Description
Greek street cuisine shines through this authentic chicken gyros recipe, delivering Mediterranean flavors with ease. Crisp pita, marinated chicken, and creamy tzatziki create a delicious meal you will savor from first bite to last.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.32 lbs (0.6 kg) boneless chicken thighs
- ¾ cup (180 ml) extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) finely chopped garlic
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) lemon juice
- 2.5 tbsps (37.5 ml) dried rosemary
- 2.5 tbsps (37.5 ml) whole coriander seeds
- 2.5 tbsps (37.5 ml) red chili flakes
- 1 tsp (5 ml) black peppercorns
- ½ large onion
- 1 bamboo skewer
- coarse sea salt to taste
Instructions
- Meat Preparation: Pound chicken thighs between plastic wrap to create uniform 1/2-inch thickness, ensuring even marinade absorption and consistent cooking.
- Spice Blend Creation: Grind paprika, coriander seeds, black peppercorns, rosemary, chili flakes, and sea salt into a coarse powder using a mortar and pestle, releasing aromatic essential oils.
- Marinade Development: Mix ground spices with minced garlic, extra virgin olive oil, and lemon juice, transforming the blend into a vibrant, flavor-packed liquid marinade.
- Marination Process: Thoroughly coat each chicken thigh with marinade, wrap individually in plastic film, and refrigerate for minimum 2 hours or overnight to allow deep flavor infusion.
- Roasting Technique: Construct a vertical roasting setup by securing an onion half as a base and threading marinated chicken thighs onto a sturdy bamboo skewer in a compact arrangement.
- Oven Roasting: Position skewered chicken in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C), roasting for 55-65 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
- Resting and Serving: Allow roasted meat to rest 10-15 minutes, enabling juice redistribution, then slice into thin diagonal strips and serve immediately with cool tzatziki sauce.
Notes
- Maximize Marinade Absorption: Pound chicken thighs evenly to create a uniform surface, allowing deeper flavor penetration and more consistent cooking.
- Grind Spices Fresh: Use a mortar and pestle to crush whole spices moments before marinating, releasing maximum aromatic oils and intensifying flavor complexity.
- Master Moisture Retention: Let chicken rest after roasting to allow internal juices to redistribute, ensuring each slice remains succulent and tender.
- Temperature Precision Matters: Use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches exactly 165°F (74°C), guaranteeing food safety without overcooking and maintaining juicy texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 427
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 25 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg