Description
Delicious and authentic Chicken Gyros featuring juicy, yogurt-marinated chicken thighs baked to perfection and served in warm pita bread with creamy tzatziki sauce, crisp red onions, and fresh cherry tomatoes. This easy Greek-inspired recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner packed with vibrant Mediterranean flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 2 pounds chicken thighs (boneless and skinless)
- ½ cup Greek yogurt (plain)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon cumin (ground)
- 1 tablespoon oregano (dried)
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon (ground)
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1 teaspoon pepper (or to taste)
To Serve
- 4 pitas
- ¼ cup tzatziki sauce
- ½ red onion (thinly sliced)
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: Add the chicken thighs and all marinade ingredients—Greek yogurt, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, olive oil, minced garlic, ground cumin, dried oregano, smoked paprika, ground cinnamon, salt, and pepper—into a large freezer bag. Seal the bag and gently squeeze it to thoroughly mix the marinade with the chicken. Refrigerate for 1 to 4 hours to allow the flavors to infuse.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare for Baking: Preheat your oven to 425°F (218°C). Line a baking sheet with a roasting rack to allow air circulation and even cooking of the chicken pieces.
- Bake the Chicken: Arrange the marinated chicken thighs evenly on the roasting rack. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the edges begin to crisp and the chicken is fully cooked through. For extra crispiness without drying out the meat, you may broil the chicken for 2 to 3 minutes at the end of baking.
- Prepare the Chicken and Pitas: Remove the chicken from the oven and chop it roughly into bite-sized pieces. Warm the pita breads by microwaving them for 15 to 20 seconds or toasting each in a dry skillet over medium-high heat until pliable and slightly browned.
- Assemble the Gyros: Spoon the warm, chopped chicken into each pita. Top generously with tzatziki sauce, thinly sliced red onion, and halved cherry tomatoes. Serve immediately and enjoy your fresh and flavorful chicken gyros.
Notes
- These Greek Chicken Gyros are a perfect weeknight dinner, offering juicy and flavorful chicken marinated in yogurt and spices.
- The crispy edges achieved by baking and optional broiling add delightful texture to the wraps.
- Feel free to customize toppings by adding cucumbers, lettuce, or feta cheese for extra freshness and flavor.
- You can marinate the chicken overnight for deeper flavor, but 1-4 hours is sufficient for a quick meal.
- Warming the pita is essential for softness and pliability, making the gyro easier to roll or fold.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 gyro
- Calories: 555 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 1174 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.04 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 53 g
- Cholesterol: 219 mg
