Grecian Chicken Gyros Food

GREEK CHICKEN GYROS RECIPE WITH AUTHENTIC TZATZIKI SAUCE

Steps:

• Make the Tzatziki SauceMake this Authentic Greek Tzatziki Sauce a few hours in advance or overnight.
• Marinate the Chicken
• Measure the marinade ingredients and put them into a 1 gallon zip top bag, close the bag and then massage the bag to mix well.
• Add the chicken tenders to the zip top bag, close the bag and then massage the bag so that each chicken tender is well covered by the marinade.
• Place the bag in the refrigerator and let it marinate for at least 3 hours. 12 hours works the best, but don't marinate it longer than 24 hours or your chicken will be too mushy.
• Warm the Pita Bread
• Preheat your oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Just before you cook the chicken, place the pita breads on a baking sheet and place them in the oven to be warmed.
• Cook the Chicken
• You can cook the chicken on an outdoor grill or an indoor grill pan. Brush the grill / grill pan with olive oil, then preheat using medium high heat.
• After the grill / grill pan is hot, remove the chicken from the marinade bag and place on the grill / grill pan.
• Cook the chicken for 3 to 5 minutes on each side (cooking time depends on the size of chicken tenders), until they are golden brown and thoroughly cooked with an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Remove the chicken from the grill / grill pan and place onto a cutting board. Cover with foil and allow to rest for 5 minutes.
• Slice the chicken tenders and put on a serving plate.
• Assemble the Gyros
• Lay out a warmed pita bread.
• Place sliced chicken down the middle of the pita bread.
• Top the chicken with an ample amount of tzatziki sauce.
• Garnish the top of the tzatziki sauce with cucumber, tomatoes, red onions, feta cheese and optionally parsley.
• Fold up the pita bread and enjoy!

HOMEMADE GREEK CHICKEN GYRO RECIPE

Steps:

• To prepare this chicken gyro recipe, start by preparing the marinade for the gyro. In a large bowl, combine marinade ingredients and stir well.
• On a cutting board, place a piece of plastic wrap over the chicken thighs and pound until about 1 1/2 cm thick with a meat mallet or heavy pan.
• In another large bowl combine chicken thighs and marinade, stirring well to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to one day.
• Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F).
• Skewer the chicken thighs individually on a spit (make sure to skewer them pretty tight). In between the chicken pieces skewer the onion and peppers.
• Bake for about 1- 1 and 1/2 hour, until internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C)
• Let it rest for about 8 minutes and then carve slices with a sharp knife.
• In the meantime prepare the tzatziki sauce for the chicken gyro. Pour in a blender the olive oil and grated garlic and blend until combined.
• Remove the skin and seeds of the cucumber and grate it into a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper and leave aside for 10 minutes. Wrap the grated cucumber in a towel and squeeze, in order to get rid of the excess water.
• In a bowl, add the cucumber, the blended garlic and oil, the yogurt, 1-2 tbsps of red wine vinegar, a pinch of salt and blend, until the ingredients are combined.
• Store the tzatziki sauce in the fridge and always serve cold.
• Prepare the pita breads. Preheat the oven to 250C. Use a cooking brush to oil the pita breads on both sides and season with salt and oregano. Place a large oven tray (upside down) at the bottom of the oven and place the pita breads on top of the tray. Bake for 2-3 minutes.
• Chicken gyro is usually served wrapped, like a sandwich. Spread some tzatziki sauce on the pita breads and top it with the chicken gyro, some slices of red onion, some sliced tomato and fried potatoes and wrap.
• For an easier version of this traditional Greek souvlaki with chicken gyro recipe you can serve with Greek yogurt or some mustard and mayonnaise sauce. Enjoy!

CHICKEN GYROS FOR 2

Steps:

• Combine lemon juice, oil, 1/2 t of the garlic, mustard and oregano in a gallon zip top plastic bag.
• Add chicken and seal bag.
• Turn bag and gently move chicken around to distribute marinade evenly.
• Refrigerate at least 1 hour.
• In a small bowl combine cucumber, yogurt, dill and remaining garlic. Cover and refrigerate until serving. (NOTE: Cucumbers have a lot of moisture in them so if you want your sauce to be less runny really drain them well and squeeze the water out if you want.).
• Drain chicken, discarding marinade.
• In a large nonstick skillet saute the chicken for 7-8 minutes or until juices run clear.
• Spoon half the chicken on each pita and top with cucumber mixture and sliced onion.
• Lettuce and tomato may be added if you like.
• Fold in half and enjoy.

BIG BARBECUE CHICKEN KEBAB

Steps:

• First, whisk all the marinade ingredients together with 1 tsp salt in a large bowl or, better still, a large plastic container that has a lid. Open out each chicken thigh, cover with a piece of baking parchment and flatten it with your hand, then lift off the paper and cut the thigh in half. Tip into the marinade and mix so it's completely coated. Cover, chill and marinate for at least 1 hr or up to 24 hrs - the longer, the better.
• Thread all the chicken onto two skewers so that both skewers go through each piece of meat, packing down tightly as you go to make a compact kebab (see tip, below).
• Light a lidded barbecue, and let the flames die down. Once the coals have turned ashen, pile them up on one side with a single layer of coals scattered around the other side. Lay the chicken kebab on the side of the barbecue with only a few coals underneath. Put the lid down and cook for 45 mins, turning every 15 mins. To finish, lift the lid and roll the kebab over to the hotter side to char the meat, turning it every few minutes until well browned and cooked through. Prise the chicken pieces apart in the centre to check they're cooked, or use a digital cooking thermometer - it should read 70C or more. Leave to rest for 5-10 mins while you cook the pittas (see recipe, opposite). Bring the kebab to the table and carve into thin slices with a serrated knife. Pile the carved meat into the warm pittas, then the sliced red onions and tomatoes, chips and tzatziki (see our recipes, below).

GRECIAN CHICKEN GYROS

Steps:

• Preheat your oven or toaster oven to 380 degrees F.
• In a large mixing bowl combine oregano, onion powder, and lemon juice and 2 tbl spoons of olive oil with the chicken.
• On a greased cookie sheet, flatten out the chicken into a thin uniform slab.
• Sprinkle on sea salt, black pepper, and just a dash of season salt.
• Pour on a little bit of olive oil, about a tbl. spoon and add to oven.
• Bake for 7 minutes and turn. Before adding back to heat, sprinkle pepper and seasoning salt and about a tbl. spoon of olive oil.
• During cooking time you may add fresh squeezed lemon once or twice to each side.
• Once this is done, about 14 minutes, you may remove and slice!
• I serve this with whole wheat pita bread and cucumber mint sauce to make sandwiches.