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Chicken gyros served in pita
Simple and tasty homemade chicken gyros

Chicken Gyros with Homemade Tzatziki

Author: Flavelo
Recipes Main Courses Quick Meals
Gyros is the king of Greek street food. The name comes from 'turn', referring to the vertical rotisserie. At home, we achieve this effect with intense searing and seasoning. The meeting of fresh, cold tzatziki, crisp vegetables, and hot, spiced meat in a soft pita is a perfect chaos of flavors and temperatures.
🕒 Prep Time 20 mins
🍳 Cook Time 15 mins
⌛ Total Time 35 mins
🍽️ Servings 4 servings
🔥 Calories 600 kcal
🌍 Cuisine Greek

Ingredients

Equipment Needed

  • Large skillet: for searing the meat.
  • Grater: for the cucumber.
  • Kitchen towel or cheesecloth: for squeezing the cucumber juice.

Allergen Information

⚠️ Wheat
⚠️ Milk

Instructions

1 ✓

Make the Tzatziki: Grate the cucumber, salt lightly, and let sit for 10 minutes. Then squeeze out the water firmly with your hands or a clean kitchen towel.

Tip: If you leave the water in, it will dilute the yogurt and make the pita soggy.
2 ✓

Mix the squeezed cucumber with the yogurt, add 2 cloves of crushed garlic, 1 tbsp olive oil, and lemon juice. Refrigerate.

Tip: Garlic flavor intensifies in yogurt over time, so it's worth making ahead.
3 ✓

Cut the chicken into thin strips. Toss with 3 tbsp olive oil and the spice mix. Let sit for 20 minutes.

Tip: An oil-based marinade transfers flavor better than dry seasoning.
4 ✓

Heat a skillet until very hot. Cook the meat in batches so it sears rather than steams. We want nice red, crispy edges.

Tip: The 'gyros experience' comes from those crispy, browned bits of meat.
5 ✓

Slice the vegetables (tomatoes, onion). Warm the pitas (in the oven or skillet) so they are soft and pliable.

Tip: Cold pita breaks and is dry. Warming 'revives' the starch.
6 ✓

Fill the pitas with meat, vegetables, and plenty of tzatziki.

Tip: Wrap the bottom in parchment paper to prevent drips on your clothes.

Recipe FAQ

Why is my Tzatziki watery?
Because you didn't squeeze the cucumber enough. Cucumber is 96% water, which salt draws out. This must be removed.
What spices should I use if I don't have a Gyros mix?
A mix of Oregano, garlic powder, cumin, paprika, a little cinnamon, and salt is perfect.

Ingredients

  • 1.5 lbs Chicken Thighs (boneless, skinless) or Breast
  • 4 pcs Pita Bread
  • 1.25 cups Greek Yogurt (thick)
  • 1 pc English Cucumber
  • 2 pcs Tomatoes
  • 1 head Red Onion
  • 3 cloves Garlic
  • 4 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 2 tsp Gyros Seasoning (Oregano dominant)
  • 2 tbsp Lemon Juice