National Nutrition Month // Chicken Gyros

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics designates March as National Nutrition Month. It’s a great time to focus on the basics of a healthy diet and set a few goals to be more healthy. This year, the theme of National Nutrition Month is “Savor the Flavor of Eating Right”. Eating healthy doesn’t have to be boring and it most certainly doesn’t have to be flavorless!

In honor of National Nutrition Month, I decided to take a dish that I often order at restaurants and find a healthier version I can make myself at home. You can’t go wrong with this Chicken Gyro recipe. It’s packed with good-for-you foods and flavor that will make your mouth water. The best part is that it’s really easy to make.

You’ll need the following ingredients:

4 chicken breasts
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 Tbsp. Mediterranean seasoning
1 red pepper, thinly sliced
1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
4 pitas
1/2 english cucumber, diced
2 cups plain Greek yogurt
4 tsp. minced garlic
2 Tbsp. dried dill
1 1/2 Tbsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice
Salt and pepper to taste

The recipe calls for Mediterranean seasoning. It’s easy enough to find at the grocery store, but it’s also really easy to make at home.

Mix the following spices together, and you’re all set.

Medditerranean Seasoing

1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. oregano
1/2 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. thyme
1 tsp. coriander

For more homemade seasonings and spices, click here.

Start by making the tzatziki sauce. Place the cucumber, yogurt, garlic, dill, lemon juice, salt and pepper in a blender or food processor and blend it all together.

You might notice that the sauce is more runny than what you may have had at a restaurant. If that bothers you, be sure to drain as much water from the cucumber as you can before you place it in the blender. Place the sauce in the refrigerator to chill and move on to cooking your chicken.

Cut your chicken into bite-sized pieces or strips. Heat some oil in a large skillet. Add the chicken and cook 3-5 minutes. Add Mediterranean seasoning and mix well. Continue cooking until chicken is cooked through. Set the chicken aside to let it cool just a bit.

Now you are ready to assemble your gyro! Lay your pita on a clean surface and add the chicken, onion, pepper, and any other optional ingredients you would like.