Easy, Greek-style chicken gyros meat (from boneless chicken breast) – baked in the oven – in foil. Seasoned with simple marinate, baked onion and a recipe for authentic Greek tahini sauce for the perfect Mediterranean gyros dinner/lunch.
A simple yet flavorful chicken gyro meat made from boneless, skinless chicken breast. Marinated in a delicious blend of Mediterranean spices and baked to perfection, this tender and juicy chicken is ideal for gyros and a variety of other dishes.
USE THIS AUTHRNTIC GREEK TAHINI YOGURT SAUCE FOR THE PERFECT GYROS MEAL.
FUN FACTS: Gyros meal, as we know it today, evolved from the ancient practice of cooking meat on a vertical rotisserie. The technique has origins in the Middle East, particularly associated with the Turkish döner kebab, which some say dates back to the Ottoman Empire. Greek immigrants and traders likely adopted and adapted the style of cooking and brought it to Europe, and the Mediterranean (think Greece and Cyprus). The gyro as a dish became widely popular in Greece around the early 20th century. However the Greek version distinguishes itself from döner kebab by typically using pork or nowadays chicken, (rather than lamb or beef), along with tzatziki, tomatoes, onions, and pita bread – to make the beloved in Greece (and across Europe) Mediterranean street food we now call gyro or gyros.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Skinless chicken breasts – boneless is best, so the seasoning can reach the meat directly
- Olive oil, extra virgin
- Garlic bulb, cut at the top – and baked in the foil with the meat
- Cumin powder
- Coriander powder
- Paprika – sweet
- Sumac spice powder, optional
- Generous grind of pepper
- Sprinkle of sea salt
How to cook Chicken Gyro in foil?
1st: Marinate the chicken with olive oil and the spices. Leave it to marinate for a while in the fridge.
2nd: Cut the top off the garlic bulb, sprinkle with some olive oil. Bake completely covered in foil, then brush with the baked garlic and cut to add to gyros dish.
What to serve with foil baked chicken gyro?
To prepare homemade chicken gyro, slice some tomatoes, lettuce and red onions, combine with the meat, tahini sauce and some pita bread (or these homemade pan grilled flatbreads)
Greek Chicken Gyro in Foil
Ingredients
- 600 g skinless chicken breasts, approx. 2 chicken breasts
- 4-6 tbsp. olive oil, extra virgin
- 1 large garlic bulb, cut at the top
- 1 tsp. cumin powder
- 1 tsp. coriander powder
- 2 tsp. paprika
- 1/2 tsp. sumac spice powder, optional
- generous grind of pepper
- sprinkle of sea salt
Instructions
- In a small bowl combine all spices (cumin, coriander, sumac, paprika, salt and pepper). Mix with olive oil well.
- Coat the chicken breast on all sides generously with the olive oil-spice mixture. Leave to marinate in the fridge for 15-30 minutes.
- Layer baking dish with cooking foil leaving more on the side to wrap around the chicken later on. Place the marinated chicken onto the foil, add the garlic bulb (with cut top) on the side. Cover the garlic with one tbsp. olive oil.
- Cover the chicken breast with the foil completely and bake in the oven for about 20-25 minutes or until fully cooked.
- Remove foil, squeeze the cooked garlic on top of chicken and brush on all sides. Serve with gyro, salad or on top of rice.
Notes
Nutrition
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I made that recipe for dinner (not gyros) and it was very delicious