Mediterranean Chicken Gyros Feta Tzatziki (Printable format)

Charred seasoned chicken meets cool feta tzatziki sauce with fresh vegetables in warm pita breads.

# 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 - 1.5 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

# 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 well combined.
02 - Add sliced chicken to the marinade, toss thoroughly to coat all pieces, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight for enhanced flavor development.
03 - Place grated cucumber in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze firmly to remove as much liquid as possible, then set aside.
04 - In a medium bowl, combine drained cucumber, Greek yogurt, crumbled feta, minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and chopped dill. Stir until smooth and creamy, then season with salt and pepper to taste.
05 - Cover the tzatziki mixture and refrigerate until ready to serve.
06 - Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Add a light drizzle of olive oil if the pan is not nonstick.
07 - Remove chicken from marinade, shaking off excess liquid. Cook in a single layer for 5 to 7 minutes per side until cooked through and lightly charred at the edges.
08 - Transfer cooked chicken to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes, then slice into thin strips.
09 - 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.
10 - Lay a warmed pita on a serving plate, spread a generous spoonful of tzatziki in the center, and layer with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, red onion slices, and Kalamata olives. Top with sliced chicken, drizzle with additional tzatziki, and garnish with fresh parsley or mint leaves. Serve immediately with lemon wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The feta tzatziki is so creamy and tangy it makes store-bought sauce taste like a sad afterthought.
  • You get restaurant-quality char and flavor without firing up an outdoor grill.
  • Everything can be prepped ahead, so dinner comes together in less than twenty minutes when youre ready to eat.
  • The marinade doubles as a flavor bomb for any protein you want to swap in later.
02 -
  • If you don't squeeze the cucumber dry, your tzatziki will be runny and slide right off the chicken.
  • Marinating for at least 2 hours instead of 30 minutes makes the chicken deeply flavorful, not just surface-seasoned.
  • Don't skip the resting step after cooking, cutting into hot chicken makes all the juices run out onto the board.
03 -
  • Use a cast iron skillet or grill pan for the best char, the high heat and heavy surface create those crispy, caramelized edges.
  • If you're making this for a crowd, double the tzatziki, people will use way more than you think and you'll want extra for dipping.
  • Slice the chicken thighs as thin as you can before marinating, more surface area means more flavor and faster cooking.
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