Mediterranean Chicken Gyro

I'm holding onto the warmer weather and making as many BBQ and salad recipes as I can before the cold weather sets in.

There is nothing better than an easy, yet very tasty recipe. This one is a winner and great if you are having friends over for a BBQ as you can make it all ahead of time, and just pop the chicken on the barbie when you're ready to cook.

If you’re short on time you could even buy the tzatziki BUT I recommend you make it, as the homemade version really takes the meal to the next level.

Serves around 6

CHICKEN
1 tablespoon olive oil
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon hot smoked paprika, plus more to taste
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
Freshly ground black pepper
1.2 - 1.5kg boneless, skinless chicken thighs

TZATZIKI DRESSING
2 cups plain, unsweetened Greek yogurt
1 cucumber, unpeeled
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
1 tablespoon minced fresh dill
2 medium cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

SALAD
1 head lettuce, chopped
1 red onion, thinly sliced
3 tomatoes, chopped
1 cucumber, chopped
4 pita breads or more as needed 

Prepare the chicken:
✖️Combine all ingredients in a large freezer bag.
✖️Rub all around, coating chicken as evenly as possible.
✖️Let marinate for 20 minutes or up to 24 hours, whatever time you have.

Make tzatziki:
✖️Place the yogurt in a medium bowl.

✖️Quarter your cucumber lengthwise & cut out the seeded area. Coarsely grate your cucumber & squeeze out the juice.
✖️Add cucumber to yogurt bowl along with lemon, vinegar, dill, garlic, salt & pepper & stir to combine. Chill until needed.

Prepare salad components:
✖️Arrange lettuce, onion, tomatoes & cucumbers on a platter. If desired, toss onion with a squeeze of lemon and/or dash or two of vinegar & salt so that it mellows/lightly pickles while it rests.

Cook chicken:
✖️Heat your grill / BBQ to high heat.

✖️Remove chicken from marinade & grill until cooked.
✖️Transfer cooked chicken to a cutting board, let rest for a couple minutes while you quickly heat/toast your pitas on the grill.
✖️Cut chicken into thin strips. Serve up with pitas & let everyone dig in.