Greek Chicken Gyro Pasta (Printable Version)

Grilled chicken, orzo pasta, fresh vegetables, and creamy feta-yogurt drizzle unite in a vibrant bowl.

# What You Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.1 lb)
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice
05 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
06 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
07 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Pasta

10 - 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta
11 - 1 teaspoon salt (for boiling water)

→ Vegetables

12 - 1 cup cucumber, diced
13 - 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
14 - 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced
15 - 1/4 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced (optional)

→ Feta-Yogurt Drizzle

16 - 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
17 - 1/3 cup feta cheese, crumbled
18 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice
19 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
20 - 1 small clove garlic, minced
21 - 1 tablespoon fresh dill or parsley, chopped
22 - Pinch of salt and black pepper

→ Garnish

23 - Fresh dill or parsley, chopped
24 - Lemon wedges (optional)

# Step-by-Step Directions:

01 - Combine olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, oregano, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Add chicken breasts and toss to coat. Marinate for at least 15 minutes or up to 2 hours refrigerated.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add orzo and cook until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
03 - Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Grill chicken for 5 to 7 minutes per side until cooked through and juices run clear. Rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
04 - In a small bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, crumbled feta, lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, chopped herbs, salt, and pepper until smooth.
05 - Divide cooked orzo among four bowls. Top with sliced chicken, diced cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and olives if using. Drizzle generously with the feta-yogurt sauce.
06 - Sprinkle with extra fresh herbs and add lemon wedges as desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 40 minutes, which means you can have restaurant-quality dinner on a Tuesday without the fuss.
  • The feta-yogurt drizzle tastes indulgent but is actually light and refreshing, making you feel like you're treating yourself without the guilt.
  • Everything can be prepped ahead—you're essentially just assembling bowls at dinnertime, which is perfect when life gets chaotic.
02 -
  • Don't skip pounding the chicken to even thickness or you'll end up with one side that's cooked through while the other is still pale; consistency is everything here.
  • The feta-yogurt drizzle can be made up to a day ahead and stored in the fridge, which is secretly one of the best parts of this recipe for meal planning.
  • If your chicken is thicker than about an inch, slice it horizontally before marinating to speed up the cooking time and ensure it's cooked through without drying out.
03 -
  • If you're making this ahead, keep the drizzle separate and don't dress the bowls until you're ready to eat, otherwise everything gets soggy and sad.
  • Warm orzo against cool vegetables against creamy sauce is the whole point—temperature contrast makes it taste more interesting than if everything was the same temperature.
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