Description
These Greek Chicken Gyros feature juicy, yogurt-marinated chicken thighs, perfectly baked to tender crispness and served in warm pita bread with creamy tzatziki sauce, fresh red onions, and sweet cherry tomatoes. This recipe combines Mediterranean flavors with a simple baking method for a delicious and easy weeknight meal that’s bursting with fresh herbs and spices.
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 ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1 teaspoon pepper (or to taste)
Assembly
- 4 pitas
- ¼ cup tzatziki sauce
- ½ red onion (thinly sliced)
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: Combine the chicken thighs with Greek yogurt, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, olive oil, minced garlic, cumin, oregano, smoked paprika, cinnamon, salt, and pepper in a large freezer bag. Seal the bag and toss to evenly coat the chicken in the marinade. Refrigerate for 1 to 4 hours to allow the flavors to meld.
- Preheat and Prepare for Baking: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Place a roasting rack on a baking sheet and arrange the marinated chicken thighs on the rack, allowing excess marinade to drip off. This setup ensures the chicken cooks evenly and crisps nicely on the edges.
- Bake the Chicken: Bake the chicken in the oven for 15 to 18 minutes until cooked through and the edges start to crisp. For extra crispiness, switch on the broiler for 2 to 3 minutes but watch carefully to prevent drying out the chicken.
- Prepare the Gyro Filling: Remove the chicken from the oven and roughly chop it into bite-sized pieces. Warm the pita breads either by microwaving them for 15 to 20 seconds or toasting individually in a dry skillet over medium-high heat to enhance their flavor and pliability.
- Assemble the Gyros: Spoon the chopped chicken into each warm pita. Top with creamy tzatziki sauce, thin slices of red onion, and halved cherry tomatoes for a perfect balance of flavor and texture. Serve immediately for the best experience.
Notes
- Greek Chicken Gyros make a flavorful and quick weeknight meal packed with Mediterranean flair.
- Marinating the chicken longer (up to 4 hours) will deepen the flavors and result in tender meat.
- Using a roasting rack during baking helps achieve crispy edges without frying.
- Warming the pita enhances texture and flavor, but avoid overheating to prevent dryness.
- Feel free to add extra veggies or a squeeze of lemon for added brightness.
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
