Mediterranean Chicken Gyros with Feta (Print version)

Charred lemon-herb chicken with cool feta tzatziki, fresh vegetables, and warm pita bread for a satisfying Mediterranean meal.

# 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 - ½ teaspoon ground cumin
08 - ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
09 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
10 - ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
11 - 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, thinly sliced

→ Creamy Feta Tzatziki

12 - 1 cup full-fat Greek yogurt
13 - ½ 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

→ Serving and Assembly

20 - 4 to 6 pita breads or flatbreads
21 - 1 cup shredded romaine lettuce
22 - 1 cup diced ripe tomatoes
23 - ½ red onion, thinly sliced
24 - ¼ cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
25 - Fresh parsley or mint leaves for garnish
26 - Lemon wedges for serving

# Directions:

01 - In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, oregano, thyme, paprika, cumin, cayenne if using, salt, and pepper until fully combined.
02 - Add the sliced chicken to the marinade, toss to coat thoroughly, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight for deeper flavor development.
03 - While the chicken marinates, place the grated cucumber in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze firmly to remove as much liquid as possible.
04 - In a medium bowl, combine the drained cucumber, Greek yogurt, crumbled feta, minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and chopped dill. Stir until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste, cover, and refrigerate.
05 - Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Add a light drizzle of olive oil if the pan is not nonstick.
06 - Remove the chicken from the marinade, shaking off excess liquid. Cook in a single layer for 5 to 7 minutes per side, or until cooked through and lightly charred at the edges.
07 - Transfer cooked chicken to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes. Slice into thin strips.
08 - While the chicken rests, warm the pita breads in a dry skillet over low heat or wrapped in foil in a low oven for 2 to 3 minutes.
09 - Lay a warmed pita on a plate, spread a generous spoonful of creamy feta tzatziki in the center, and top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, red onion slices, and Kalamata olives.
10 - Arrange sliced chicken on top, drizzle with extra tzatziki, and garnish with fresh parsley or mint leaves. Serve immediately with lemon wedges for squeezing.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The marinade is so good you'll want to use it on everything from lamb to mushrooms.
  • Feta tzatziki tastes like the lovechild of a cheese board and a cooling dip, tangy and impossibly creamy.
  • Charred chicken, cool crunch, and warm pita make every bite feel like a tiny vacation.
  • It looks fancy enough for guests but comes together faster than takeout.
02 -
  • Squeeze that cucumber like your tzatziki depends on it, because it does, watery sauce is sad sauce.
  • Don't overcrowd the pan when cooking chicken or it'll steam instead of char, and you'll miss out on all that caramelized flavor.
  • Marinate for at least 2 hours if you can, the difference between 30 minutes and 2 hours is the difference between good and unforgettable.
03 -
  • Use a meat mallet to gently pound chicken thighs to an even thickness so they cook uniformly and char beautifully.
  • Let your tzatziki sit for at least 30 minutes before serving so the garlic mellows and the flavors meld together.
  • Toast your pitas directly over a gas flame for a few seconds if you want a little smokiness and those gorgeous char spots.
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