Description
Juicy and flavorful Greek Chicken Gyros made with tender yogurt-marinated chicken thighs baked to perfection and served in warm pita bread with creamy tzatziki sauce, crisp red onions, and fresh cherry tomatoes. This easy weeknight meal combines Mediterranean spices for a delicious and authentic taste that requires minimal prep and cook time.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 2 pounds chicken thighs (boneless and skinless)
- ½ cup Greek yogurt (plain)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon cumin (ground)
- 1 tablespoon oregano (dried)
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon (ground)
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1 teaspoon pepper (or to taste)
For Serving
- 4 pitas
- ¼ cup tzatziki sauce
- ½ red onion (thinly sliced)
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: Add the chicken thighs along with Greek yogurt, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, olive oil, minced garlic, cumin, oregano, smoked paprika, ground cinnamon, salt, and pepper into a large freezer bag. Seal the bag and gently squeeze to evenly coat the chicken with the marinade. Refrigerate for 1 to 4 hours to allow flavors to deepen.
- Preheat and Bake: Set your oven to 425℉ (220℃). Prepare a baking sheet with a roasting rack to allow airflow under the chicken, which helps achieve crisp edges. Arrange the marinated chicken thighs on the rack and bake for 15 to 18 minutes until cooked through and beginning to crisp on the edges. For extra crispness without drying the meat, broil for an additional 2 to 3 minutes.
- Assemble the Gyros: Remove the chicken from the oven and roughly chop into bite-sized pieces. Warm the pita breads by microwaving for 15-20 seconds or toasting in a dry skillet over medium-high heat. Fill each pita with a portion of chopped chicken, then top with a dollop of tzatziki sauce, thinly sliced red onion, and halved cherry tomatoes. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- These Greek Chicken Gyros are perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, packing vibrant Mediterranean flavors with minimal effort.
- You can marinate the chicken overnight for even more intense flavor, but at least 1 hour is recommended.
- Broiling at the end crisps the edges beautifully without drying the chicken.
- Warm the pitas just before serving to keep them soft and pliable.
- Feel free to add extra toppings like fresh parsley or a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 555 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 1174 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.04 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 53 g
- Cholesterol: 219 mg
