Mediterranean Chicken Gyros with Feta Tzatziki (Print Version)

Charred lemon-herb chicken meets cool feta tzatziki in fresh pita wraps with crisp veggies and salty olives.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken Marinade

01 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
02 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
05 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
06 - 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
07 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
08 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
09 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
10 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
11 - 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, thinly sliced

→ Creamy Feta Tzatziki

12 - 1 cup full-fat Greek yogurt
13 - 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
14 - 1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded, grated, and excess water squeezed out
15 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
16 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
17 - 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
18 - 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh dill
19 - Salt and pepper, to taste

→ Serving and Assembly

20 - 4 to 6 pita breads or flatbreads
21 - 1 cup shredded romaine lettuce
22 - 1 cup diced ripe tomatoes
23 - 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
24 - 1/4 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
25 - Fresh parsley or mint leaves, for garnish
26 - Lemon wedges, for serving

# How To Make It:

01 - In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, oregano, thyme, paprika, cumin, cayenne pepper if using, salt, and pepper until well combined.
02 - Add sliced chicken to the marinade, toss thoroughly to coat all pieces evenly, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight for maximum flavor development.
03 - While chicken marinates, place grated cucumber in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze firmly to remove as much liquid as possible, ensuring a thick and creamy sauce.
04 - In a medium bowl, combine drained cucumber, Greek yogurt, crumbled feta cheese, minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and chopped dill. Stir until smooth and creamy, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
05 - Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. If using a non-nonstick pan, add a light drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking.
06 - Remove chicken from marinade, shaking off excess liquid. Arrange in a single layer in the hot skillet and cook for 5 to 7 minutes per side until fully cooked through and lightly charred at the edges.
07 - Transfer cooked chicken to a cutting board and allow to rest for 5 minutes. This allows juices to redistribute, ensuring tender meat. Slice into thin strips.
08 - While chicken rests, warm pita breads in a dry skillet over low heat for 2 to 3 minutes per side, or wrap in foil and place in a 300°F oven for 2 to 3 minutes until pliable.
09 - Lay a warmed pita on a serving plate, spread a generous spoonful of creamy feta tzatziki in the center, and layer with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, red onion slices, and halved Kalamata olives.
10 - Arrange sliced chicken on top of assembled ingredients, drizzle with additional tzatziki sauce, and garnish generously with fresh parsley or mint leaves. Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side for squeezing.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The feta tzatziki alone is worth keeping stocked in your refrigerator, it elevates everything from roasted vegetables to weekend eggs.
  • Chicken thighs stay juicy and tender even after developing those gorgeous charred edges that make gyro meat irresistible.
02 -
  • Pat your chicken relatively dry before adding it to the hot pan, or you'll steam instead of sear and miss those crispy edges.
  • The tzatziki needs at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator for the flavors to meld and the feta to soften into the yogurt.
03 -
  • Use a microplane to grate your garlic so it melts into the marinade instead of leaving harsh chunks.
  • Let your chicken come to room temperature for 20 minutes before cooking for more even results.
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