These Mediterranean Chicken Gyros have a fresh and flavorful filling. We prepare these gyros with chicken thighs, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, paprika, cumin, thyme, pita bread, Greek yogurt, cucumber, lettuce, tomatoes, red onion, Kalamata olives, feta cheese, and fresh herbs. These gyros have approximately 520 calories and 40 g of protein. These gyros take us approximately one hour and five minutes to make. These Mediterranean Chicken Gyros are ideal for Mediterranean meal plans, quick weeknight meals, weekend lunches, family gatherings, casual dinners, and satisfying savory cravings. We refrigerate the cooked chicken for almost four days and freeze it for nearly three months, so you can easily prepare it beforehand. You can serve these gyros with Greek Salad, Lemon Herb Potatoes, Hummus Platter, Roasted Vegetables, or Cucumber Tomato Salad.
STATS:
- Course: Main Course
- No. of Calories: 520 kcal
- Diet: Mediterranean
- Prep Time: 20 minutes + 30 minutes marinating
- Cuisine: Mediterranean, Greek
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Portion Size: 1 gyro
- Cooking Mode: Stovetop
- Total Servings: 4
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- Overall Duration: 1 hour 5 minutes
EQUIPMENT:
- Vessels
- Whisk
- Knife
- Chopping board
- Skillet
- Tongs
- Spatula
INGREDIENTS:
CHICKEN:
- 1½ lb chicken thighs
- Olive oil, two tbsp.
- Two tbsp. lemon juice
- Half tsp. salt
- Four garlic cloves
- One tsp. oregano
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon thyme
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
TZATZIKI SAUCE:
- One cup Greek yogurt
- One-fourth tsp. salt
- Half cucumber
- Lemon juice, one tbsp.
- One tbsp. olive oil
- 1 garlic clove
- 1 tablespoon dill
- â…› teaspoon black pepper
ASSEMBLY:
- 4 medium pita breads
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 1 tomato
- ½ cucumber
- ½ red onion
- ¼ cup Kalamata olives
- 2 tablespoons feta cheese
- 1 tablespoon parsley
INGREDIENT NOTES AND THEIR SUBSTITUTIONS:
CHICKEN THIGHS:
- We have to utilize chicken thighs, as they will keep the gyros juicy, tender, and flavorful.
LEMON JUICE:
- Lemon juice will provide freshness and acidity while balancing the flavors of the chicken marinade.
GARLIC:
- Garlic will add a strong savory and aromatic flavor to the chicken and tzatziki sauce. Alternatively, you can use garlic powder.
OREGANO:
- Oregano will provide the chicken with a classic Mediterranean and Greek-inspired flavor.
GREEK YOGURT:
- Greek yogurt will create a thick, creamy, and tangy texture for the tzatziki sauce.
CUCUMBER:
- Cucumber will add freshness, moisture, and a crisp texture to the tzatziki and gyro filling.
PITA BREAD:
- Pita bread will provide the traditional soft and chewy wrap for the gyro. Alternatively, you can use whole-wheat pita, flatbread, gluten-free pita, or low-carb tortillas.
KALAMATA OLIVES:
- Kalamata olives will provide a salty, rich, and distinctive Mediterranean flavor to the gyros.
FETA CHEESE:
- Feta cheese will add a creamy, salty flavor and crumbly texture to the gyros. As an alternative, you can use goat cheese or another mild, crumbly cheese.
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Include the pepper, olive oil, salt, lemon juice, thyme, garlic, cumin, oregano, and paprika in a dish.
- Put the chicken and whisk till fully coated; cover & refrigerate for about thirty minutes.
- Blend the pepper, Greek yogurt, salt, grated cucumber, dill, lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil to prepare the tzatziki.
- Chill the tzatziki till ready to utilize.
- Make the parsley, lettuce, olives, tomato, red onion, and cucumber.
- Warm a big pan, include the marinated chicken, and cook for almost eight minutes.
- Cook till the chicken becomes golden and inside temperature becomes 165°Fahrenheit.
- Heat the pita bread in a dry pan for almost thirty seconds.
- Distribute the tzatziki on all the warm pita.
- Include the feta, lettuce, olives, chicken, red onion, tomato, and cucumber.
- Garnish with fresh parsley, wrap the pita around the filling & serve quickly.
TIPS:
- We include fresh lemon juice for a perfect flavor.
- Utilize chicken thighs, as they deliver the juiciest results.
- Include red pepper flakes for additional heat.
- Make the veggies earlier for immediate assembly.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS:
SALADS:
- Greek Salad
- Fattoush Salad
- Cucumber Tomato Salad
- Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
- Arugula Salad
SIDE DISHES:
- Lemon Herb Potatoes
- Roasted Vegetables
- Hummus Platter
- Couscous Salad
- Garlic Rice
DIPS & SAUCES:
- Tzatziki Sauce
- Baba Ganoush
- Hummus
- Feta Dip
- Garlic Yogurt Sauce
BEVERAGES:
- Mint Lemonade
- Cucumber Water
- Iced Green Tea
- Sparkling Lemon Water
- Fresh Orange Juice
STORAGE INFORMATION:
FRIDGE:
- Store the cooked chicken for about three days in a tight box. Refrigerate the tzatziki in an enclosed dish for only 2 to 3 days. Store the veggies individually.
FREEZER:
- Store the cooked chicken for approx. 2 to 3 months. Avoid freezing the tzatziki, assembled gyros, or fresh veggies, as their texture will change.
FAQs:
Could we prepare the chicken by grilling?
- Yes, you can grill the chicken till browned and cooked to an inside temperature of 74°Celcius.
Will we make these gluten-free gyros?
- Yes, you may use pita or non-gluten wraps.
How could we prepare these gyros spicier?
- You can include the sliced jalapeños, red pepper flakes, or cayenne pepper.
NUTRITIONAL FACTS:
No. of Calories: 520 kcal
Sodium: 930 mg
Net Carbs: 38 g
Fiber: 5 g
Sugar: 6 g
Fats: 24 g
Proteins: 40 g
Portion Size: 1 gyro
Total Carbs: 43 g