Chicken gyros are a delicious Greek dish featuring seasoned and grilled chicken wrapped in warm pita bread, often served with a variety of toppings and sauces. A step-by-step guide on how to make chicken gyros at home:
Ingredients:
For the Chicken Marinade:
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (you can also use chicken breast)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Greek yogurt (optional, for added creaminess)
For the Tzatziki Sauce:
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 cucumber, grated and drained
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped (or dried dill)
- 1 tablespoon fresh mint, chopped (or dried mint)
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- Salt and black pepper to taste
For Serving:
- Pita bread or flatbreads
- Sliced tomatoes
- Sliced cucumbers
- Sliced red onions
- Lettuce leaves
- Feta cheese (optional)
- Kalamata olives (optional)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Chicken Marinade:
- In a bowl, combine the minced garlic, dried oregano, dried thyme, paprika, cumin, salt, black pepper, lemon juice, and olive oil.
- Add the chicken thighs to the marinade mixture and coat them evenly. If you have Greek yogurt on hand, you can add a couple of tablespoons for extra creaminess.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or longer for better flavor).
2. Make the Tzatziki Sauce:
- In a separate bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, grated and drained cucumber, minced garlic, chopped dill, chopped mint, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper.
- Mix well, and your tzatziki sauce is ready.
- Refrigerate it until you're ready to serve.
3. Grill the Chicken:
- Preheat your grill or a grill pan to medium-high heat.
- Thread the marinated chicken thighs onto skewers or simply place them directly on the grill grates.
- Grill the chicken for about 6-8 minutes per side, or until it's cooked through and has nice grill marks.
- Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes. Then, slice it into thin strips.
4. Warm the Pita Bread:
- While the chicken is resting, warm the pita bread or flatbreads on the grill or in a warm oven for a minute or two.
5. Assemble the Gyros:
- Lay out each warmed pita bread.
- Add a generous spoonful of tzatziki sauce on the bread.
- Place sliced chicken on top of the sauce.
- Add sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, lettuce, and any other desired toppings.
- Optionally, crumble some feta cheese and sprinkle Kalamata olives over the gyros.
6. Roll and Serve:
- Fold the sides of the pita bread over the filling.
- Roll it up, securing the ends with foil or parchment paper if needed.
- Serve your homemade chicken gyros immediately, with extra tzatziki sauce on the side for dipping.
Enjoy your delicious homemade chicken gyros, a taste of Greek cuisine right in your own kitchen!