New Mexican Style Gyros

Ingredients

While the original Greek gyros are typically made with lamb or beef, our New Mexican adaptation features tender and juicy grilled chicken as the protein of choice. We have also incorporated traditional New Mexican ingredients such as green chiles and spices to infuse the dish with a distinct Southwestern flair. We alse have the original recipe for Gyros, so you can check it out.

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound / 450g) 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound / 450g)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (30ml) 2 tablespoons olive oil (30ml)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 4 large flour tortillas 4 large flour tortillas
• 1 cup shredded lettuce (100g) 1 cup shredded lettuce (100g)
• 1 cup diced tomatoes (150g) 1 cup diced tomatoes (150g)
• 1/2 cup diced red onion (75g) 1/2 cup diced red onion (75g)
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (10g) 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (10g)
• 1/4 cup sliced pickled jalapenos (30g) 1/4 cup sliced pickled jalapenos (30g)
• 1/4 cup crumbled queso fresco (30g) 1/4 cup crumbled queso fresco (30g)
• Lime wedges, for serving Lime wedges, for serving

Nutrition

• Calories: 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat: 12g (Saturated Fat: 3g)
• Carbohydrates: 25g (Sugar: 4g)
• Protein: 35g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, minced garlic, cumin, chili powder, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper to make a marinade.
2. 2.
   Place the chicken breasts in a shallow dish and pour the marinade over them, ensuring they are well coated. Let the chicken marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or overnight for maximum flavor.
3. 3.
   Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade and discard any excess marinade.
4. 4.
   Grill the chicken breasts for 6-8 minutes per side, or until cooked through and nicely charred. Remove from the grill and let them rest for a few minutes before slicing.
5. 5.
   Warm the flour tortillas on the grill or stovetop until soft and pliable.
6. 6.
   To assemble the gyros, place a few slices of grilled chicken in the center of each tortilla. Top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, diced red onion, chopped cilantro, pickled jalapenos, and crumbled queso fresco.
7. 7.
   Squeeze fresh lime juice over the filling and fold the tortilla tightly to enclose the ingredients.
8. 8.
   Serve the New Mexican Style Gyros immediately with extra lime wedges on the side.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Chicken breasts — For extra tenderness, you can pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness before marinating.
• Green chiles — If you prefer a milder flavor, remove the seeds and membranes from the green chiles before adding them to the marinade.
• Queso fresco — If you can't find queso fresco, you can substitute it with crumbled feta cheese or shredded Monterey Jack cheese.
• Pickled jalapenos — Adjust the amount of pickled jalapenos according to your desired level of spiciness.
• Lime wedges — Squeezing fresh lime juice over the gyros adds a refreshing citrusy flavor, so don't skip this step.

Tips & Tricks

• For a smoky flavor, you can grill the tortillas for a few seconds on each side before assembling the gyros.
• If you prefer a vegetarian version, you can substitute the chicken with grilled portobello mushrooms or tofu.
• Add a dollop of sour cream or guacamole to the gyros for extra creaminess.
• Serve the gyros with a side of salsa or hot sauce for those who enjoy an extra kick of heat.
• If you're short on time, you can use store-bought rotisserie chicken instead of grilling your own.

Serving advice

Serve the New Mexican Style Gyros with a side of Mexican rice and refried beans for a complete and satisfying meal. Garnish with additional cilantro and lime wedges for a fresh and vibrant touch.

Presentation advice

To make the gyros visually appealing, arrange the sliced grilled chicken and colorful toppings neatly on the tortillas. Roll them tightly and secure with toothpicks for easy handling. Serve on a platter or individual plates, allowing the vibrant colors to shine through.