This Chicken Gyros Recipe starts with warm pita bread piled high with grilled chicken, fresh veggies, and the best tzatziki sauce I’ve ever tasted.
author’s note
Greek-Style Chicken Gyros for Busy Nights!
I’ve always loved Greek food, and this combo of grilled chicken, crisp veggies, creamy tzatziki, and warm pita just hits the spot. It’s flavorful without feeling heavy, and each part comes together so easily.
The marinade is one of my favorite parts. It’s simple but packed with flavor from lemon juice, olive oil, yogurt, oregano, and garlic. As soon as it hits the chicken, the smell alone is enough to make you hungry.
What I love most is how easy these are to prep ahead. I’ll marinate the chicken earlier in the day, and by dinnertime, everything’s ready to go. I set out all the fixings and let everyone build their own gyro with what they like. It’s always a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients In Chicken Gyros Recipe
- Chicken breasts: Swap with chicken thighs for a juicier bite.
- Lemon juice: Fresh is best, but bottled works if needed.
- Greek yogurt: Use full-fat for best results or swap with 2%.
- Dried oregano: Adds classic Greek flavor. Italian seasoning works in a pinch.
- Olive oil: Helps lock in moisture and carries flavor. Any mild oil can work as a backup.
- Red wine vinegar: Adds a tangy punch. Sub with white wine vinegar or lemon juice.
- Honey: Balances the acidity with a touch of sweetness. Maple syrup also works.
- Garlic: Adds bold, savory flavor. Garlic powder or pre-minced garlic works too.
- Tzatziki sauce: Homemade has the best flavor, but store-bought works in a pinch.
- Pita: Naan or flatbread can work if you can’t find pita. Grill it just before serving.
How to Make This Chicken Gyros Recipe
One of my favorite things about this recipe is how you can prep half in the morning, making dinner quick and easy to assemble later.
- Marinate Chicken: Mix all marinade ingredients and coat chicken. Let it sit in the fridge.
- Make Tzatziki Sauce: Use similar ingredients to the marinade. Prep and refrigerate.
- Grill the Chicken: Cook the marinated chicken on a grill.
- Prepare Veggies: Mix tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion for a fresh salad.
- Assemble Gyros: Warm the pita, then add veggies, sliced grilled chicken, and tzatziki sauce.
Quick Tip
How do you pronounce the word “gyro”? Originating from Greek, most dictionaries concur that it is pronounced as “YEAR-O.
Featured Comment
“I made these for dinner last night and they were so delish!!! That sauce is to die for, I was dipping everything in it!”
– Jessica
Tips For Success
- Marinate in a Zip-Top Bag: Use a gallon-sized bag for easy cleanup and even coating.
- Even Out the Chicken: Slice or pound chicken to even thickness so it cooks evenly and soaks up more flavor.
- Rest the Chicken: Cover grilled chicken with foil for a few minutes to keep it juicy.
- Grill the Pita: Toast pita on the grill for 30 seconds per side to warm it up and keep it from tearing.
- Serve Assembly-Style: Set out grilled chicken, pita, veggies, sauce, and lemon wedges so everyone can build their own gyro.
More Easy Chicken Recipes:
Chicken Gyros Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1/4 of 1 large English cucumber 1/2 cup measured after grating
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt full-fat
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1-1/2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
- 1 large lemon zested and juiced
- 1-1/2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 to 6 pitas
- 1/2 of a large red onion thinly sliced
- 2 cups diced English cucumber or Persian cucumber
- 2 cups diced cherry tomatoes
- Fresh parsley
Instructions
- Halve large chicken breasts, cover with plastic wrap (to avoid splatter), and pound to even thickness using a meat mallet or frying pan—no need to flatten, just even it out. Pat dry with a paper towel. Place in a large zipper-top bag. In a bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons lemon juice, Greek yogurt, dried oregano, olive oil, red wine vinegar, honey, and minced garlic. Season with salt and pepper. Once combined, pour over the prepared chicken. Turn to coat and massage into the breasts; refrigerate for 2–3 hours and up to 8 hours.
- While chicken marinates, prepare the tzatziki sauce so it can have a chance to chill before serving. Grate a cucumber with the large holes of a grater. Line a small bowl with a few paper towels (or clean kitchen towel) and place the grated cucumber on top. Squeeze out as much moisture as you can from the cucumber (to keep the sauce from being watery). Once drained, add to a medium bowl. Add the Greek yogurt, minced garlic, red wine vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste. Cover the bowl and place in the fridge until ready to serve.
- Preheat grill to medium heat (400°F). Remove chicken from the marinade and discard any remaining marinade. Generously oil the preheated grill (I drench a rolled-up paper towel in vegetable oil and, holding it with tongs, rub it over the grill grates).
- Add the chicken to the grill. Cook chicken for 4–5 minutes per side or until it registers 160°F (carryover heat will take it to the safe temperature of 165°F). Remove grilled chicken to a plate and cover with foil. Once everything is removed, give the grates a quick clean with the brush. Now add the pita bread. Grill pita bread for 15–30 seconds per side or until toasted and warmed through.
- Assembly: In a large bowl, toss the sliced red onion, diced cucumber, and diced tomato. Season with salt and pepper (just a pinch) and toss to combine.
- While chicken is resting under the foil (5 minutes), set everything out: grilled/warmed pita, sauce, and veggies. Slice chicken breasts and assemble. Start with pita bread and top with veggies and fresh parsley, add chicken, and drizzle tzatziki sauce on top. Enjoy immediately.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Chelsea – I made these for dinner last night and they were so delish!!! That sauce is to die for, I was dipping everything in it! ????
But more than that, I just wanted to thank you for all your hard work on this site. I can’t even count how many of your dishes I’ve made over the past two years or so (from all different categories) and EVERY single one has exceeded my expectations. There’s something magical about them, I swear haha! Your site is my first go-to if I’m looking for a specific dish and is the home of many of our family favorites. Your instructions are so clear and the ingredients are spot on every time. I’ve learned so much by cooking through your website! So thank you for helping me become a better home cook and for helping me serve delicious food to my family and friends. I’ll be back for more. ????
– Jessica
Wow!! Your comment seriously made my day!! Thank you so so much!! I’m so beyond happy to hear you’ve loved so many of my recipes! It means the world to me! Thanks again! 🙂
Ditto on Jessica’s comment! We use your site every week to make our favorite recipes or to find new ones and seriously, every dish is straight-up delightful. Thank you for the hard work, effort, creativity, and clear instructions! You have two super fans on the east coast!
I can’t tell you how much this means to me! Thank you so much for your kind comment! I’m so glad you’ve been enjoying my site! 🙂
DITTO! I’m working from home so I have time to cook for my family. I’ve made almost all of my dinners and goodies from your recipes, Chelsea! I’m honest, we haven’t had one bad one yet.
Thank you for saving dinner!
-Jess
You are so sweet Jessica! Thanks so much for your comment! 🙂
Likewise to the previous person. I’ve made some recipes from other people but always make yours the most. In my family people know your name because your recipees are soo good. You are like a hidden gem of recipees. I wish more people would share your stuff because your dishes are the best. You got me through Covid with the recipe and grocery prep.
This is the SWEETEST comment, you made my day! Seriously thank you so much! 🙂
great dish, I like making this at home with chicken since gyro meat is a little harder to make at home, so thank you
Now, this is my kind of dinner! All my favorite flavors!
Thank you! 🙂
These gyros are so good! I especially love the sauce, I even use it do dip vegetables!
Made it for the family and it was a hit!
hey girl- these gyros look amazing!