Moroccan Chicken Gyros

Moroccan-spiced chicken breasts sliced and served gyro style with tons of vegetables and topped off with a zingy tahini sauce. This is a healthy sandwich that makes for an amazingly delicious lunch or dinner. Chicken is such a versatile food to cook with. If you’re looking for a unique way to prepare it, try your hand at these Moroccan-inspired chicken gyros! The secret is in the mixture of 7 herbs and spices that we coat the chicken breast in. Pop it in the oven for under an hour and the results are tender, juicy, and flavorful! This recipe is a favorite here at The Stay At Home Chef. It’s a simple meal that is full of flavor, and it’s also light and healthy and packed full of vegetables. While our chicken gyro recipe has little to nothing to do with a traditional Greek gyro, this tasty sandwich is inspired by Gyro sandwiches and the flavors of Morocco for a fusion combination that is sure to inspire. How Do You Pronounce The Word Gyro? First things first, you may be wondering about the correct pronunciation of the word gyro. You may have already heard it as “hee-row” or “jai-row,” but the correct way to say it is “yee-row.” Phonetically, gyro = “Yee-row.” Now you know! What’s a Traditional Gyro ? ..... What’s a Traditional Gyro? As mentioned, our chicken gyro recipe is filled with Moroccan-inspired spices and is quite different from a traditional gyro. Traditionally, gyros are a Greek dish that is usually made with pork. The meat is stacked and then roasted on a vertical rotisserie. It takes on a round shape as it cooks, which is why it was dubbed a “gyro.” In Greek, the word means round. The meat is then served on pita bread with fresh vegetables, tzatziki sauce, and French fries. Equally delicious as our rendition, but as you can see, a bit different! Gyro vs Shawarma vs Souvlaki: There tends to be some confusion around the difference between these three dishes. They are all similar, but each boasts something special: Gyro: A Greek dish made from roasted pork and served on a pita with veggies, fries, and tzatziki sauce. Shawarma: A Middle Eastern street food dish that’s filled with roasted meat that is also cooked on a vertical rotisserie. It’s often served with pickled vegetables instead of fresh. Souvlaki: Another Greek dish made with skewer-roasted pork, chicken, or lamb and eaten with pita and fresh vegetables. Souvlaki is usually enjoyed on a skewer with the bread and toppings on the side instead of in a sandwich. Remember, while our chicken gyro recipe is both Moroccan and Greek-inspired, it is a unique dish that we came up with after experimenting in our kitchen! What is Tahini? Can I Find It In The Grocery Store? You need tahini for our special tahini dressing, which takes this dish next level. Tahini is a ground sesame paste. It is often sold in a tin can or jar and can usually be found in your local supermarket near the other ground nut and seed mixtures like peanut butter. Tahini shouldn’t be mistaken for tzatziki. While the names are slightly similar, they couldn’t be more different. Tzatziki is yogurt-based, while tahini is sesame seed-based. Ingredients: For the chicken: 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 teaspoons ground cumin 1 teaspoon ground paprika 1 teaspoon ground turmeric 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste) Salt and pepper to taste 2 tablespoons olive oil Juice of 1 lemon For the yogurt sauce: 1 cup plain Greek yogurt 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro Salt and pepper to taste For serving: Pita bread or flatbreads Sliced cucumbers Sliced tomatoes Sliced red onions Chopped fresh parsley Instructions... Instructions: In a bowl, combine the minced garlic, ground cumin, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, coriander, ginger, cayenne pepper, salt, pepper, olive oil, and lemon juice. Mix well to form a marinade. Add the thinly sliced chicken breasts to the marinade and toss until the chicken is evenly coated. Cover the bowl and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or ideally, overnight for maximum flavor. While the chicken is marinating, prepare the yogurt sauce. In a separate bowl, mix together the Greek yogurt, lemon juice, chopped mint, chopped cilantro, salt, and pepper. Stir until well combined. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use. Once the chicken has finished marinating, heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken slices for 4-5 minutes on each side, or until fully cooked through and slightly charred. Remove from heat and let rest for a few minutes. Warm the pita bread or flatbreads according to package instructions. To assemble the gyros, spread a generous amount of the yogurt sauce on each warmed pita bread or flatbread. Top with slices of cooked Moroccan spiced chicken, sliced cucumbers, sliced tomatoes, sliced red onions, and chopped fresh parsley. Roll up the gyros tightly and serve immediately. Enjoy your delicious Moroccan Chicken Gyros!