The pot lid rattles and you know dinner is almost ready. That little sound the float valve makes when it starts jumping up and down means your pressure cooker is working its charm. You catch a whiff of those herbs and garlic mixing with chicken cooking tenderly inside, and it’s like a promise of good things to come.
You're standing there with your apron, a little tired but excited. The broth depth inside the pot just right, bathing every strip of chicken in flavorful steam. You recall how quick this all came together, just a few shakes of spices and some yogurt in the mix, and now it’s all getting very close.
Sometimes life’s just crazy busy, and when you gotta put a meal on the table fast but don’t wanna settle for bland, this Greek chicken gyro recipe is a total winner. With the sealing ring locked tight, the chicken’s gonna get that tender pull you love, falling apart just enough but still holding on juicy. You’re almost there, just a few more minutes on the slow release and dinner’s ready to serve.
What Makes Pressure Cooking Win Every Round
- Speedy cooking time gets your chicken tender and juicy fast without nonstop watching.
- Locks in all those Greek spices and yogurt flavor deep inside every bite.
- Float valve signals when it’s under pressure so you know dinner’s moving along.
- Broth depth helps keep chicken moist, no drying out here.
- Minimal pots to wash means less cleanup after a busy day.
Your Simple Ingredient Checklist
- 1 ½ lbs chicken tenders or chicken breasts cut into strips
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon dried Mediterranean oregano
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
Plus, for that creamy tzatziki sauce, you gotta grab another cup of Greek yogurt, two baby cucumbers grated on the box grater, a tablespoon chopped fresh dill, half a teaspoon ground cumin, half a teaspoon lemon zest, and a tablespoon olive oil. Don’t forget the kosher salt and pepper to taste. Then, to build your gyros real good, get six warm pitas, two cups shredded lettuce, a quarter cup pickled onions, two diced baby cucumbers, one diced beefsteak tomato, and two ounces crumbled feta cheese.
Walking Through Every Single Move
Step one, start with making your marinade. In a bowl, toss together olive oil, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, granulated garlic, onion powder, ground cumin, kosher salt, and freshly ground pepper. Whisk it all up till it’s blended nice and smooth, like a flavor party.
Step two, drop in your chicken strips and toss to coat every piece evenly. Cover the bowl and slide it into the fridge for at least 30 minutes but if you got time, 2 hours is even better to soak up all those Greek vibes.
Step three, when it’s time to cook, preheat your grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Take the chicken out and ditch the marinade. You don’t want that soggy stuff messing with your grill marks.
Step four, grill the chicken like a champ. About 5-7 minutes on each side is the sweet spot, till it's cooked through and hits 165°F inside. You’ll see those tender pull juices ready to burst out.
Step five, rest the chicken for a few minutes, let it chill. Then slice it into bite-sized pieces, perfect for stuffing inside your pitas.
Step six, build your gyros. Start with warm pita, spread a thick layer of tzatziki, pile on chicken, add shredded lettuce, diced cucumbers and tomatoes, pickled onions, then sprinkle the crumbled feta on top. Fold it up and get ready for your first bite.
Quick Tricks That Save Your Time
- If you’re rushed, marinate the chicken while you prep other parts like veggies and sauce. The clock's working for you.
- Use the box grater for cucumbers to get nice fine shreds fast, perfect for tzatziki texture.
- Don’t skip the slow release on the pressure cooker. It keeps chicken tender and juicy instead of drying it out by rushing the steam escape.
When You Finally Get to Eat
You bite down into that gyro and everything just clicks. The tenderness of the chicken is on point, soft but with a little wiggle that says it’s juicy.
The tzatziki’s cool creaminess perfectly cuts the herbs and spices, and all those crunch veggies add a fresh pop that makes each mouthful interesting.
The pita’s soft and warm, wrapping everything up tight but still letting all those flavors burst through. You feel a bit proud making this at home, but it doesn’t feel like work at all.
As you eat, you remember why Greek food is so comforting. It’s simple but fresh and packed with personality. You’re happy, full, and ready to take on the rest of the night.
How to Store This for Later
If you got leftovers, no worries. Pop the chicken and tzatziki in separate airtight containers. The chicken keeps best in the fridge for up to 4 days.
For freezing, lay the chicken strips out flat on a tray to freeze first, then transfer to a freezer bag. They stay good for up to 3 months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge.
Pitas and fresh veggies? Best to keep those separate and fresh, especially pickled onions and feta. Add veggies last minute to keep that crunch in your meal prep gyros.
The FAQ Section You Actually Need
- Can I use chicken thighs instead of breast or tenders? Absolutely, thighs got more fat so they stay extra juicy. Just watch your cooking time a bit. Usually about the same pressure time works fine.
- How do I know when my pressure cooker lid is sealed right? The sealing ring should be snug around the edge. The float valve will pop up when it's pressurized. If the float valve doesn’t rise, check the ring and reposition the lid.
- What’s the best way to do a slow release? Instead of turning the valve to quick release, just let the pressure drop naturally by waiting. This keeps the chicken tender without drying out.
- Can I prep the tzatziki ahead of time? Yeah, it keeps well in the fridge for a couple days. Just give it a quick stir before serving.
- What if I don’t have red wine vinegar? You can substitute with white wine vinegar or lemon juice. Both bring that bright tang that makes the marinade pop.
- Is it okay to reheat the grilled chicken? Totally fine. Use a microwave or warm it up on the stove. Just watch so it doesn’t get tough from overcooking again.
For more quick and delicious pressure cooker recipes, check out our Creamy Garlic Shrimp and Rice Skillet, Classic Broccoli Salad, and Creamy Steak Pasta – Ready in 30 Minutes for more easy and tasty meals that fit your busy life.
Weeknight Greek Chicken Gyros (+ Meal Prep Option!)
Equipment
- 1 Grill or grill pan
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs Chicken tenders or chicken breasts cut into strips
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup Olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dried Mediterranean oregano
- 1 teaspoon Granulated garlic
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder
- ½ teaspoon Ground cumin
- 1 ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon Freshly ground pepper
- 1 cup Greek yogurt for tzatziki
- 2 cups Shredded lettuce
- ¼ cup Pickled onions
- 2 Baby cucumbers grated on a box grater
- 1 tablespoon Chopped fresh dill
- 6 Pitas warmed
- 1 Beefsteak tomato diced
- 2 oz Feta cheese crumbled
- 1 Lemon zest for tzatziki
- ½ teaspoon Ground cumin for tzatziki
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil for tzatziki
- Kosher salt to taste for tzatziki
- Freshly ground pepper to taste for tzatziki
Instructions
Instructions
- Whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, granulated garlic, onion powder, ground cumin, kosher salt, and freshly ground pepper in a bowl to make the marinade.
- Add chicken strips to the marinade and coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Remove chicken from marinade.
- Grill chicken for 5-7 minutes per side until cooked through and reaches 165°F.
- Let chicken rest for a few minutes, then slice into bite-sized pieces.
- To assemble gyros, start with warm pita, add tzatziki, chicken, lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, and feta.
