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Greek Chicken Gyros Recipe

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4 from 4 reviews

This Greek Chicken Gyros recipe offers juicy, marinated chicken thighs cooked to perfection on a vertical spit in the oven, delivering authentic Mediterranean flavors infused with lemon, garlic, oregano, and honey Dijon mustard. Ideal for serving with pita, tzatziki, or Greek-style sides, this dish is a delicious and flavorful way to enjoy homemade gyros.

Ingredients

Chicken Marinade

  • 12 boneless skinless chicken thighs (1.3kg total)
  • 1/8 cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons honey Dijon mustard
  • 6 cloves minced garlic (or 3 very large cloves)
  • Zest of two lemons
  • 1/2 tablespoon salt (adjust if using table salt)
  • Dry oregano, to taste

For Cooking

  • 1 cup water or stock (to place at the bottom of the pan)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the gyros.
  2. Prepare Marinade: In a large bowl, combine the chicken thighs with olive oil, honey Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, lemon zest, and dry oregano. Mix thoroughly to coat all chicken pieces evenly. Marinate for at least one hour, or preferably overnight for enhanced flavor.
  3. Assemble Gyro Spit: Thread the marinated chicken thighs onto a vertical gyro spit plate, alternating each piece in the opposite direction to ensure even cooking.
  4. Alternative Spit Setup: If you don’t have a vertical gyro spit plate, create your own by halving an onion and placing it on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Insert two wooden skewers vertically into the onion to secure the chicken.
  5. Prepare for Baking: Position the assembled gyro upright in the oven-safe pan and pour 1 cup of water or stock into the base to create a flavorful sauce as it cooks.
  6. Protect Chicken: Cover the top chicken thigh with a small piece of pierced foil to prevent it from burning during baking.
  7. Bake: Bake the gyros for 75 to 90 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through and tender. The recipe example took approximately 1.5 hours.
  8. Rest and Serve: Remove the gyro from the oven, allow it to rest briefly before slicing. Serve your Greek Chicken Gyros with pita, tzatziki, loaded Greek fries, or a fresh Greek salad for a complete meal.

Notes

  • Marinating overnight intensifies the flavors and improves tenderness.
  • If you lack a vertical gyro oven plate, the homemade onion and skewer method is an effective and affordable alternative.
  • Covering the top chicken with foil prevents charring due to direct heat exposure.
  • Using stock instead of water for the base adds richer flavor to the cooking juices.
  • Check chicken doneness by ensuring the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  • Serve with traditional accompaniments like tzatziki sauce and warm pita bread for an authentic experience.

Find it online: https://bitezly.com/greek-chicken-gyros-recipe-2/