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- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs - Marinade ingredients: - 3 tablespoons olive oil - 2 cloves garlic, minced - 1 tablespoon dried oregano - 1 teaspoon ground cumin - 1 teaspoon paprika - Juice from 1 lemon - Salt and pepper to taste - Tzatziki sauce ingredients: - 1 cup Greek yogurt - 1 cucumber, grated - 1 teaspoon dill, chopped - Toppings: - 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved - 1 red onion, thinly sliced - Fresh parsley, for garnish - 4 pita breads The key to amazing Mediterranean Chicken Gyros is in the ingredients. I use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for their rich flavor and juiciness. The marinade brings it all together. Olive oil, garlic, oregano, cumin, and paprika make a bold mix. A squeeze of lemon brightens it up. I love making tzatziki sauce, too. Greek yogurt gives it creaminess. Grated cucumber adds a fresh crunch. The dill makes it aromatic. Toppings like grape tomatoes and red onion add color and zest. Fresh parsley is a must for garnish. Finally, warm pita bread holds everything. It wraps up the flavors nicely. So gather these ingredients, and let’s get cooking! To start, you need to make the marinade. In a medium bowl, mix together: - 3 tablespoons olive oil - 2 cloves garlic, minced - 1 tablespoon dried oregano - 1 teaspoon ground cumin - 1 teaspoon paprika - Juice from 1 lemon - Salt and pepper to taste This mix creates a bright and flavorful base for the chicken. After you combine everything, add 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken thighs to the bowl. Make sure each piece is well coated with the marinade. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place it in the fridge. It’s best to let the chicken marinate for at least 1 hour. If you can wait longer, let it sit overnight. This longer time really helps the taste soak in. Next up is grilling. First, preheat your grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. This step is key for a nice sear on the chicken. After it’s hot, remove the chicken from the marinade. Place it on the grill and cook for about 6-7 minutes on each side. You want the chicken to be fully cooked. Check that the juices run clear. Once done, take the chicken off the grill and let it rest for a few minutes. This resting time keeps the chicken juicy. After resting, slice the chicken into thin strips. Now, let’s put the gyros together! Start by warming the pita breads on the grill for about a minute on each side. This makes them soft and easy to wrap. Next, take each warmed pita and place some sliced chicken in the center. Add a generous drizzle of tzatziki sauce. For the tzatziki, mix together: - 1 cup Greek yogurt - 1 grated cucumber - 1 teaspoon chopped dill Top off your gyros with halved grape tomatoes and thinly sliced red onion. Finally, garnish with fresh parsley. Wrap the pita around the filling, and your Mediterranean chicken gyros are ready to enjoy! To get the best taste, season your chicken well. Use a good mix of olive oil, garlic, and herbs. Marinate the chicken thighs for at least one hour. For more flavor, marinate overnight. This allows the chicken to soak up all the spices. For the tzatziki sauce, use fresh ingredients. Grate the cucumber well and mix it with Greek yogurt. Add chopped dill for that fresh taste. Taste the sauce and adjust the salt. A little lemon juice can brighten the flavor too. You can cook the chicken in different ways. If you don’t have a grill, use a stovetop grill pan or an oven. For oven cooking, place the chicken on a baking sheet at 400°F for about 20 minutes. To get nice grill marks, preheat your grill well. Avoid moving the chicken too much while it cooks. Flip it only once to keep those beautiful marks. Serve your Mediterranean Chicken Gyros with fresh sides. A salad with cucumbers and tomatoes works well. You can also offer roasted vegetables for a nice touch. For a restaurant-style look, wrap the gyros neatly in parchment paper. Add a lemon wedge on the side for a pop of color. Arrange the plates with a sprinkle of parsley for that final flair. {{image_2}} You can switch up the protein in your gyros. Instead of chicken, use beef or lamb. Both meats work well with the marinade. They bring rich flavors to your dish. If you prefer a plant-based option, try grilled portobello mushrooms or marinated tofu. These choices keep the gyros delicious and fun. For those who need gluten-free options, pita bread is the main concern. You can find gluten-free pita at many stores. Look for brands made from rice or almond flour. Also, make sure all your spices and sauces are gluten-free. This way, you keep the gyros safe for everyone. Gyros differ across Mediterranean countries. In Greece, gyros often use pork or chicken. In Turkey, doner kebab is similar but usually made with lamb or beef. In Cyprus, they add halloumi cheese for a nice touch. Each region has its own twist, giving you plenty of ways to enjoy gyros. To keep your Mediterranean Chicken Gyros fresh, store leftovers properly. I recommend using airtight containers. Glass containers work well and do not absorb odors. If you use plastic, ensure it is BPA-free. Place leftover chicken, tzatziki, and pita in separate containers. This helps maintain texture and flavor. - Airtight glass or plastic containers - Separate chicken, tzatziki, and pita When it’s time to enjoy your leftovers, reheating is key. Use a skillet over low heat. This method warms the chicken without drying it out. Flip the chicken gently to heat evenly. For pita, wrap it in foil and warm in the oven. This keeps it soft and pliable. - Use a skillet over low heat for chicken - Wrap pita in foil and warm in the oven How long can you keep your gyros? The cooked chicken lasts about 3-4 days in the fridge. Tzatziki stays fresh for about 2-3 days. If you freeze the chicken, it can last up to 3 months. Just remember to thaw it in the fridge before reheating. - Cooked chicken: 3-4 days in the fridge - Tzatziki: 2-3 days in the fridge - Frozen chicken: up to 3 months Mediterranean Chicken Gyros are tasty wraps filled with seasoned chicken. They feature the following key ingredients: - 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs - Marinade: 3 tablespoons olive oil, 2 cloves garlic (minced), 1 tablespoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon paprika, juice from 1 lemon, salt, and pepper - Tzatziki sauce: 1 cup Greek yogurt, 1 cucumber (grated), 1 teaspoon dill (chopped) - Toppings: 1 cup grape tomatoes (halved), 1 red onion (thinly sliced), fresh parsley - 4 pita breads This dish brings the flavors of the Mediterranean right to your kitchen. Yes, you can prep parts of this recipe ahead. Here are some tips: - Marinate the chicken up to 24 hours in advance for better taste. - Prepare the tzatziki sauce a day ahead and store it in the fridge. - Slice the veggies, like tomatoes and onions, and keep them fresh in containers. - Warm the pita bread just before serving to keep it soft. This makes your meal easy and quick to assemble. If you need a dairy-free option for tzatziki, try these alternatives: - Use dairy-free yogurt made from almond or coconut. - Blend silken tofu for a creamy texture. - Mix sour cream made from cashew nuts for a similar taste. These options keep your tzatziki tasty and fresh without yogurt. Mediterranean chicken gyros are delicious and easy to make. You learned about the key ingredients, like chicken, tzatziki, and fresh veggies. I shared step-by-step instructions for marinating, grilling, and assembling your gyros. Tips and variations allow for creativity in flavor and texture. Don't forget about storage techniques to keep leftovers fresh. Try making these gyros at home for a tasty experience. Enjoy the flavors of the Mediterranean!

Mediterranean Chicken Gyros

Delight your taste buds with this easy Mediterranean Chicken Gyros recipe! Juicy grilled chicken thighs marinated in zesty herbs and spices are wrapped in warm pita bread, topped with a refreshing homemade tzatziki sauce, grape tomatoes, and red onion. Perfect for a quick dinner or a flavorful lunch. Click through to discover the full recipe and start grilling up delicious gyros that everyone will love!
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Ingredients
  

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs

3 tablespoons olive oil

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon paprika

1 lemon, juiced

Salt and pepper to taste

4 pita breads

1 cup Greek yogurt

1 cucumber, grated

1 teaspoon dill, chopped

1 cup grape tomatoes, halved

1 red onion, thinly sliced

Fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions
 

In a medium bowl, combine olive oil, minced garlic, dried oregano, cumin, paprika, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to create the marinade.

    Add the chicken thighs to the marinade, ensuring they're well coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or overnight for more flavor).

      Preheat your grill or grill pan over medium-high heat.

        Remove the chicken from the marinade and grill for about 6-7 minutes on each side, or until fully cooked and the juices run clear.

          Once cooked, remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing it into thin strips.

            In a bowl, mix the Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, and dill to create the tzatziki sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.

              Warm the pita breads on the grill for a minute on each side.

                To assemble the gyros, place sliced chicken in the center of each warmed pita, adding a generous drizzle of tzatziki sauce, and topping with grape tomatoes and red onion slices.

                  Garnish with fresh parsley and wrap the pita around the filling.

                    Prep Time: 20 mins | Total Time: 1 hr 30 mins | Servings: 4