Grilled Chicken Gyros with Tzatziki Sauce - Recipe Diaries (2024)

FAQs

What is the sauce on a gyro made of? ›

Tzatziki is a creamy cucumber yogurt dip (or sauce) made from simple ingredients including strained yogurt (or Greek yogurt), cucumbers, garlic, and sometimes fresh herbs such as dill or mint. Traditionally, it is made from strained sheep or goat's milk yogurt, but a full-fat Greek yogurt works just fine in this dip.

Greek Chicken Gyros are easy, flavorful, make ahead and healthy – winning! The combination of juicy Greek lemon chicken, creamy cucumber dill tzatziki, fresh crisp veggies, and tangy feta wrapped in warm pita bread is out of this world.

The pita is more prevalent, and gyros have been around for a short time. The pita is a soft and leavened flatbread, generally round or oval. It is often used in pockets because that helps hold the fillings and can also be cut and used as a tortilla. On the other hand, Gyros is the meat filling inside the pita.

Following World War II, Gyros made with lamb (called as döner kebab by some restaurants) was present in Athens. It was likely introduced by immigrants from Anatolia and the Middle East. The Greek version is normally made with pork and served with tzatziki, and became known as gyros.

In this traditional kebab dish, the lamb is seasoned, pressed into a cylinder, and continuously rotated until fully cooked. When the lamb is too lean, layers of fat are sometimes added. Lamb is the most common and traditional meat used in Gyros.

In some cases, gyro meat may be processed and contain additives and preservatives for flavor enhancement and preservation. Processed meats have been associated with health risks, including an increased risk of certain cancers and cardiovascular diseases.

Contrary to popular belief, authentic Greek gyros are NOT processed meat. Traditionally, gyros are made from slices of marinated chicken, or lamb, stacked on a vertical rotisserie, and slow-cooked to perfection.

Souvlaki is marinated pork, chicken, beef, or lamb grilled on a skewer. It's typically served on a skewer, but you can also eat it in a warm pita or over salad. Gyros are made with stacked meat (usually pork, but other meats are common) that has been cooked on a vertical rotisserie.

For example, instead of using a pita to make a gyro or falafel sandwich, you can use naan to create a delicious fusion dish. Naan can also be used to scoop up dips like hummus or served alongside Indian curries, Italian sauces or even chili.

Is chicken shawarma the same as chicken gyro? ›

Gyro is savory with a hint of sweetness and garlic, while Shawarma has a smoky flavor with a hint of sweetness from the marinade. To add flavor and texture, both dishes can be topped with various sauces, pickles, and vegetables. The main difference between shawarma and gyro is the type of meat used.

▫ Souvlaki is primarily made of pork or chicken meat, seasoned and/or marinated. ▫ It can be served straight off the grill, either on a stick, ("kalamaki") or inside a Greek pita.

The traditional way to eat a gyro is to hold it with two hands, with the pita bread wrapped around the meat and the toppings. Hold the bottom of the pita bread to prevent the filling from falling out. When enjoying a gyro, taking your time and savoring the flavors is important.

With its combination of chicken and veggies, chicken gyros make for a healthy meal-on-the-go. While the total number of calories and nutrients depends on the type and amount of ingredients you use, a typical chicken gyro is a good source of fiber, protein, B vitamins, vitamin A and calcium.

Gyros can be enjoyed hot or cold; however, it is best when heated. Feta cheese can be added as a topping, or hummus can be slathered on the pita bread for a delicious alternative.

I replace thick sauces like my tzatziki sauce with homemade mayonnaise and coconut milk. Substituting ingredients will take some getting used to, but eventually, it will become second nature.

The white sauce is made with yogurt, mayo, spices, and some lemon vinegar. However, if you want to make a healthier or vegan version, you can replace the mayonnaise with a plant-based mayo and the yogurt with Greek yogurt (or a plant-based yogurt)!

Typically, the main ingredients in tzatziki sauce are Greek yogurt, cucumbers, lemon juice, minced garlic, and fresh dill. But the tzatziki sauce at Arby's has one little difference that completely shakes things up! Arby's leaves out the Greek yogurt and uses sour cream instead.

Tzatziki, 12 oz at Whole Foods Market.