Description
This recipe transforms the classic gyro into a nutritionally balanced powerhouse, bursting with fresh, vibrant Mediterranean flavor. We use an intelligent sheet-pan method to cook lemon-herb marinated chicken alongside spiced chickpeas, creating a delicious textural contrast. Packed into a warm whole-wheat pita with a refreshing dill-cucumber yogurt sauce, it’s a perfectly satisfying meal that fully embraces a heart-healthy lifestyle.
Ingredients
For the Lemon-Herb Chicken & Chickpeas:
- 1 ½ cups plain non-fat Greek yogurt
- 1 large lemon (zested and juiced (about ¼ cup juice))
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (divided)
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 5 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 ½ teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt (divided)
- 2 lbs boneless (skinless chicken breasts, cut into thin strips)
- 1 15-ounce can chickpeas, rinsed and patted dry
For the Dill-Cucumber Yogurt Sauce:
- 1 cup plain non-fat Greek yogurt
- ½ English cucumber (finely grated and squeezed of excess water)
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill (chopped)
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
For Assembly:
- 6 large (6-inch 100% whole-wheat pita breads)
- 2 Roma tomatoes (thinly sliced)
- 1 large red bell pepper (thinly sliced)
- 1 small red onion (thinly sliced)
- ½ cup pitted Kalamata olives (halved)
- 1 cup shredded romaine lettuce
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk yogurt, lemon zest/juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, oregano, smoked paprika, cumin, coriander, black pepper, cayenne, and 1 tsp kosher salt.
- Add chicken; toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate 30 minutes to 4 hours.
- Heat oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss chickpeas with remaining 1 tbsp olive oil and ½ tsp kosher salt.
- Shake or wipe excess marinade from chicken; discard leftover marinade. Arrange chicken in a single layer on a rimmed sheet pan. Spread chickpeas on a second sheet pan.
- Roast 20–25 minutes, flipping chicken and rotating pans halfway; cook until chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) and chickpeas are lightly crisp.
- For the sauce, whisk yogurt, cucumber, dill, garlic, and lemon juice until smooth; stir in olive oil.
- Warm pitas in the oven for 1–2 minutes. Spread sauce on each pita, add chicken and chickpeas, top with tomatoes, bell pepper, onion, olives, and lettuce. Fold and serve.
Notes
Nutrition Facts per Serving (1 of 6 gyros): Calories: 620 kcal | Total Fat: 19.5 g (Saturated Fat: 3.2 g) | Total Carbs: 57.6 g (Fiber: 10.6 g, Net Carbs: 47.0 g) | Protein: 55.8 g | Sodium: 1,099 mg
Disclaimer: Nutrition information is an estimate calculated using USDA data and is provided for informational purposes only. Actual values may vary based on ingredient brands, portion sizes, and cooking methods. This information is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized guidance.
Nutrition
- Calories: 620
