Chicken Gyros with Tzatziki
Street-food gyros at home: yogurt-marinated chicken charred under the broiler, piled into warm pita with cool tzatziki, tomato, and red onion. The marinade does the tenderizing, the broiler does the char, and the 0% Greek yogurt tzatziki adds protein instead of cream. Marinate ahead and dinner is 15 minutes.
Method
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Whisk the marinade ingredients together, add the chicken strips, and coat well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, up to overnight.
💡 Tip: The yogurt tenderizes gently and holds the seasoning against the meat. Overnight gives the deepest flavor. -
Make the tzatziki: grate the cucumber, squeeze it as dry as you can, and stir into the yogurt with the garlic, dill, and lemon juice. Season and chill.
💡 Tip: Squeezing the cucumber is the difference between thick tzatziki and a puddle. -
Set the oven to broil. Spread the chicken on a foil-lined tray in a single layer and broil close to the element for 6 to 7 minutes per side, until cooked through and charred at the edges.
💡 Tip: Charred edges are the whole point. Let some pieces properly catch before pulling the tray. -
Warm the pitas and build: tzatziki, chicken, tomato, and red onion. Wrap and eat immediately.
Notes
The yogurt marinade keeps the chicken juicy and carries the garlic, lemon, and oregano deep into the meat. Two hours is good, overnight is better, but do not exceed 24 hours.
The broiler is the closest a home kitchen gets to the char of a gyro spit. Get the chicken close to the element and let the edges catch.
Squeeze the grated cucumber properly for the tzatziki or it will turn watery as it sits.
Nutrition includes the pita. Skip it and serve over salad for a lower-carb bowl.
Nutrition Information
| Calories | 493kcal |
| Total Fat | 10g |
| Total Carbohydrates | 46g |
| Protein | 56g |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why marinate in yogurt?
Yogurt tenderizes chicken gently without turning it mushy the way harsh acid marinades can, and it clings, so the garlic, lemon, and oregano stay on the meat rather than in the bowl.
Can I grill instead of broil?
Absolutely. A hot grill or grill pan gives the same char, about 5 to 6 minutes per side. Skewer the strips if grilling outdoors so nothing falls through.
How do I meal prep this?
Marinate one day, cook the next, and keep components separate. The cooked chicken keeps 4 days and the tzatziki 3. Warm the chicken, assemble fresh.
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