Craving the incredible flavor of authentic Greek Chicken Gyros from your favorite street vendor? This recipe brings that classic taste right to your kitchen. We’ve crafted the perfect marinade for incredibly juicy, flavor-packed chicken, paired it with a creamy homemade tzatziki sauce, and wrapped it all in warm, soft pita bread. Forget takeout—this is how you create a truly memorable meal at home, and it’s surprisingly simple to do.
What Makes These Greek Chicken Gyros So Good?
The secret to the best Greek Chicken Gyros lies in three key elements: the marinade, the sauce, and the quality of the ingredients. Our marinade uses a classic combination of lemon, garlic, and oregano to tenderize the chicken and infuse it with signature Greek flavor. The tzatziki is made with fresh, grated cucumber for the best texture and taste. When combined, it’s a perfect balance of savory, tangy, and fresh.
Key Ingredients for Authentic Gyros
At its heart, this recipe uses simple, fresh ingredients to create its incredible flavor. Here’s what you’ll need to gather.
For the Chicken Marinade
- Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are best for juicy, flavorful results. You can also use chicken breasts if you prefer.
- Olive Oil: Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil for the base of the marinade.
- Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice is essential for the bright, tangy flavor.
- Garlic: Fresh minced garlic provides a pungent, aromatic depth.
- Red Wine Vinegar: Adds a touch of sharpness to balance the flavors.
- Greek Yogurt: This helps tenderize the chicken, making it incredibly moist.
- Dried Oregano: A cornerstone of Greek cooking.
- Salt & Black Pepper: To taste.
For the Homemade Tzatziki Sauce
- Greek Yogurt: Use full-fat, plain Greek yogurt for the creamiest sauce.
- Cucumber: An English cucumber is ideal as it has fewer seeds.
- Garlic: Freshly minced for the best flavor.
- Lemon Juice: Adds a necessary tang.
- Fresh Dill: Finely chopped fresh dill is a must.
- Olive Oil: A drizzle to enrich the sauce.
For Assembling the Gyros
- Pita Bread: Look for soft, fluffy “pocketless” pita bread.
- Vegetables: Sliced tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, and crisp lettuce are classic choices.
- Feta Cheese: Crumbled feta adds a salty, briny finish.
- Kalamata Olives: Optional, but highly recommended for an extra burst of flavor.
How to Make Greek Chicken Gyros: A Step-by-Step Guide
This process is broken down into simple steps to make it easy for any home cook. Follow along to create the perfect gyros every time.
Step 1: Prepare the Marinade
In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, red wine vinegar, Greek yogurt, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. This mixture will serve as the flavor base for your chicken.
Step 2: Marinate the Chicken
Cut the chicken thighs into thin, bite-sized strips. Place the chicken in the bowl with the marinade and toss to coat every piece thoroughly. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, but for the best results, let it marinate for 2-4 hours. This allows the flavors to penetrate deeply into the meat.
Step 3: Make the Tzatziki Sauce
While the chicken is marinating, prepare the tzatziki. Grate the cucumber and use your hands or a cheesecloth to squeeze out as much excess water as possible—this is crucial for a thick, creamy sauce. In a separate bowl, combine the strained cucumber, Greek yogurt, minced garlic, lemon juice, and fresh dill. Stir until well combined, then drizzle with olive oil. Refrigerate until you’re ready to serve.
Step 4: Cook the Chicken
You can cook the chicken on the grill or in a skillet. For a skillet, heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer (work in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding). Cook for 4-6 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. If grilling, cook on a preheated grill for 3-5 minutes per side. For another fantastic chicken dinner idea, check out this Cowboy Butter Chicken recipe.
Step 5: Assemble Your Gyros
Warm the pita bread in a dry skillet, the oven, or a microwave for a few seconds until soft and pliable. Lay a pita flat and spread a generous amount of tzatziki sauce down the middle. Top with the cooked chicken, sliced tomatoes, red onion, lettuce, and a sprinkle of feta cheese and olives. Fold the bottom of the pita up and then fold the sides in to create the classic gyro wrap.
Tips for the Perfect Homemade Greek Chicken Gyros
A few expert tips can take your homemade gyros from great to unforgettable. Paying attention to these small details makes a big difference.
Don’t Skip the Marinating Time
The marinade is what makes the chicken tender and flavorful. A minimum of 30 minutes is good, but several hours is even better. This is the key to achieving that authentic taste you’re looking for.
Grate, Don’t Chop, the Cucumber
For the best tzatziki sauce, always grate your cucumber. This allows you to squeeze out the excess water effectively, preventing a runny sauce and ensuring a creamy, rich texture.
How to Warm Pita Bread
Warm pita is essential for a good gyro. The easiest way is to heat a dry non-stick skillet over medium heat and warm the pita for about 20-30 seconds per side until it’s soft and slightly puffed.
What to Serve with Chicken Gyros
While these Greek Chicken Gyros are a complete meal on their own, they also pair wonderfully with a few classic sides. A simple Greek salad with a lemon-herb vinaigrette is a perfect match. For something heartier, try serving them with lemon-herb roasted potatoes or a side of seasoned rice. If you love potatoes, you have to try these Garlic Parmesan Roasted Potatoes.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Store leftover cooked chicken and tzatziki sauce in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat the chicken, simply warm it in a skillet over medium heat until heated through. It’s best to assemble the gyros fresh right before serving to prevent the pita from getting soggy. For another great make-ahead meal, this French Onion Beef Casserole is always a winner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Greek Chicken Gyros
Absolutely. You can marinate the chicken for up to 24 hours in the refrigerator. The tzatziki sauce can also be made a day in advance; in fact, its flavor often improves overnight. Simply cook the chicken and assemble the gyros when you’re ready to eat.
Yes, you can use chicken breast. However, chicken thighs are recommended as they are naturally juicier and less prone to drying out during cooking, which yields a more authentic result.
The key is to remove as much water as possible from the cucumber. After grating it, place it in a cheesecloth or a clean kitchen towel and squeeze firmly until no more liquid comes out. This will ensure your sauce is thick and creamy.
Greek gyros are often served as a complete meal, but they pair wonderfully with a side of Greek salad, lemon potatoes, or seasoned fries.
Look for soft, fluffy, pocketless Greek-style pita bread. It’s thicker and more pliable than the pocket pitas often found in supermarkets, making it ideal for wrapping around the fillings without tearing.
More Delicious Recipes You’ll Love
If you enjoyed this recipe, you’re sure to love some of our other dinner favorites. From comforting pasta dishes to quick weeknight meals, there’s always something new to try.
Your New Favorite Dinner
This Greek Chicken Gyros recipe is more than just a meal; it’s an experience. It’s perfect for a weeknight dinner, a weekend gathering, or any time you want to enjoy the fresh, vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean. We hope you love making it as much as we do. If you try it, please leave a comment below or share a picture on Pinterest!
Greek Chicken Gyros Recipe
Greek Chicken Gyros (The BEST Authentic Recipe)
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together all ingredients for the chicken marinade: olive oil, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Add the chicken strips to the marinade and toss until fully coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours.
- While the chicken marinates, make the tzatziki sauce. Grate the cucumber and squeeze out all excess water. In a small bowl, combine the grated cucumber, Greek yogurt, minced garlic, lemon juice, and fresh dill. Stir to combine and refrigerate until ready to use.
- Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken in a single layer (cook in batches if needed). Cook for 4-6 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through.
- Warm the pita bread. Assemble the gyros by spreading a layer of tzatziki sauce on each pita, followed by the cooked chicken, sliced tomato, and red onion. Top with crumbled feta cheese.
Notes
Tip 2: Squeezing the water from the grated cucumber is the most important step for thick, creamy tzatziki.
Tip 3: Store leftover components separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
