Mediterranean Chicken Gyros with Creamy Feta Tzatziki (Printable)

Charred lemon-herb chicken meets cool feta tzatziki with fresh vegetables in soft pita for a satisfying Mediterranean meal.

# Ingredient List:

→ 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

→ Assembly and Serving

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

# How-To Steps:

01 - In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, thyme, paprika, cumin, cayenne if using, salt, and pepper until fully combined.
02 - Add 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 enhanced flavor development.
03 - Place the grated cucumber in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze firmly to remove as much liquid as possible, then transfer to a medium bowl.
04 - Combine drained cucumber, Greek yogurt, crumbled feta, minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and chopped dill in the bowl. Stir until smooth and creamy, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover and refrigerate until service.
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 chicken from marinade, shaking off excess liquid. Cook in a single layer for 5 to 7 minutes per side until fully cooked through and lightly charred at the 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 or wrapped in foil in a low oven for 2 to 3 minutes until pliable.
09 - Lay a warmed pita on a serving plate and spread a generous spoonful of creamy feta tzatziki in the center.
10 - Top the tzatziki with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, red onion slices, and halved Kalamata olives.
11 - Arrange sliced chicken on top of vegetables, drizzle with additional tzatziki, and garnish with fresh parsley or mint leaves. Serve immediately with lemon wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The feta folded into tzatziki makes it richer and tangier than any store bought version you've ever tasted.
  • Chicken thighs stay juicy even if you slightly overcook them, so there's room for error.
  • Every bite has contrast: charred meat, cool sauce, crunchy vegetables, soft pita.
  • It looks impressive but comes together faster than ordering takeout.
02 -
  • If you skip squeezing the cucumber, your tzatziki will turn watery within an hour and slide right off the pita.
  • Slicing the chicken thin is what makes it cook fast and taste tender, not tough or rubbery.
  • Resting the cooked chicken for 5 minutes lets the juices redistribute so every bite stays moist.
03 -
  • If your chicken is uneven in thickness, pound it gently with a meat mallet so it cooks evenly and stays tender.
  • Add a pinch of sugar to the marinade if your lemons are especially tart; it balances the acidity without making the dish sweet.
  • Toast the pitas directly over a gas flame for 10 seconds per side if you want a lightly charred, smoky flavor.
  • Double the tzatziki recipe because it disappears faster than you think and tastes incredible on everything.
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