Chicken Souvlaki Gyro Recipe

Chicken breast: Cut into cubes, this lean protein is the star of the dish.

Olive oil: Used for marinating the chicken, it adds a rich flavor and helps in grilling.

Garlic: Minced, it infuses the chicken with a robust, aromatic flavor.

Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed, it adds a zesty brightness to the marinade.

Oregano: Dried, it provides a classic Mediterranean herb flavor.

Salt: Enhances the overall taste of the marinade.

Black pepper: Freshly ground, it adds a hint of spice and depth.

Pita bread: Soft and warm, it serves as the perfect wrap for the gyro.

Tzatziki sauce: A creamy, tangy sauce that complements the grilled chicken.

Tomatoes: Diced, they add freshness and juiciness to the gyro.

Red onion: Sliced, it provides a sharp, crunchy contrast.

Lettuce: Shredded, it adds a crisp texture and freshness.

To achieve the most flavorful chicken for your souvlaki, make sure to marinate it for at least 2 hours, or even overnight if possible. This allows the olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, and oregano to deeply penetrate the meat, resulting in a more tender and aromatic dish. Additionally, when grilling, ensure the chicken skewers are spaced out evenly on the grill to promote even cooking and avoid steaming.

• chicken breast - Substitute with turkey breast: Turkey breast has a similar texture and flavor profile, making it a suitable alternative for chicken in this dish.

• olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a high smoke point and a mild flavor, making it a good substitute for olive oil in cooking.

• garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots provide a milder, slightly sweet flavor that can complement the other ingredients in the recipe.

• lemon juice - Substitute with lime juice: Lime juice offers a similar acidity and citrus flavor, making it a good alternative to lemon juice.

• dried oregano - Substitute with dried thyme: Dried thyme has a similar earthy flavor and can be used in place of oregano in many Mediterranean dishes.

• salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a salty and umami flavor, but use it sparingly to avoid overpowering the dish.

• freshly ground black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper has a similar heat and flavor profile but is slightly milder, making it a good alternative.

• pita bread - Substitute with naan bread: Naan bread has a similar texture and can be used as a wrap for the gyro.

• tzatziki sauce - Substitute with hummus: Hummus provides a creamy texture and complementary flavors, making it a good alternative to tzatziki sauce.

• diced tomatoes - Substitute with roasted red peppers: Roasted red peppers offer a sweet and smoky flavor that can enhance the overall taste of the gyro.

• sliced red onion - Substitute with green onions: Green onions provide a milder onion flavor and can add a fresh element to the dish.

• shredded lettuce - Substitute with baby spinach: Baby spinach offers a similar texture and adds a nutritional boost to the gyro.

• Allow the chicken souvlaki to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the pita bread soggy.
• Place the grilled chicken cubes in an airtight container. If you have leftover tzatziki sauce, store it separately in a sealed container to maintain its freshness.
• For the vegetables, such as diced tomatoes, sliced red onion, and shredded lettuce, store them in separate containers lined with a paper towel to absorb excess moisture.
• If you plan to enjoy the gyros within a few days, store all components in the refrigerator. The chicken will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days, while the tzatziki sauce and vegetables will last about 2-3 days.
• To freeze the chicken souvlaki, place the cooled chicken cubes in a freezer-safe bag or container. Label with the date and freeze for up to 2 months.
• When ready to enjoy, thaw the chicken in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat the chicken in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave until warmed through.
• For the pita bread, wrap each piece individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil before placing them in a freezer-safe bag. This prevents them from sticking together and makes it easy to grab just what you need.
• To reheat the pita bread, warm them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-7 minutes or until soft and pliable. Alternatively, you can microwave them for about 20-30 seconds.
• Assemble the gyros with the reheated chicken, fresh tzatziki sauce, and vegetables just before serving to ensure the best texture and flavor.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Wrap the chicken souvlaki in aluminum foil to keep it moist.
  3. Place the wrapped chicken on a baking sheet and heat for about 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through.
  4. For the pita bread, wrap it in foil and place it in the oven for the last 5 minutes of reheating the chicken.
  5. Reassemble your gyro with fresh tzatziki sauce, diced tomatoes, sliced red onion, and shredded lettuce.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add a small amount of olive oil to the skillet.
  3. Place the chicken souvlaki in the skillet and heat for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally until warmed through.
  4. Warm the pita bread in another dry skillet for about 1 minute on each side.
  5. Reassemble your gyro with fresh tzatziki sauce, diced tomatoes, sliced red onion, and shredded lettuce.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place the chicken souvlaki on a microwave-safe plate.
  2. Cover the chicken with a damp paper towel to prevent it from drying out.
  3. Microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking and stirring halfway through.
  4. Warm the pita bread by wrapping it in a damp paper towel and microwaving for about 20-30 seconds.
  5. Reassemble your gyro with fresh tzatziki sauce, diced tomatoes, sliced red onion, and shredded lettuce.

• Air Fryer Method:

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the chicken souvlaki in the air fryer basket.
  3. Heat for about 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even heating.
  4. Warm the pita bread in the air fryer for the last 1-2 minutes.
  5. Reassemble your gyro with fresh tzatziki sauce, diced tomatoes, sliced red onion, and shredded lettuce.

• Mixing bowl: A large bowl used to combine the olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, oregano, salt, and black pepper with the chicken cubes.

• Garlic press: A tool to mince the garlic cloves efficiently.

• Measuring spoons: Used to measure the olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, salt, and black pepper accurately.

• Skewers: Used to thread the marinated chicken cubes for grilling.

• Grill: A cooking appliance to cook the chicken skewers and warm the pita bread.

• Tongs: Used to turn the chicken skewers on the grill and handle the pita bread.

• Cutting board: A surface to dice the tomatoes and slice the red onion.

• Chef's knife: A sharp knife to cut the chicken breast into cubes and to dice the tomatoes and slice the red onion.

• Serving platter: A plate to assemble and serve the gyros.

• Measuring cup: Used to measure the tzatziki sauce, diced tomatoes, sliced red onion, and shredded lettuce.

Marinate in advance: Prepare the chicken and marinade the night before to save time on the day of cooking.

Pre-chop vegetables: Dice the tomatoes, slice the red onion, and shred the lettuce ahead of time.

Use store-bought tzatziki: Opt for pre-made tzatziki sauce to cut down on preparation time.

Double the recipe: Cook extra chicken and store it for quick meals later in the week.

Warm pita in batches: Heat multiple pita breads at once on the grill to save time.