Description
Kalimera’s Famous Greek Chicken Gyros is a flavorful, marinated chicken thigh recipe soaked in a distinctive blend of paprika, mustard powder, oregano, curry, and olive oil. Served with a tangy yogurt-mayo sauce, fresh vegetables, pita bread, and optional crispy chips, these gyros bring authentic Greek street food to your home. The chicken can be grilled or pan-cooked, creating juicy, golden pieces with slightly charred edges wrapped in warm, soft pita for a delicious, satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Marinade
- 1.25 kg / 2.5 lb chicken thighs, skinless boneless
- 1 tbsp sweet paprika (regular paprika, not smoked or spicy)
- 1 tbsp mustard powder (or substitute Dijon mustard)
- 1 tbsp dried oregano (preferably Greek)
- 1/2 tbsp mild curry powder (not spicy, secret ingredient)
- 1 1/2 tsp cooking salt / kosher salt (halve if using table salt, increase by 50% if using flakes)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
Chips (Optional)
- 400g / 14oz thick-cut frozen chips (optional)
- Pinch table salt (for the chips or chicken salt)
Sauce
- 1 cup plain yoghurt (preferably Greek or Greek-style)
- 3 tbsp whole-egg mayonnaise (or regular mayonnaise)
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp yellow American mustard (or Dijon mustard, not spicy English mustard)
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp sweet paprika
- 1/2 tsp cooking salt / kosher salt
Fresh Vegetables and Bread
- 2 tomatoes, halved and sliced
- 3 cups cos lettuce (romaine), finely sliced (5mm / 0.2″)
- 1/2 small red onion, diced (5mm / 0.2″ squares)
- 5 x 20cm / 8″ pita breads (the slightly bready kind preferred)
Instructions
- Marinate Chicken: In a large bowl, thoroughly mix the sweet paprika, mustard powder, dried oregano, mild curry powder, salt, black pepper, and olive oil to create the marinade. Add the skinless, boneless chicken thighs and coat them completely with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for 24 hours, with a minimum marinating time of 3 hours for best flavor infusion.
- Prepare Sauce: Combine the plain yoghurt, whole-egg mayonnaise, extra virgin olive oil, yellow American mustard, garlic powder, sweet paprika, and salt in a bowl. Mix well and set aside for at least 20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld perfectly.
- Cook Chips (Optional): If using chips, cook them beforehand using your preferred method: baking, frying, or air frying. For convenience, baking works well; for a crispier finish, frying is recommended. Season the cooked chips with a pinch of table salt and keep warm in a 100°C (200°F) oven until serving.
- Cook Chicken: BBQ Method (Recommended): Preheat a barbecue grill to medium-high heat. Grill the chicken thighs for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, until they develop a deep golden color with slightly charred edges. Stovetop Method: Heat a large non-stick pan over medium-high heat without oil. Cook the chicken in batches for 3 to 4 minutes per side until deeply golden and fully cooked (internal temp 72°C/162°F). Wipe the pan between batches to remove any stuck bits.
- Rest and Slice Chicken: Remove the cooked chicken from the heat and place on a tray. Loosely cover with foil and allow it to rest for 3 minutes. Then slice the chicken into 1 cm (0.4″) pieces to maintain juiciness.
- Warm Pita Bread: Heat pita bread until warm and pliable. The easiest method is microwaving stacked pitas for 45 seconds to 1.5 minutes on high. Alternatively, brush each side with water and heat in a lightly oiled non-stick pan for about 1 minute per side on medium-high heat. Avoid crisping them to prevent cracking when folded.
- Assemble Gyros: Spread about 3 tablespoons of the prepared sauce down the center of each pita. Layer the sliced chicken atop the sauce, then add the finely sliced lettuce and tomato on one side. Sprinkle diced red onion, add a portion of chips on top, and drizzle with additional sauce. Fold the pita to enclose fillings securely and wrap in foil to hold everything together.
- Serve: Serve the gyros warm with extra sauce on the side for dipping. Enjoy the vibrant, juicy flavors and contrasting textures of this classic Greek street food.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken overnight enhances flavor and tenderness, but a minimum of 3 hours is required.
- The mild curry powder adds a subtle, unique flavor twist without heat.
- Chips are optional but recommended for authentic Greek gyro experience.
- Using yellow American mustard adds characteristic tang; Dijon mustard is a good substitute if unavailable.
- Choose slightly thicker and breadier pita breads to prevent cracking during folding.
