Easy and Delicious Greek-Inspired Chicken Gyros

Written by Lauren Graham

The first time I had a gyro was in middle school. We visited a Greek restaurant in the mall that played traditional Greek music and was always crowded with people. We placed our order, and shortly after, this amazing sandwich wrap the size of my head arrived, filled with delicious meat, veggies, and a mouthwatering white sauce. After that first bite, the rest was history.

That sandwich is the gyro. The gyro, pronounced “yee-ro,” is a famous Greek dish consisting of pita bread and any roasted meat that's cooked in a rotisserie. Meats such as lamb, beef, pork, or chicken can be found inside a gyro, and traditional toppings include tomato, onion, and feta cheese. People all around the world enjoy this flavorful dish, and I thought I could bring the Mediterranean to my home with this inspired recipe. This is my take on the classic Greek gyro, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. 

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Full Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 Pack of boneless, skinless chicken breasts 

• 1 bag of pita bread slices

• 1 sliced tomato 

• 1 sliced red onion 

• 1 jar of pitless kalamata olives

• 1 English cucumber 

• 1 block of feta cheese 

• 1 cup of plain Greek yogurt 

• 1 lemon 

• 1 garlic clove

• Fresh (or dried) dill sprigs 

• Fresh (or dried) mint sprigs*

Instructions:

Tzatziki:

1. You can’t have a gyro without tzatziki sauce! This bright, herbal, and tangy yogurt sauce is a staple in Greek cuisine, and it adds a burst of flavor to the meat and pita. First, place a cup of plain Greek yogurt in a bowl. 

2. Grate about ½ cup of cucumber. If you don’t have a grater, finely dice the cucumber into small pieces.

3. Once you have ½ cup, place the cucumber in cheesecloth or a paper towel and squeeze out the excess water.

4. Add the squeezed cucumber to the yogurt.

5. Drizzle a tablespoon of olive oil and lemon juice into the bowl.

6. Add salt, pepper, finely chopped garlic, dill, and mint according to your preference. 

7. Mix and set aside in the refrigerator. 

Chicken:

1. Set a large pan with olive or vegetable oil to medium heat. 

2. While the pan is heating, coat the chicken breasts with seasoning on both sides.*

3. Once the chicken is evenly coated, add to the pan and leave both sides undisturbed for 7-8 minutes each.

4. When the chicken is completely cooked, remove it from the pan and place on a cutting board.

5. Cut the chicken breast into medium-sized cubes or rectangles. 

6. Set aside!

Assembly:

1. Heat the pita bread on the stove or in the oven so it’s nice and toasty. 

2. Add a generous layer of tzatziki to the base of the pita.

3. Add the chicken cubes next. 

4. Now add in the sliced tomato, onion, and kalamata olives. Feel free to add cucumber, lettuce, or French fries.

   
   

Now you can sit back, relax, and dive into your homemade gyro. Enjoy!

*Notes:

• You could also add lettuce and sliced cucumbers and have French fries on the side.

• I like to use salt, pepper, oregano, paprika, and cumin.

Thumbnail Credit:

Lauren Graham