Greek Chicken Gyro Bowls with Tzatziki (Printable)
Mediterranean bowls featuring juicy marinated chicken, fluffy rice, crisp vegetables, and creamy homemade tzatziki sauce.
# What You Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 tsp dried oregano
06 - 1 tsp ground cumin
07 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
08 - 1/2 tsp salt
09 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
→ Tzatziki Sauce
10 - 1 cup Greek yogurt
11 - 1/2 cup cucumber, finely grated and squeezed dry
12 - 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
13 - 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
14 - 1 clove garlic, minced
15 - 1 tbsp olive oil
16 - 1/4 tsp salt
17 - Freshly ground black pepper to taste
→ Bowls
18 - 2 cups cooked basmati or brown rice
19 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
20 - 1 cup cucumber, diced
21 - 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
22 - 1 cup romaine lettuce, chopped
23 - 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
24 - 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
25 - 2 pieces pita bread, optional
26 - Lemon wedges for garnish
# How-To:
01 - In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Add chicken and toss to coat evenly. Marinate for at least 20 minutes or up to overnight in the refrigerator.
02 - In a separate bowl, combine Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, dill, lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Mix well and refrigerate until ready to use.
03 - Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the marinated chicken for 5 to 6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Allow to rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
04 - Divide cooked rice among four bowls. Layer lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, olives, and feta cheese on top of each portion of rice.
05 - Arrange sliced chicken on top of each bowl. Spoon tzatziki sauce generously over the chicken and vegetables.
06 - Serve each bowl with pita bread and lemon wedges on the side.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The chicken marinade works its magic in just 20 minutes, making this totally doable on busy weeknights when youre craving something that doesnt taste rushed.
- Everything can be prepped ahead and assembled in stages, which saved me countless times when hosting friends who always seem to arrive at different times.
02 -
- Grating and thoroughly squeezing the cucumber for tzatziki is non-negotiable - I once skipped this step and ended up with watery sauce that diluted all the flavors.
- Letting the chicken rest for 5 full minutes after cooking keeps it juicy - my impatience once led to dry chicken and precious lost juices on the cutting board.
03 -
- The chicken marinade doubles as an excellent salad dressing - reserve a couple tablespoons before adding raw chicken and refrigerate separately.
- For an extra layer of flavor, sprinkle toasted pine nuts or pepitas over the finished bowls just before serving.