Mediterranean Chicken Gyros Feta Tzatziki (Printable)

Charred lemon-herb chicken meets creamy feta tzatziki and fresh vegetables in warm pita bread for a satisfying Mediterranean meal.

# What You Need:

→ Chicken Marinade

01 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
02 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
05 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
06 - 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
07 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
08 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
09 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
10 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
11 - 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, thinly sliced

→ Creamy Feta Tzatziki

12 - 1 cup full-fat Greek yogurt
13 - 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
14 - 1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded, grated, and excess water squeezed out
15 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
16 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
17 - 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
18 - 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh dill
19 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Serving and Assembly

20 - 4 to 6 pita breads or flatbreads
21 - 1 cup shredded romaine lettuce
22 - 1 cup diced ripe tomatoes
23 - 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
24 - 1/4 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
25 - Fresh parsley or mint leaves for garnish
26 - Lemon wedges for serving

# How To Make It:

01 - In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, thyme, paprika, cumin, cayenne pepper if using, salt, and pepper until well combined.
02 - Add the sliced chicken to the marinade and toss thoroughly to coat all pieces. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight for maximum flavor development.
03 - Place the grated cucumber in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze firmly to remove as much liquid as possible, ensuring a thick and creamy consistency.
04 - In a medium bowl, combine the drained cucumber, Greek yogurt, crumbled feta, minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and chopped dill. Stir until smooth and creamy, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover and chill in the refrigerator.
05 - Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Add a light drizzle of olive oil if the pan is not nonstick.
06 - Remove the chicken from the marinade, shaking off excess liquid. Cook in a single layer for 5 to 7 minutes per side, or until the chicken is cooked through with lightly charred edges.
07 - Transfer the cooked chicken to a cutting board and allow it to rest for 5 minutes. Slice into thin strips.
08 - While the chicken rests, warm the pita breads in a dry skillet over medium heat or wrapped in foil in a low oven for 2 to 3 minutes.
09 - Lay a warmed pita on a plate and spread a generous spoonful of creamy feta tzatziki in the center. Layer with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, red onion slices, and Kalamata olives.
10 - Arrange sliced chicken on top of the vegetables, drizzle with additional tzatziki, and garnish with fresh parsley or mint leaves. Serve immediately with lemon wedges for squeezing.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The feta folded into the tzatziki adds a creamy, salty richness you won't find in the usual versions.
  • Chicken thighs stay juicy even if you char them a little too hard, which I did more than once.
  • Everything can be prepped ahead, so dinner feels like assembly instead of actual cooking.
  • It tastes like vacation but costs less than takeout and uses ingredients you probably already have.
02 -
  • Squeeze the cucumber hard—I didn't the first time and ended up with runny tzatziki that slid right off the pita.
  • Let the chicken rest after cooking or all the juices will run out when you slice it, leaving the meat dry.
  • Don't skip warming the pitas; cold bread tears and doesn't fold right, and it ruins the whole experience.
03 -
  • Use a grill pan instead of a regular skillet if you have one—the char marks add flavor and make the chicken look restaurant-quality.
  • Let the tzatziki chill for at least an hour before serving so the flavors have time to come together and mellow.
  • If you want extra crispy chicken, pat the pieces dry after marinating and before they hit the pan.
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