Easy Chicken Gyros with Tzatziki Sauce
User Reviews
4.5
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
8 mins
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Additional Time
30 mins
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Servings
4 servings
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Calories
410 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Greek
Easy Chicken Gyros with Tzatziki Sauce
Description
Easy Chicken Gyros with Tzatziki Sauce feature chicken tenderloins marinated in a mixture of lemon juice, plain yogurt, and seasoned Mediterranean sea salt. After marinating, the chicken is pan-cooked to develop a browned exterior and cooked-through interior. The tzatziki sauce enhances the gyros with its creamy texture from Greek yogurt, combined with grated cucumber, garlic, red wine vinegar, and fresh dill. The combination of fresh tomatoes and thinly sliced red onions adds a crisp, fresh element. Served in soft pita bread, this gyro offers a layered flavor profile balancing acid, savory spices, and creamy coolness.
The chicken may also be grilled or baked as an alternative method, allowing flexibility in cooking equipment while maintaining tenderness and flavor.
This dish works well as a casual lunch or dinner, especially when a handheld, customizable meal is desired.
To prepare the tzatziki, excess water from grated cucumber is pressed out to keep the sauce thick and creamy rather than watery. The marinating step can be done overnight to deepen flavor. The pita bread is warmed before serving to improve texture and pliability.
Ingredients
For the Greek Chicken
- lemon juice of ½ lemon
- ½ cup PLAIN yogurt
- 1 ¼ teaspoons sea salt sea salt mixed with dried oregano, Mediterranean-spiced
- 1 ½ pounds chicken tenderloin
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 cup tzatziki sauce , recipe below
- 4 lices pita bread flat Greek style
- 4 tomato halved and then quartered, cocktail
- ¼ red onion , thinly sliced
For the Tzatziki Sauce
- ½ English cucumber , grated (about 1 cup)
- 1 cup yogurt plain, Greek
- 1 medium clove garlic grated or minced (about ½ teaspoon
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon dill minced, fresh
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
Instructions
- Combine the lemon juice, yogurt, and sea salt in a large bowl and add the chicken tenders, tossing to coat well. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes or overnight.
- Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add half of the chicken tenders to the pan, shaking off the excess yogurt mixture before adding to the pan. Cook the chicken tenders for about 5 minutes, undisturbed, until browned, then flip and cook for another few minutes or until the chicken is cooked through. Transfer to a platter, add the additional tablespoon of olive oil and cook the remaining chicken tenders.*
- Prepare the tzatziki sauce. Gather the grated cucumber together and place in a paper towel, press the water out of the cucumber and place in a medium-sized bowl. Add the yogurt, garlic, red wine vinegar, fresh dill, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes or up to 3 days.
- Warm the pita bread in a toaster oven or in the microwave for 30 seconds.
- Spread some of the tzatzhiki sauce onto the warm pita bread with tomatoes, sliced red onion and 2 or 3 slices of chicken tenders. Fold the pitas and wrap in parchment paper or serve immediately.
Notes
- The chicken tenderloins can alternatively be grilled or baked at 375°F for about 20 minutes until fully cooked.
- Pressing excess water from grated cucumber is important to maintain the creamy texture of the tzatziki sauce.
- Marinating the chicken overnight intensifies the flavor but 30 minutes is sufficient if short on time.
- Warm pita bread before assembling the gyros to improve flexibility and taste.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 410 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 410kcal | 21% |
| Carbohydrates | 11g | 4% |
| Protein | 45g | 90% |
| Fat | 21g | 32% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Trans Fat | 0.02g | 1% |
| Cholesterol | 125mg | 42% |
| Sodium | 679mg | 28% |
| Potassium | 857mg | 18% |
| Fiber | 0.5g | 2% |
| Sugar | 6g | 12% |
| Vitamin A | 411IU | 8% |
| Vitamin C | 8mg | 9% |
| Calcium | 192mg | 19% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.5
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