Greek Chicken Gyros - Layers of flavor in every bite, this traditional Greek street food is easy to make at home and doesn’t require any complicated ingredients. Slather each gyro in homemade tzatziki sauce for an abundance of fresh flavors!
Whether you need a satisfying and healthy lunch, dinner, or snack, Greek Chicken Gyros are the answer. The yogurt-marinated chicken thighs next to fresh cut vegetables and tzatziki sauce are all layered in a pita to create a warm and comforting dish.
Yogurt is plentiful in this easy Greek chicken gyros recipe. Used in the chicken gyro marinade, it infuses tangy flavors into the chicken and will also help tenderize the meat. It’s also crucial in giving tzatziki its signature creamy texture.
This is an easy recipe you can throw together well ahead of time and is a budget-friendly option compared to take out. You can serve this chicken gyro recipe on its own or with plenty of sides like Baked Sweet Potato Wedges and Avocado Salad.
Jump to:
- What are gyros?
- What you’ll need to make chicken gyro wraps with homemade tzatziki
- How to make Greek chicken gyros
- Tips and substitutions
- Can Greek chicken gyros with tzatziki sauce be made ahead of time?
- Storing and freezing tips
- Recipe FAQs
- Serve Chicken Gyros with These Side Dishes
- Other Chicken Recipes to Try
- 📖 Recipe
What are gyros?
Gyros (pronounced “yee-ros”) are a Greek dish made from seasoned and marinated pork or chicken. The meat is cooked on a vertical rotisserie, sliced, and then stuffed into a pita wrap with cucumber, tomato, onions, lettuce, and tzatziki sauce.
The flavors are bold, exciting, and delicious! You’ll find that each bite is juicy and tender from the marinated chicken, yet fresh and light thanks to the vegetables and tzatziki. It’s a similar recipe to chicken souvlaki or shawarma but with subtle differences in the flavors and cooking styles.
What you’ll need to make chicken gyro wraps with homemade tzatziki
The secret to making the best Greek chicken gyro is in the marinade. It’s made with easy-to-find ingredients that infuse rich and creamy flavors right into the chicken thighs. From there, all you need are fresh herbs, seasonings, and vegetables to put the wraps together:
- Chicken thighs
- Greek yogurt
- Olive oil
- Garlic
- Lemon juice
- Red wine vinegar
- Oregano
- Sea salt and pepper
- Pita bread
- Toppings like tomatoes, red onion, lettuce, and feta cheese
- Homemade tzatziki sauce
It isn’t a gyro without the homemade tzatziki! This is all you need to make this fresh cucumber sauce:
- Cucumber
- Greek yogurt
- Olive oil
- Lemon juice
- Fresh dill and garlic
- Salt and pepper
How to make Greek chicken gyros
Step 1: Combine all of the marinade ingredients in a bowl or ziploc bag with the chicken and marinate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
Step 2: Grill the marinated chicken on high heat for a few minutes per side or when the chicken is cooked through. Slice the chicken into strips.
Step 3: Make the tzatziki sauce by combining the grated cucumber and the rest of the sauce ingredients in a bowl. Stir together, then place it in the fridge to chill for at least 15 minutes.
Step 4: Assemble the gyro wraps by spreading tzatziki onto the pita. Next, layer on the sliced chicken, lettuce, and tomatoes. Garnish with feta and anything else you like and enjoy!
Tips and substitutions
- I recommend marinating the chicken for at least 4 hours but overnight will give you the best results. Remember to keep it in the fridge as it marinates!
- Make sure you squeeze out as much liquid from the grated cucumber as possible. This will give you a creamy tzatziki without any excess water.
- If you’re unsure if the chicken is cooked, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature first. Chicken thighs need an internal temperature of at least 170ºF to be considered safe to eat.
- If you don’t have pita bread, wrap the gyros in lavash bread wraps instead.
- For gluten-free, serve the chicken and tzatziki over a Greek salad instead.
- Feel free to make this recipe with chicken breasts instead of thighs. They won’t take as long to cook, but could potentially dry out upon reheating.
- Do you have leftover chicken you need to use up? Make my Greek Shish Kabobs for an appetizer!
Can Greek chicken gyros with tzatziki sauce be made ahead of time?
Every element in this recipe can be made a day or two ahead of time. Perfect for when you need an easy dinner or snack in no time!
- Homemade tzatziki can be made and stored in a sealed container in the fridge for a few days. This actually lets all of the flavors get to know each other for longer, creating an even more flavorful sauce!
- Prepare the chicken as normal. Slice and then store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 or 4 days. Reheat on the grill or in a skillet for a few minutes before assembling the chicken gyro.
- Any vegetables you plan on stuffing into the gyro wrap can be sliced and kept in individual containers in the fridge until you’re ready to put the wraps together.
Storing and freezing tips
To store the leftover chicken, keep it wrapped tightly in plastic or foil wrap or in an airtight container in the fridge. It should stay fresh for around 3 or 4 days.
Leftover tzatziki is perfect to use in more vegetable wraps or as a dipping sauce. Keep it sealed in a container in the fridge for about 4 days.
The chicken can also be stored in the freezer. Wrap it well or keep it in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 4 months. Just leave it to thaw completely in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Recipe FAQs
Traditionally, gyros are made with pork, chicken, or lamb, but you can use beef or even a plant-based protein for a vegetarian version.
It's best to marinate the meat for at least 4 hours, but marinating overnight will yield even better flavor.
Yes, tzatziki sauce can be made a day ahead. Just keep it refrigerated until you're ready to use it.
Pita bread and lavash are common choices. You can also use flatbreads or even tortillas for a different twist.
If you don’t have Greek yogurt, you can use sour cream, though it will change the flavor slightly. You can also try using a dairy-free yogurt alternative.
Traditional toppings include lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and feta cheese. You can also add olives, pickles, or hot peppers for extra flavor.
Yes, you can use a stovetop grill pan or bake the chicken in the oven.
Serve Chicken Gyros with These Side Dishes
Other Chicken Recipes to Try
- 25-minute Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe ( Video)
- Easy Teriyaki Chicken Wings Recipe
- One-Pot Meal Chicken Fricassee Recipe
- Caramelized Rosemary Chicken
When YOU make this lemon garlic chicken thigh gyros recipe please tag us @munchkintimeblog on Instagram, we would LOVE to see your creation!
If you tried this easy grilled chicken recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a * star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below.
📖 Recipe
Greek Chicken Gyros recipe
Ingredients
Chicken Gyro Marinade
TZATZIKI Sauce
- 1 cucumber peeled, grated and squeezed (makes about ½ cup)
- 1 ¼ cup greek yogurt whole fat
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons dill chopped
- ½ tablespoon garlic finely chopped or minced
- salt and pepper to taste
Gyro
- 4 pita bread or lavash bread wraps
- 2 tomatoes cubed
- 1 small red onion sliced
- 1 head lettuce sliced
- 6 oz feta cheese
Instructions
- To make Chicken Gyro Marinade, combine all marinade ingredients into a bowl or zip bag, give a good mix and marinate for 4 hours, best overnight.
- After grill chicken over high heat for about 3-4 minutes per side or until chicken is cooked thru. Slice into strips and assemble into a gyro sandwich or wrap.
- To make TZATZIKI Sauce, cut cucumber in half and using a spoon remove the seeds. Grade cucumber into a paper towel and squeeze the juice out. Now add squeezed cucumber and the rest of the ingredients into a bowl and give it a good stir. Cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes for flavors to combine together.
- Warm lavash bread wraps or pita bread, spread TZATZIKI Sauce and add warm sliced chicken, follow by lettuce and tomatoes. Garnish with feta cheese, wrap or fold and enjoy!
Notes
- While chicken thighs are recommended for their juiciness, you can also use chicken breasts if preferred. Just be mindful that breasts may dry out more easily, so they should be cooked carefully.
- To ensure the chicken is properly cooked, use a meat thermometer to check its internal temperature. Chicken thighs should reach an internal temperature of at least 170ºF to be considered safe for consumption.
- If you don’t have pita bread, lavash wraps make a great substitute.
- For a gluten-free option, serve the chicken and dairy free tzatziki sauce over a fresh Greek salad.
- Gyros are great for sharing! Serve them with sides like French Fries in Air Fryer
or Crispy Potato Wedges for a complete meal.
Nutrition
Quote of the Day
Happy Cooking!
Becky
. ABSOLUTLY delicious! Preparation took me much longer than the recipe says. I think next time I will try making it with store-bought TZATZIKI sauce. I’m sure it won’t be quite as good, but hopefully it will still work.
Munchkin Time
I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed it, Becky! Getting creative in the kitchen is such a fun experience. Using store-bought tzatziki sounds like a fantastic idea for next time, sometimes it’s all about finding what works for you.
Pat
This was a great, easy recipe, delicious and hearty, thanks so much!
Munchkin Time
You are welcome Pat! I am so happy you liked it!
Anne
These were delicious. Easy to make. I marinated the chicken early in the morning and made the tzatziki sauce at the same time. By dinner time, perfection. No time in the grill and quick easy assembly! 10 out 10 highly recommend
Munchkin Time
Thank you so much Anne! I am so happy you liked it, thank you for rating this chicken gyro recipe!
Megann Moceri
I made this once before a while back and LOVED IT! I think we followed the rules and grilled on a grill. I could probably make this on the stove too right? Any tips?
Munchkin Time
Thank you, Megann! I am sure you can make it on the stove, I would use preheated non stick skillet or cast iron with a little oil and cook on both sides until chicken is cooked thru about 5-6 minutes on each side. Hope this helps.
Pamela
Hi. Can I use sour cream instead of the Greek yogurt?
Munchkin Time
Hi Pamela, I don't see why not, sounds delicious!
Lin
This is a great recipe. I didn't have pita either time I made it, but we used fresh flour tortillas and they were still great. I could eat this every week. Thanks for the recipe.
Munchkin Time
Thank you so much Lin, I am so happy you like this Chicken Gyro Recipe!!!
Julie
If you haven’t tried this recipe please do it!! I ended up marinating the chicken for 2 days and it was literally soooo juicy and flavorful!!!
Munchkin Time
Thank you, Julie!