Chicken gyros with tzatziki sauce

Chicken Gyros with Tzatziki Sauce: A Flavorful Culinary Journey

Gyros is a dish that has won the hearts of many food lovers around the world. With Greek influences, this meal enjoys popularity due to its enticing combination of flavors and textures. Today, I will guide you step by step in preparing a delicious recipe for chicken gyros with tzatziki sauce. This is a perfect recipe for a family dinner or to impress friends at a party.

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 1 hour
Total time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Servings: 4-6

Ingredients

For the flatbread:
- 1 packet of dry yeast (about 7 g)
- 250 ml warm water
- 400 g flour (ideally use type 00 wheat flour for a finer texture)
- 50 ml extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt

For the filling:
- 8 boneless chicken thighs (they are juicier than chicken breasts)
- 4 garlic cloves
- 3 teaspoons dried oregano (use fresh oregano if available for extra flavor)
- 2 teaspoons sweet paprika
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- Optional: 1/2 teaspoon chili seeds (for a bit of heat)
- 50 ml olive oil
- 3 red onions
- 3 tomatoes (choose well-ripened tomatoes for an intense taste)
- 6 smaller potatoes, with skin (wash them well, the skin will add flavor)
- 1 bunch of fresh parsley, finely chopped
- Mustard, sweet ketchup, salt, and pepper to taste

For the tzatziki:
- 1 Fabio cucumber (or a larger cucumber if you don't have one)
- 1 garlic clove
- 350 g Greek yogurt (an essential ingredient for authentic tzatziki)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3-4 fresh mint leaves, chopped
- A little fresh dill, chopped
- Salt to taste

Preparation

Step 1: Preparing the flatbreads

Start by dissolving the dry yeast in warm water. Make sure the water is not too hot, otherwise the yeast will die and your flatbreads won't rise. Add 140 g of flour to the water and yeast mixture, mix well, and let the mixture sit for about 30 minutes, covered with a clean towel.

Once the mixture has risen, add the olive oil, salt, and the remaining 260 g of flour. Knead the dough for about 6 minutes until it becomes elastic and smooth. Cover it again and let it rise in a warm place for 2 hours.

Step 2: Preparing the tzatziki

Meanwhile, you can start preparing the tzatziki sauce. Drain the Greek yogurt in a fine sieve over a bowl for about 30 minutes to 1 hour. This step is essential to achieve a creamier sauce without excess water.

Peel the cucumber, cut it in half, and scoop out the seeds with a spoon (that's where the water accumulates). Grate the cucumber and squeeze it well to remove the liquid. In a bowl, crush the garlic clove and add the cucumber, mint, dill, lemon juice, and olive oil. Mix well and adjust the salt. Chill the sauce in the refrigerator to cool and meld the flavors.

Step 3: Preparing the chicken and potatoes

Now it's time to deal with the chicken. Crush the 4 garlic cloves and mix them with 50 ml of olive oil. Rub the chicken thighs with this aromatic mixture. In a separate bowl, mix the oregano, sweet paprika, thyme, chili seeds, salt, and pepper. Use some of this mixture to season the chicken, reserving the rest for the potatoes.

In a baking dish lined with parchment paper, place the chicken thighs and cover them with another piece of parchment paper and aluminum foil. Place the dish in the preheated oven at 180 degrees Celsius.

Cut the potatoes into quarters, place them in a bowl, drizzle with a little olive oil, add the remaining spices, and mix well. Arrange them in a separate dish on the same parchment paper and place them in the oven alongside the chicken. Check occasionally with a fork to see if they are cooked.

After about 50 minutes, increase the oven temperature to 200 degrees to brown both the chicken and the potatoes. Once they are done, remove them from the oven and let them cool slightly.

Step 4: Assembling the gyros

While the chicken and potatoes are cooling, you can prepare the flatbreads. Dust the counter with flour and divide the risen dough into small balls. Let them rest covered with plastic wrap for 10 minutes. Then, roll each ball into a round and thin shape.

Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat and fry the flatbreads for 1-2 minutes on each side until golden and fluffy. Place them on a damp towel to keep them soft.

Slice the tomatoes into thin rounds and the onion into julienne strips. Cut the chicken thighs into smaller pieces.

Assemble the gyros as follows: on a flatbread, add a layer of tzatziki sauce, then the chicken, potatoes, tomato rounds, and onion, a little ketchup and mustard, salt, and chopped parsley. Fold the flatbread and serve with a smile!

Useful tips

- Variations: You can experiment with other types of meat, such as lamb or turkey. You can also add grilled vegetables, such as bell peppers or zucchini, for a delicious vegetarian option.

- Serving: Gyros pairs perfectly with a fresh Greek salad or a serving of fries. A light beer or a refreshing white wine is ideal to accompany this dish.

Nutritional benefits

This chicken gyros with tzatziki sauce recipe is rich in protein due to the chicken and Greek yogurt, while also providing a good source of fiber from the vegetables. Olive oil brings healthy fats, and the spices used not only enhance flavor but also have antioxidant properties.

Frequently asked questions

- Can I use whole wheat flour for the flatbreads? Yes, but the flatbreads will have a different texture and will be denser. It is recommended to use a combination of white and whole wheat flour for a balanced result.

- How can I store leftover gyros? You can store the ingredients separately in airtight containers in the fridge for 2-3 days. Reheat the chicken and potatoes before assembling the gyros again.

This is my chicken gyros with tzatziki sauce, a recipe that combines tradition with quality ingredients. I hope you enjoy this culinary experience and let yourself be carried away by its delicious taste! Enjoy your meal!

 Ingredients: For the lipie: 1 sachet dry yeast 250 ml warm water 400 g flour 50 ml olive oil 1 teaspoon salt For the stuffing 8 boneless upper chicken thighs 4 garlic cloves 3 teaspoons oregano 2 teaspoons sweet paprika 2 teaspoons dried thyme optional 1/2 teaspoon chili seeds 50 ml olive oil 3 red onions 3 tomatoes 6 smaller potatoes with peel 1 bunch parsley, chopped mustard sweet ketchup salt and pepper to taste For the Tsatsiki: 1 Fabio cucumber 1 garlic clove 350 g Greek yogurt 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1 tablespoon olive oil 3 chopped mint leaves a little chopped dill salt to taste

 Tags:  hamburg chicken thighs hamburger homemade shawarma tzatziki sauce gyros sos tsatsiki