Mediterranean Chicken Gyros with Feta Tzatziki (Printable)

Charred lemon-herb chicken meets cool feta tzatziki in these fresh Mediterranean gyros with crisp veggies and 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 1/2 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

→ Assembly and Serving

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, dried oregano, thyme, paprika, cumin, cayenne pepper if using, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper until well combined.
02 - Add thinly sliced chicken to the marinade, toss thoroughly to coat all pieces, cover the bowl, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight for deeper flavor development.
03 - Place grated cucumber in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze firmly to remove as much liquid as possible, ensuring the tzatziki maintains a thick and creamy consistency.
04 - In a medium bowl, combine drained cucumber, Greek yogurt, crumbled feta cheese, minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and chopped fresh dill. Stir until smooth and creamy, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover and refrigerate until serving.
05 - Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Add a light drizzle of olive oil if using a non-nonstick surface.
06 - Remove marinated chicken from refrigerator, shake off excess marinade, and cook in a single layer for 5 to 7 minutes per side until cooked through with lightly charred edges.
07 - Transfer cooked chicken to a cutting board and allow to rest for 5 minutes before slicing into thin strips.
08 - While chicken rests, warm pita breads in a dry skillet over medium heat or wrapped in foil in a low oven for 2 to 3 minutes until pliable.
09 - Lay a warmed pita bread on a serving plate, spread a generous spoonful of creamy feta tzatziki in the center, and layer with shredded romaine lettuce, diced tomatoes, red onion slices, and halved Kalamata olives.
10 - Arrange sliced chicken on top of vegetables, drizzle with additional tzatziki sauce, and garnish with fresh parsley or mint leaves. Serve immediately with lemon wedges for squeezing.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The feta tzatziki is a total game changer, adding tangy creaminess that cuts through the spiced chicken
  • Everything comes together in under an hour, but tastes like it simmered all afternoon
  • These gyros are perfectly balanced, hot against cold, crisp against tender, rich against bright
02 -
  • Squeezing every drop of water from the cucumber is nonnegotiable, otherwise your tzatziki will separate and turn watery within an hour
  • Letting the chicken rest before slicing keeps all those juices inside instead of running onto your cutting board
  • The longer you marinate the chicken, the more flavorful it becomes, so overnight is ideal if you can plan ahead
03 -
  • If your chicken thighs are thick, butterfly them before slicing so they cook evenly and quickly
  • A cast iron skillet gives the best char, but any heavy pan will work beautifully
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