Experience the delightful flavors of the Mediterranean with this Chicken Gyro recipe. Perfectly marinated chicken breast combined with fresh vegetables and creamy tzatziki sauce wrapped in warm pita bread creates a satisfying meal that is both healthy and delicious.
If you don't usually stock Greek yogurt, dill, or pita bread in your pantry, you might need to make a trip to the supermarket. Greek yogurt is essential for the creamy tzatziki sauce, while fresh dill adds a burst of flavor. Pita bread serves as the perfect vessel to hold all the delicious components together.
Ingredients for Chicken Gyro Recipe
Chicken breast: Sliced thinly, this will be marinated and cooked to perfection.
Olive oil: Used for marinating the chicken and adding richness.
Garlic: Minced and used in both the marinade and the tzatziki sauce for a robust flavor.
Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed to add a zesty tang to the marinade and sauce.
Oregano: Dried herb that brings a classic Mediterranean flavor to the dish.
Salt: Enhances the flavors of all the ingredients.
Ground black pepper: Adds a bit of heat and depth to the marinade and sauce.
Greek yogurt: The base for the creamy tzatziki sauce.
Dill: Freshly chopped to add a burst of herby flavor to the tzatziki sauce.
Pita bread: Warmed and used to wrap all the delicious ingredients.
Tomato: Diced to add freshness and juiciness to the gyro.
Cucumber: Diced to add a cool, crisp texture.
Red onion: Sliced thinly for a bit of sharpness and crunch.
Technique Tip for Making Gyros
When marinating the chicken, ensure that each slice is evenly coated with the marinade. This can be achieved by using a ziplock bag or a shallow dish, turning the chicken occasionally. For an even more flavorful result, consider marinating the chicken overnight in the refrigerator. When cooking the chicken, avoid overcrowding the skillet to ensure even cooking and a nice sear.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
sliced chicken breast - Substitute with sliced turkey breast: Turkey breast has a similar texture and flavor profile, making it a suitable alternative for chicken in gyros.
olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a high smoke point and a mild flavor, making it a good substitute for olive oil in cooking.
minced garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can provide a similar flavor, though it is less pungent and more convenient for quick recipes.
freshly squeezed lemon juice - Substitute with lime juice: Lime juice offers a similar acidity and citrus flavor, making it a good alternative to lemon juice.
dried oregano - Substitute with dried thyme: Thyme has a similar earthy and slightly minty flavor, which can complement the other ingredients well.
salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a similar level of saltiness along with a bit of umami flavor.
ground black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper has a similar heat and flavor profile but is slightly milder and less pungent.
greek yogurt - Substitute with sour cream: Sour cream has a similar creamy texture and tangy flavor, making it a suitable alternative for Greek yogurt.
freshly squeezed lemon juice - Substitute with apple cider vinegar: Apple cider vinegar provides a similar acidity and tanginess, which can work well in the yogurt sauce.
minced garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots offer a milder, slightly sweet flavor that can complement the yogurt sauce.
chopped dill - Substitute with chopped parsley: Parsley has a fresh, slightly peppery flavor that can work well as a substitute for dill.
salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can provide a similar level of saltiness with a slightly different mineral profile.
ground black pepper - Substitute with cayenne pepper: Cayenne pepper adds a bit of heat and spice, offering a different but complementary flavor.
pita bread - Substitute with naan bread: Naan bread has a similar texture and can be used as a wrap for the gyro fillings.
diced tomato - Substitute with roasted red peppers: Roasted red peppers provide a sweet and smoky flavor that can complement the other ingredients.
diced cucumber - Substitute with zucchini: Zucchini has a similar texture and mild flavor, making it a good alternative to cucumber.
sliced red onion - Substitute with green onions: Green onions offer a milder, slightly sweet flavor that can work well in the gyro.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to Gyros
How to Reheat Leftovers
Oven Method:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Wrap the chicken in aluminum foil to keep it moist.
- Place the wrapped chicken on a baking sheet and heat for about 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through.
- For the pita bread, wrap it in foil and place it in the oven for the last 5 minutes of the chicken reheating time.
- Reassemble your gyro with fresh tzatziki sauce, tomato, cucumber, and red onion.
Stovetop Method:
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
- Add a small amount of olive oil to the skillet.
- Place the chicken slices in the skillet and heat for about 3-5 minutes, turning occasionally until warmed through.
- Warm the pita bread in another skillet or directly over the flame for a few seconds on each side.
- Reassemble your gyro with fresh tzatziki sauce, tomato, cucumber, and red onion.
Microwave Method:
- Place the chicken slices on a microwave-safe plate.
- Cover the chicken with a damp paper towel to retain moisture.
- Microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking and stirring halfway through.
- Warm the pita bread by wrapping it in a damp paper towel and microwaving for 20-30 seconds.
- Reassemble your gyro with fresh tzatziki sauce, tomato, cucumber, and red onion.
Air Fryer Method:
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the chicken slices in the air fryer basket.
- Heat for about 3-5 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even heating.
- Warm the pita bread in the air fryer for the last 1-2 minutes.
- Reassemble your gyro with fresh tzatziki sauce, tomato, cucumber, and red onion.
Grill Method:
- Preheat your grill to medium heat.
- Wrap the chicken slices in aluminum foil.
- Place the foil-wrapped chicken on the grill and heat for about 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally.
- Warm the pita bread directly on the grill for about 1 minute per side.
- Reassemble your gyro with fresh tzatziki sauce, tomato, cucumber, and red onion.
Best Tools for Making Gyros
Mixing bowl: Use this to combine the olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, oregano, salt, and pepper for marinating the chicken.
Skillet: This is essential for cooking the marinated chicken and warming the pita bread.
Knife: Necessary for slicing the chicken breast, mincing the garlic, and chopping the dill.
Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for slicing the chicken and chopping vegetables.
Measuring spoons: Use these to measure out the olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, salt, and pepper accurately.
Spatula: Handy for flipping the chicken in the skillet to ensure even cooking.
Small bowl: Perfect for mixing the Greek yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, dill, salt, and pepper to make the tzatziki sauce.
Tongs: Useful for handling the chicken slices while cooking.
Serving platter: Ideal for assembling and serving the gyros.
Spoon: Use this to spread the tzatziki sauce on the pita bread.
How to Save Time on Making Gyros
Marinate in advance: Prepare the chicken marinade the night before and let it sit in the fridge. This will save you time and enhance the flavor.
Pre-chop vegetables: Dice the tomato, cucumber, and slice the red onion ahead of time. Store them in airtight containers in the fridge.
Make tzatziki ahead: Prepare the tzatziki sauce a day in advance. The flavors will meld together, making it even tastier.
Use pre-cooked chicken: If you're in a rush, use pre-cooked or rotisserie chicken. Just warm it up and add it to your gyro.
Warm pita together: Warm all the pita bread at once in the oven to save time.

Chicken Gyro Recipe
Ingredients
Chicken Marinade
- 500 g Chicken Breast sliced
- 3 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 2 cloves Garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice freshly squeezed
- 1 teaspoon Oregano dried
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black Pepper ground
Tzatziki Sauce
- 1 cup Greek Yogurt
- 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice freshly squeezed
- 1 clove Garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon Dill chopped
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black Pepper ground
To Serve
- 4 pieces Pita Bread
- 1 cup Tomato diced
- 1 cup Cucumber diced
- 0.5 cup Red Onion sliced
Instructions
- 1. In a mixing bowl, combine olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, oregano, salt, and pepper. Add chicken slices and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- 2. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the marinated chicken until fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes per side.
- 3. In another bowl, mix Greek yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, dill, salt, and pepper to make the tzatziki sauce.
- 4. Warm the pita bread in a skillet or oven.
- 5. Assemble the gyros by placing chicken, tzatziki sauce, tomato, cucumber, and red onion on the pita bread. Serve immediately.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts for Gyros
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