Easy Oven-Roasted Chicken Gyros

This meat is so tender, juicy, and full of flavor. The warm richness of the chicken is balanced perfectly next to the cold, tangy tzatziki and fresh crunchy veggies. This tastes super close to authentic Greek street food and is a fun way to entertain with an affordable and impressive meal. 

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 60 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 20 mins
• Calories: 531 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 ½ teaspoons paprika
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 1 large onion
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander seed
• 1 cup Greek yogurt
• ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• ½ cup tzatziki sauce
• 2 8- to 10-inch wooden skewers
• 6 pita breads, warmed
• ½ cup shredded lettuce, or to taste (Optional)
• ½ cup diced tomato, or to taste (Optional)
• ¼ cup diced red onion, or to taste (Optional)

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

Step 2

Combine Greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar, garlic, salt, paprika, black pepper, cumin, coriander, oregano, red pepper, and cinnamon in a medium bowl and stir until well combined. Pound chicken thighs evenly to about 1/2 inch in thickness. Coat all chicken well in marinade, cover, and refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.

Step 3

Cut ends off onion and cut onion in half horizontally. Place onion halves next to each other on a parchment or foil-lined rimmed baking sheet. Insert one skewer into each onion half, standing up vertically. Remove chicken from marinade, allowing excess to drip off, and thread each piece of chicken over the two skewers to form a large stack.

Step 4

Bake in the preheated oven until evenly browned and cooked through, about 1 hour, rotating halfway through. Allow meat to rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

Step 5

Serve sliced chicken in a warm pita topped with tzatziki sauce, lettuce, tomato, and red onion.