why make this recipe

Chicken gyros are a delicious, fresh, and easy meal that everyone can enjoy. This recipe is packed with flavors thanks to the marinated chicken and refreshing tzatziki sauce. It’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a fun gathering with friends. Plus, you can customize your gyros with your favorite toppings, making them versatile and fun to make!

how to make chicken gyros

Ingredients:

2 lb Boneless chicken thighs (- Trim excess fat)
1 cup Greek yogurt (- Full-fat preferred)
3 tbsp Olive oil (—)
1 Lemon (- Juiced)
4 cloves Garlic (- Minced)
2 tsp Dried oregano (—)
1 tsp Paprika (—)
1 tsp Cumin (—)
0.5 tsp Salt (—)
0.5 tsp Black pepper (—)
1 cup Greek yogurt (- Full-fat)
0.5 Cucumber (- Grated & squeezed dry)
2 cloves Garlic (- Minced)
1 tbsp Lemon juice (- Fresh)
1 tbsp Fresh dill (- Chopped)
— Salt & pepper (- To taste)
6–8 Pita bread (- Warmed)
2 Tomatoes (- Sliced)
0.5 Red onion (- Thinly sliced)
1 cup Lettuce (- Shredded)
0.5 cup Feta cheese (- Crumbled)

Directions:

In a large bowl, mix Greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, paprika, cumin, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
Slice chicken thighs into strips and coat them completely in the yogurt marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
Grate cucumber and squeeze out as much liquid as possible.
In another bowl, mix Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, dill, salt, and pepper. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat for at least 3 minutes until very hot.
Add the marinated chicken in a single layer. Cook without moving for 4–5 minutes until charred. Flip and cook another 4–5 minutes until fully cooked (165°F).
Warm pita bread briefly in the microwave or skillet.
Spread tzatziki down the center of each pita. Top with chicken, tomatoes, red onion, lettuce, and feta. Fold and serve immediately.

how to serve chicken gyros

Serve chicken gyros warm on a plate or in a large basket. You can offer extra toppings like hot sauce or more tzatziki on the side for those who like a little kick. Enjoy with friends or family for a delicious meal.

how to store chicken gyros

To store leftover chicken gyros, keep each component separate if possible. Store cooked chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keep tzatziki sauce in another container. Pita bread can be stored in a zip-top bag. Reheat the chicken before serving with fresh toppings.

tips to make chicken gyros

For maximum flavor, marinate the chicken overnight.
Experiment with different spices in the marinade to suit your taste.
Ensure your skillet is hot enough to give the chicken a nice char.
Use fresh ingredients for the best taste in your tzatziki sauce.

variation (if any)

You can easily change up this recipe by using lamb or beef instead of chicken. Also, you can add more veggies like bell peppers or different herbs in the tzatziki sauce to create your own twist on the classic gyros.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?
Yes, you can use chicken breast, but keep in mind that it can dry out more easily. Marinating helps keep it moist.

Is tzatziki sauce necessary?
While tzatziki adds great flavor and creaminess, you can skip it or use a store-bought version if you’re short on time.

Can I freeze the chicken gyros?
Yes, you can freeze the marinated chicken before cooking. Just make sure to defrost it in the fridge before cooking. The assembled gyros are best eaten fresh.

Chicken Gyros

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Author: angela
Total Time: 135 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

Delicious and flavorful chicken gyros served with fresh tzatziki sauce and customizable toppings.

Ingredients

Scale

2 lb Boneless chicken thighs, trimmed
1 cup Greek yogurt, full-fat preferred
3 tbsp Olive oil
1 Lemon, juiced
4 cloves Garlic, minced
2 tsp Dried oregano
1 tsp Paprika
1 tsp Cumin
0.5 tsp Salt
0.5 tsp Black pepper
1 cup Greek yogurt, full-fat
0.5 Cucumber, grated & squeezed dry
2 cloves Garlic, minced
1 tbsp Lemon juice, fresh
1 tbsp Fresh dill, chopped
Salt & pepper, to taste
6–8 Pita bread, warmed
2 Tomatoes, sliced
0.5 Red onion, thinly sliced
1 cup Lettuce, shredded
0.5 cup Feta cheese, crumbled

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Instructions

In a large bowl, mix Greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, paprika, cumin, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
Slice chicken thighs into strips and coat them completely in the yogurt marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
Grate cucumber and squeeze out as much liquid as possible.
In another bowl, mix Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, dill, salt, and pepper. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat for at least 3 minutes until very hot.
Add the marinated chicken in a single layer. Cook without moving for 4–5 minutes until charred. Flip and cook another 4–5 minutes until fully cooked (165°F).
Warm pita bread briefly in the microwave or skillet.
Spread tzatziki down the center of each pita. Top with chicken, tomatoes, red onion, lettuce, and feta. Fold and serve immediately.

Notes

For maximum flavor, marinate the chicken overnight and use fresh ingredients for the best taste.

Prep Time: 120 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Grilling
Cuisine: Greek

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 450
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 600mg
Fat: 20g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 37g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 28g
Cholesterol: 80mg