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Easy Homemade Greek Chicken Gyros with Lemon-Herb Marinade

Craving the taste of the Mediterranean? These easy homemade Greek Chicken Gyros with juicy lemon-herb marinated chicken, creamy tzatziki, and crisp veggies wrapped in warm pita bring all those amazing flavors right to your table. Perfect for busy weeknights!
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Greek, Mediterranean
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Lemon-Herb Chicken
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast cut into thin strips
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice freshly squeezed preferred
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper freshly ground preferred
For Assembly
  • 4 pita breads soft, pliable
  • 1 cup tzatziki sauce store-bought or homemade
  • 1 cup chopped lettuce crisp romaine or iceberg
  • 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup sliced red onion optional: soak in cold water if too strong
  • fresh parsley or dill chopped, for garnish (optional)

Equipment

  • Medium bowl
  • Large Skillet or Grill
  • Tongs or Spatula

Method
 

  1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and pepper to make the marinade.
  2. Step 2: Cut chicken breast into thin, bite-sized strips. Add the chicken to the marinade, ensuring every piece is coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (up to 4 hours for more flavor).
  3. Step 3: While the chicken marinates, preheat your grill or a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  4. Step 4: Add the marinated chicken strips in a single layer to the hot grill or skillet. Cook in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding. Cook for about 5-7 minutes per side, or until the chicken is fully cooked through and has seared marks.
  5. Step 5: As the chicken finishes cooking, quickly warm the pita breads on the grill, in a dry skillet, or microwave for 15-20 seconds until soft and pliable.
  6. Step 6: To assemble, open each warm pita. Spoon a generous dollop of tzatziki inside. Pile in the cooked lemon-herb chicken, followed by chopped lettuce, diced tomatoes, and sliced red onion. Garnish with fresh parsley or dill if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

Store cooked chicken, prepped veggies, and tzatziki in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. Cooked chicken lasts 3-4 days, prepped veggies 1-2 days, and tzatziki about a week. Gently reheat chicken before assembling fresh gyros. Don't skip the marinating time (at least 30 minutes is key for flavor). Cut chicken strips uniformly for even cooking. Ensure your pan or grill is hot before adding chicken to get a nice sear. Avoid overcrowding the pan; cook in batches if needed. This recipe is highly customizable - try different proteins like lamb, beef, tofu, or halloumi, and add extra veggies like cucumber, bell peppers, or olives. You can also serve the chicken and toppings over rice or quinoa as a bowl instead of in a pita.