Ingredients
Chicken Marinade:
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika (or regular paprika)
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
Tzatziki Sauce:
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 inch piece of English cucumber, peeled and finely diced
For Serving:
- 6 pitas or flatbreads
- 1 small romaine heart, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 of a red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 of an English cucumber, thinly sliced
- Crumbled feta cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Tzatziki Sauce: In a bowl, combine plain Greek yogurt, minced garlic, dried dill, and lemon juice. Stir in the finely diced cucumber and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Cover and refrigerate to allow flavors to meld.
- Marinate Chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a large bowl or a ziplock bag. Combine olive oil, lemon juice, smoked paprika, ground cumin, minced garlic, turmeric, coriander, kosher salt, black pepper, onion powder, cinnamon, and crushed red pepper flakes to create the marinade. Pour the marinade over the chicken and mix well, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated. Marinate for 1 to 4 hours in the refrigerator.
- Grill Chicken: Preheat the grill to medium heat and lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking. Remove the chicken from the marinade, allowing excess marinade to drip off. Grill the chicken for a few minutes on each side, flipping once, until fully cooked and juices run clear. Once cooked, transfer to a plate and let rest for a few minutes before chopping the meat into bite-size pieces.
- Assemble Gyros: Warm or toast the pita breads briefly. Layer each pita with a generous portion of the chopped grilled chicken, followed by chopped romaine lettuce, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced red onion, sliced cucumber, and a dollop of tzatziki sauce. Optionally, sprinkle crumbled feta cheese on top before folding the pita and serving.
Notes
- Chicken Preparation: For even cooking, butterfly thicker chicken breasts by slicing them in half lengthwise to create thinner pieces or use chicken breast filets.
- Make Ahead: Both the tzatziki sauce and the chicken marinade can be prepared and stored separately in airtight containers up to 2-3 days ahead to save time.
- Pre-chop Vegetables: Chop the onion, cucumber, tomato, and romaine a few hours before serving to speed up meal assembly.
- Freezing Instructions: For best results, freeze raw chicken in the marinade in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before grilling. Cooked leftover chicken can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Greek
- Diet: Halal