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July 12, 2018

Chicken Gyros with Watermelon Rind Tzatziki Recipe

Gluten Free Main Dishes Poultry Bake Sheet Pan
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Hi friends, and happy National Watermelon Month! That’s right, July is National Watermelon Month, and I’m so excited to continue my partnership with The Watermelon Board this year to bring you more fun recipes and tips for using one of my favorite summer fruits – watermelon! First up: these flavorful and summery Chicken Gyros with Watermelon Rind Tzatziki.

Chicken Gyros with Watermelon Rind Tzatziki recipe

Did you know that 100% of a watermelon is edible, including the rind? Using watermelon rind in recipes is not only tasty, but also a great way to reduce food waste. Give it a try if you haven’t already! In addition to these delicious gyros featuring watermelon rind, you may also want to try my Watermelon Rind Coleslaw – it’s perfect for summery BBQs, either as a standalone side or as a sandwich or taco topper!

Chicken Gyros with Watermelon Rind Tzatziki recipe

Here’s what you’re working with for this fast and easy lunch or dinner:

Chicken Gyros with Watermelon Rind Tzatziki ingredients

Tzatziki is a yogurt sauce that traditionally uses grated cucumber and dill, but I swapped out the cucumber for grated watermelon rind. Watermelon rind actually has a similar texture to cucumbers (just a tiny bit firmer), and since both cucumbers and watermelon rind have a mild, fresh flavor, the swap works perfectly.

Watermelon Rind Tzatziki recipe

Since you’re working with the whole watermelon for this recipe, be sure to wash it well first, and then separate the rind (white and green) from the flesh. Save the red “flesh” for snacking on later (or immediately…!), and grate up the rind to go in the tzatziki with yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, and dill.

how to make Watermelon Rind Tzatziki recipe

Another key component of these delicious gyros is the juicy marinated chicken. The marinade is so simple, but it adds an insane amount of flavor! The combination of yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, oregano, and garlic makes the chicken super moist and savory. If you’re in a pinch, you can also sub in leftover rotisserie chicken – just shred the chicken and toss it in a little lemon juice, grated garlic, and dried oregano while reheating.

how to make Chicken Gyros with Watermelon Rind Tzatziki recipe

Once the tzatziki sauce is stirred up and the chicken is marinated and broiled, it’s time to build the wraps! I piled crunchy romaine lettuce and red onion, juicy tomatoes, and fresh parsley on whole wheat pita bread, but feel free to use whatever fresh veggies and herbs you have on hand.

Ready to get your gyro on?! Here’s the full recipe:

Chicken Gyros with Watermelon Rind Tzatziki

Chicken Gyros with Watermelon Rind Tzatziki
January 3, 2019

This flavorful and summery recipe makes for an easy lunch or dinner!

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Ingredients:

For the chicken

  • 1 1/2 lb chicken breast, cut into 1/2-inch thick strips
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced, grated, or crushed
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • juice of 1 lemon
  • 3 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
  • salt and pepper, to taste

For the tzatziki

  • 1/2 cup grated watermelon rind
  • 3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 clove garlic, minced, grated, or crushed
  • juice of 1 lemon
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh dill
  • salt and pepper, to taste

For serving

  • whole wheat pita bread or flatbread
  • romaine lettuce
  • sliced tomatoes
  • sliced red onion
  • fresh parsley

Instructions:

  1. Place the chicken and all marinade ingredients in a large bowl. Toss to combine and coat the chicken pieces evenly. Let sit in fridge for at least 30 minutes, up to 2 hours. 
  2. Meanwhile, make the tzatziki: Place the grated watermelon rind in a bowl lined with a paper towel. Squeeze as much liquid as you can out of the rind, then discard the liquid. Place the rind in a bowl with the remaining tzatziki ingredients and stir to combine. 
  3. Heat the broiler to high and remove chicken from the fridge. Spread the chicken on a greased baking sheet and pat with paper towels to remove much of the liquid from the marinade. Broil for 8-10 minutes, until the chicken is browned and cooked through. 
  4. Assemble gyros by filling the pita or flatbread with lettuce, tomatoes, red onion, parsley, and chicken, then spooning the tzatziki over the top. Enjoy!

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

Feeling inspired to try your hand at cooking with the whole watermelon, too? The Watermelon Board actually has a recipe contest going on right now; you can enter your original recipes using the whole watermelon for the chance to win $500! Plus, your recipe will be professional photographed and featured on Watermelon.org. Cool, huh? For more details and to enter, check out the Use the Whole Watermelon Recipe Contest page. You have until August 10 to enter! And for more tips on cooking with and using the whole watermelon, check out their Use the Whole Watermelon tips page.

Thank you to The Watermelon Board for sponsoring this post! Want more watermelon recipe inspiration? Here are my other recipes created in partnership with the Watermelon Board:

  • Pickled Watermelon Rind (Two Ways)
  • Roasted Salmon with Watermelon Salsa
  • Watermelon Rind Gazpacho
  • Watermelon Chicken with Balsamic Glaze
  • Fall Harvest Salad with Watermelon
  • Watermelon Rind Curry
  • Watermelon Rind Coleslaw
  • Watermelon Rosemary Popsicles
- anne
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11 comments
  • Rachel
    July 12, 2018 · 9:41AM:
    Wow, these look amazing! Maybe I'll give them a try this weekend. Now that I've seen them, I'm craving a chicken gyro!
    Reply
    • Anne
      July 12, 2018 · 2:02PM:
      I hope you love them too!
      Reply
    • Anne
      July 12, 2018 · 2:02PM:
      I hope you love them too!
      Reply
  • Ann
    July 12, 2018 · 12:41PM:
    YUMMY!!!! This sounds amazing! I love traditional tzatziki so I cannot wait to try this! Thanks for sharing! You are giving me sooo many great, healthy meal ideas!
    Reply
    • Anne
      July 12, 2018 · 2:02PM:
      Yay! Let me know how you like it!
      Reply
  • Roadrunner July 12, 2018 · 3:35PM:
    I love gyros, and those look terrific! Thanks!
    Reply
  • Kori
    July 13, 2018 · 10:16AM:
    Oddly, I've never been a fan of any type of melon my whole life. However, I'm one to always keep trying, and I do love them in salads, smoothies, and recipes; just not out-of-hand! I love how this makes beautiful use of the rind. Such a unique and fun recipe! I thought of you the other day while at Trader Joe's because I found they have a watermelon, cucumber, mint yogurt. I have it to try today! If you can find it, then I recommend you give it a try too since you love watermelon so much. :) Thank you for the recipe!
    Reply
    • Anne
      July 16, 2018 · 10:04AM:
      That sounds delicious! :) I'll look for it! Great flavor combo.
      Reply
  • Sarah July 13, 2018 · 1:07PM:
    Would you recommend using organic in order to use the rind?
    Reply
    • Anne
      July 16, 2018 · 10:03AM:
      If possible, yes! Either way, scrub it well too.
      Reply
  • Elli July 21, 2020 · 3:56AM:
    Just made it the other night... it was yummy and the rind was an unusual adding to the tzatziki.. I'll def make them again, it's on my fave list now... :-)
    Reply
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anne mauney fannetastic food
Hi, I’m Anne! I'm a Washington D.C. based Registered Dietitian, mother, runner, and lover of travel, adventure, and the great outdoors. I've been blogging since 2009, sharing a mix of lifestyle content, recipes, and fitness tips. Come for the recipes – stay for the fun!
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I’m Anne, a Registered Dietitian and mother. I've been blogging since 2009 and love showing others that eating nutritious foods and staying active can actually be fun rather than overwhelming!

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