Ingredients
Chicken Marinade
- 1 pound chicken breasts (thinly sliced into strips)
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ½ lemon (juiced)
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon garlic paste or finely minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
Cooking
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Assembly
- 4-6 Greek style pita breads
- 2 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 1½ cups cherry tomatoes (each cut into thirds)
- 1 cucumber (deseeded and diced)
- ½ red onion (diced)
- Tzatziki Sauce (for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Add the thinly sliced chicken breasts into a large bowl and set aside to prepare the marinade.
- Make the Marinade: In a small bowl, whisk together plain Greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, garlic paste, dried oregano, paprika, salt, and black pepper until well combined. Pour this marinade over the chicken and mix thoroughly to coat all the pieces.
- Marinate: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 8 hours, to allow the chicken to absorb the flavors.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting excess drip off, and add the chicken strips to the hot skillet.
- Sear the Chicken: Cook the chicken on each side for about 6 minutes or until the pieces are light golden brown and fully cooked through.
- Rest and Slice Chicken: Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and let it rest for 5 minutes. Then slice into long strips and set aside.
- Toast the Pita: While the chicken cooks, place the Greek pita breads in a clean skillet over medium heat. Toast each side of the pita for about one minute until warm and slightly crisp.
- Assemble Gyros: Lay the toasted pita breads flat and layer with chopped romaine lettuce, sliced cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, diced red onion, and the sliced cooked chicken strips.
- Add Tzatziki Sauce & Serve: Spoon or drizzle tzatziki sauce over the assembled gyros. Serve immediately while the pitas are warm for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken longer (up to 8 hours) enhances the flavor and tenderness.
- Use Greek-style pita bread for authenticity and best texture.
- Tzatziki sauce can be purchased pre-made or homemade for fresher taste.
- For a spicier gyro, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the marinade.
- Leftover gyro ingredients can be stored separately and assembled fresh before serving.
- Cook chicken thoroughly to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safety.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Greek
