Description
This Chicken Gyros recipe features tender, marinated chicken thighs baked to perfection and served in warm pita breads with classic Greek toppings like tzatziki sauce, red onions, and cherry tomatoes. The marinade, packed with Greek yogurt, lemon juice, and aromatic spices, ensures juicy and flavorful meat, perfect for a quick and satisfying Mediterranean-inspired meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 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 kosher salt, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
Toppings and Assembly
- 4 pita breads
- ¼ cup tzatziki sauce
- ½ red onion, thinly sliced
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
Instructions
- Marinate Chicken: Combine the chicken thighs with Greek yogurt, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, olive oil, minced garlic, ground cumin, dried oregano, smoked paprika, ground cinnamon, kosher salt, and black pepper in a large freezer bag. Seal the bag tightly and massage to ensure the chicken is evenly coated with the marinade. Refrigerate and marinate for at least 1 hour up to 24 hours to develop flavor.
- Cook Chicken: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Arrange the marinated chicken thighs on a baking sheet lined with a roasting rack to allow airflow. Bake the chicken for 15 to 18 minutes, or until fully cooked and slightly crispy on the edges. For extra crispiness, switch your oven to broil and cook the chicken for an additional 2 to 3 minutes. Alternatively, you can grill or pan-fry the chicken if preferred.
- Assemble Gyros: Remove the chicken from the oven and roughly chop it into bite-sized pieces. Warm the pita breads by microwaving them for about 20 seconds or heating them in a dry skillet over medium heat until soft and pliable. Fill each pita with the chopped chicken, a dollop of tzatziki sauce, thinly sliced red onions, and halved cherry tomatoes. Serve immediately for a delicious, hearty meal.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken overnight enhances the flavor and tenderness.
- Broiling at the end adds a nice crispy texture to the chicken.
- For a lighter version, use skinless chicken breasts instead of thighs.
- You can prepare the gyros toppings ahead of time for quick assembly.
- Grilling the chicken is a great alternative and adds a smoky flavor.
