Sure, gyros aren’t typically chicken, nor are they usually baked but this recipe allows for simplicity and comes with a tzatziki recipe!
Traditionally, gryos are lamb or beef and are roasted on a spit! The marinade on the meat caramelizes and the meat is shaved off of the spit onto a fresh pita pocket!
However, not everyone has the ability to roast meat over a spit so chicken gyros are a simple solution for homecooks!
The longer you marinate the chicken the better, but a minimum of 2 hours is preferable! I wouldn’t suggest marinated the chicken for more than 24 hours. While you can use chicken breasts or tenders, chicken thighs (boneless and skinless) are really juicy and easy to make!
Because the chicken is juicy and is marinated in yogurt it can occasionally seep water and liquid as it bakes. If it does this you can remove the sheet pan from the oven and drain the liquid before placing back into the oven.
You can make homemade pitas or use storebought flat breads.
You can heat up the bread in the residual heat from the oven. But it’s best to heat it up on a pan and toast it. If you don’t warm the bread it won’t be pliable!
You can top the flatbread with tzatziki sauce (recipe included) or hummus, or both!
Lettuce is recommended for a refreshing crunch and so are raw red onions. Tomatoes and bell peppers are optional and you can always add any other type of veggies as toppings!
If you enjoyed this recipe for Baked Chicken Gyros with Tzatziki, check out some of my other chicken recipes!
Baked Chicken Gyros with Tzatziki
Ingredients
Chicken Marinade
- 1 Lbs Chicken Thighs, boneless skinless
- ¾ Cup Plain Greek Yogurt
- 1 Tbsp Red Wine Vinegar
- 1 tsp Kosher Salt
- ½ Tbsp Lemon Juice
- ½ Tbsp Fresh Oregano
- ½ tsp Cumin
- ½ tsp Coriander Powder
- ½ tsp Chili Powder
- ½ tsp Smoked Paprika
- 1 Tbsp Olive Oil
- 3 Cloves Garlic, grated
Pita and Toppings
- 4 Pita, flat breads or pockets
- ½ Red Onion, sliced thinly
- 2 Roma Tomatoes, seeded and sliced thinly
- ¼ Head Iceberg Lettuce, shredded
- ½ Orange Bell Pepper, sliced
Tzatziki Sauce
- 1 Cup Plain Greek Yogurt
- ¼ tsp Kosher Salt
- ½ tsp Dill Weed
- ½ Lemon, juiced
- Dash of smoked paprika (optional)
Instructions
Chicken
- Marinate the chicken in the ingredients for the marinade for 2 hours. Cover and store in the refrigerator.
- Once marinaded, place the chicken onto a foil lined baking sheet and place into a 375° oven for 30 to 35 minutes.
- If at any point there is too much liquid being released from either the chicken or the yogurt, you can remove the sheet and drain before placing back into the oven.Prep the toppings and tzatziki sauce while the chicken is baking.
Toppings
- Warm up your pitas in the leftover heat of the oven or on a pan. Warming them up will keep them flexible and pliable!
- Prep and chop your vegetables.
Tzatziki Sauce
- Mix together the ingredients for the sauce. Adjust for taste!
Assembly
- Slice the chicken into thick slices.
- Top the warm pita with tzatziki sauce, some lettuce, the chicken, and veggies of your choosing.
- Enjoy warm!