crumbled feta cheese for additional richness and tang.
Assembling the gyros in warm pita or flatbread makes for a convenient handheld meal. The chicken’s spice mix and citrus notes balance with the creamy tzatziki and fresh vegetables, offering a textured and flavorful dish suitable for lunch or dinner.
The recipe allows for advance preparation of marinade and tzatziki, both of which can be stored refrigerated for 2-3 days. Raw chicken can be marinated and frozen for up to 3 months, thawed overnight before grilling. Leftover cooked chicken also freezes well for future meals.
Ingredients
Chicken Marinade:
- 2 pounds chicken breast boneless, skinless
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika (or use regular)
- 2 teaspoons cumin ground
- 2 cloves garlic , minced
- 1 teaspoon Turmeric ground
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes or more, to taste, crushed
Tzatziki Sauce:
- 1 cup yogurt plain, Greek
- 2 cloves garlic , minced
- 1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed
- 2 teaspoon lemon juice
- salt to taste, freshly ground
- black pepper to taste, freshly ground
- 1 inch cucumber peeled and finely diced, piece of an English cucumber
For Serving:
- 6 pita bread or flatbreads
- 1 small romaine lettuce chopped, heart
- 1 cup cherry tomato halved
- 1/2 of a red onion , thinly sliced
- 1/2 of a English cucumber , thinly sliced
- feta cheese optional, crumbled
Instructions
- Tzatziki sauce: combine yogurt, garlic, dill, and lemon juice in a bowl. Stir in diced cucumber and season to taste with salt and pepper. Refrigerate.
- Chicken Marinade: Add chicken to a large bowl or ziplock bag. Combine marinade ingredients and pour over chicken. Stir well to coat and marinate for 1-4 hours.
- Grill: Heat grill to medium and oil the grates. Remove chicken from marinade, letting any excess sauce drip off. Grill chicken for a few minutes on each side, flipping once, until cooked through. Remove to a plate to rest before chopping into bite-size pieces.
- Assemble Gyros: Toast or warm your pitas. Layer with a big scoop of chopped chicken, lettuce, tomato, red onion, cucumber and tzatziki.
Notes
- For more even cooking, slice thick chicken breasts in half lengthwise (butterfly) before marinating.
- Tzatziki sauce and marinade can be made and stored up to 2-3 days ahead in airtight containers.
- Vegetables like onion, cucumber, tomato, and lettuce may be chopped hours in advance to save time at serving.
- To freeze, marinate raw chicken in an airtight container and freeze up to 3 months; thaw overnight before cooking.
- Leftover cooked chicken also freezes well for up to 3 months.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 420 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 420kcal | 21% |
| Carbohydrates | 40g | 13% |
| Protein | 42g | 84% |
| Fat | 10g | 15% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Trans Fat | 0.02g | 1% |
| Cholesterol | 98mg | 33% |
| Sodium | 883mg | 37% |
| Potassium | 924mg | 20% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
| Vitamin A | 1009IU | 20% |
| Vitamin C | 14mg | 16% |
| Calcium | 129mg | 13% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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