Mediterranean Chicken Gyros Feta Tzatziki (Printable)

Charred lemon-herb chicken with cool feta tzatziki sauce, fresh vegetables, and olives 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 - 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

# How to Make It:

01 - In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, thyme, paprika, cumin, cayenne if using, salt, and pepper until well combined.
02 - Add sliced chicken to marinade, toss to coat thoroughly, cover, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight for deeper flavor development.
03 - Place grated cucumber in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze firmly to remove as much liquid as possible, ensuring the tzatziki remains thick and creamy.
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. Cover and chill in refrigerator.
05 - Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Add a 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, or until cooked through with lightly charred edges.
07 - Transfer cooked chicken to a cutting board and allow to rest for 5 minutes. Slice 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 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.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The feta tzatziki is so creamy and tangy it turns every bite into something you want to lick off your fingers.
  • Marinated chicken thighs get crispy edges and stay juicy inside, no dry breast meat here.
  • You can prep everything ahead and just sear and assemble when hunger strikes.
  • It feels like a restaurant meal but costs a fraction and tastes better because you control the garlic.
02 -
  • If you do not squeeze the cucumber dry, your tzatziki will be runny and the whole gyro will fall apart in your hands.
  • Marinating the chicken for at least 2 hours instead of 30 minutes makes the difference between good and unforgettable.
  • Let the chicken rest after cooking or all the juices will run out onto the cutting board instead of staying inside the meat.
03 -
  • Use a grill pan with ridges instead of a flat skillet to get those beautiful char marks and smoky flavor.
  • Make a double batch of tzatziki because it disappears fast and tastes amazing on everything from sandwiches to roasted chicken.
  • If your chicken pieces are thick, pound them gently with a meat mallet before marinating so they cook evenly and quickly.
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