Easy Chicken Gyros {New and Improved}
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
25 mins
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Cook Time
10 mins
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Additional Time
1 hr
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Total Time
1 hr 35 mins
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Servings
6 servings
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Mediterranean
Easy Chicken Gyros {New and Improved}
Description
Easy Chicken Gyros {New and Improved} combines marinated chicken with a cooling tzatziki sauce and fresh vegetables wrapped in flatbread. The marinade uses plain yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and oregano to tenderize and flavor the chicken, which is grilled until cooked through. The tzatziki features shredded, drained cucumber mixed into thick Greek yogurt with lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil for a creamy dressing.
The rich flavor of the chicken contrasts with the fresh toppings such as tomato, lettuce, olives, red onions, and crumbled feta cheese. The assembly into flatbread or pita bread makes the dish portable and perfect for a casual yet flavorful meal.
Use extra-thick Greek yogurt for tzatziki to prevent it from being watery. Marinate chicken for no longer than four hours to avoid a mushy texture caused by the acidic marinade. Chicken breasts or thighs work best, while tenders are less recommended due to their delicate texture.
Ingredients
Chicken Marinade:
- ½ cup PLAIN yogurt
- ¼ cup lemon juice fresh
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoons oregano dried
- 1 tablespoon garlic finely minced; or 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt coarse
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper coarsely ground
- 1 ½ pounds chicken breast boneless, skinless, or thighs
Tzatziki Sauce:
- 1 medium cucumber English, seedless type
- 1 ½ cups Greek yogurt plain, extra thick
- 1 tablespoons lemon juice fresh
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 to 2 to 2 teaspoons garlic finely minced; or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- salt pinch
- black pepper pinch
Flatbread + Toppings:
- 6 pieces flatbread or pita bread
- feta cheese feta cheese crumbled; tomatoes, lettuce, olives, red onions chopped
- tomato
- lettuce
- olives
- red onion
Instructions
- For the chicken, whisk together all the marinade ingredients. Place the chicken in a shallow dish or ziploc bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours or up to 4 hours.
- For the tzatziki, shred the cucumber on the small holes of a box grater. Wrap the shredded cucumber in a clean kitchen towel and wring out excess liquid until the cucumber is very dry. You should have about 1/2 cup shredded cucumber.
- Stir together all the tzatziki ingredients. Season to taste with additional salt and pepper, if needed. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Preheat an outdoor grill, indoor grill pan, or oven broiler to medium or medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for 4-5 minutes each side until the chicken is cooked through and an instant-read thermometer reads 165 degrees F inserted at the thickest part. Tent the chicken with foil and let rest for 5-10 minutes.
- To serve, slice the chicken and serve in flatbread or pita bread with tzatziki sauce, feta cheese, and other toppings, as desired.
Notes
- Use extra-thick plain Greek yogurt for the tzatziki to avoid a watery sauce; drain any whey if present.
- Marinate chicken for up to four hours; longer marinating can negatively affect texture due to acidity.
- Prefer boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs over tenders for better texture with this marinade.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 gyro (with tzatziki sauce but no additional toppings) | |
| Calories | 386kcal | 19% |
| Carbohydrates | 36g | 12% |
| Protein | 34g | 68% |
| Fat | 11g | 17% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 75mg | 25% |
| Sodium | 836mg | 35% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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