Cretan Spiced Chicken Gyros by MasterChef UK Winner Irini Tzortzoglou

tzatziki sauce

🥗Healthier: Greek yogurt

💰Cheaper: sour cream

Greek yogurt provides a similar creamy texture with fewer calories.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Canola oil is often more affordable and has a neutral flavor.

chicken thighs

🥗Healthier: chicken breast

💰Cheaper: turkey thighs

Turkey thighs are usually less expensive and still flavorful.

pita bread

🥗Healthier: whole wheat pita

💰Cheaper: flatbread

Flatbread can be more cost-effective while still serving as a wrap.

Prepare the marinade by combining cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, dried oregano, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper in a bowl.

Zest and juice 1 lemon, adding both to the spice mixture.

Add a generous amount of extra virgin olive oil to the marinade.

Massage the marinade into 1 kg of chicken thighs, ensuring they are well coated.

Cover the marinated chicken and refrigerate for at least a few hours or overnight.

Remove the chicken from the fridge 30 minutes before cooking to bring it to room temperature.

Wash and prepare potatoes to create a base for cooking the chicken.

Place the marinated chicken thighs on top of the potatoes in a baking dish, ensuring they are not pressed down too much.

Cover the dish with foil and place it in a preheated oven at 200°C for about 1 hour.

After 1 hour, uncover the dish, drizzle more olive oil over the chicken and potatoes, and season with salt and pepper.

Brown the chicken in the oven for a few minutes after uncovering.

Slice onion and tomato thinly for serving.

Mix sliced onion and tomato with a little vinegar and olive oil for flavor.

Spread tzatziki sauce on pita bread, then layer with sliced chicken, onion, and tomato.

Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with oregano before serving.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens