Chicken Gyro

Chicken Gyros are an easy, wholesome meal that is packed full of flavor! Warm pita bread is stuffed with tender yogurt-marinated Greek chicken, fresh tomatoes and onions, and Tzatziki sauce to create a Greek Chicken Gyro that is sure to become a favorite go-to recipe.

There may be controversy on how you pronounce the word gyro, but there is no controversy on how good a simple gyro is. Tender meat, fresh tomatoes, warm pita, and creamy Tzatziki Sauce, create a masterpiece of contrasting textures, temperatures, and flavor.

Now traditionally Greek Gyros are prepared with lamb that is cooked on a vertical rotisserie. However, that is just not feasible for weeknight cooking at home. In fact, it is not feasible for most families ANY NIGHT of the week, as most of us do not have a vertical rotisserie.

However, that is no reason to not enjoy Greek Gyros at home! Greek Chicken makes a great substitute for the classic lamb. Making preparing gyros at home, simple and affordable. But most importantly, this recipe for Chicken Gyros is still 100% delicious!

Notes on Essential Ingredients

Chicken Gyros are made with grilled Greek Chicken, fresh tomatoes, onions, and Tzatziki sauce served on pita bread. However, what sets this recipe apart is attention to the details. Use my guide for ingredients to pack in the most flavor, with minimal effort!

• Chicken: Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or boneless, skinless chicken thighs.
• Greek Chicken Marinade: This flavorful Greek marinade is made with plain Greek yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, and salt and pepper. The yogurt and lemon juice will work together to break the chicken down, allowing it to become incredibly tender.
• Onions: I prefer using red onions for the gyro topping, but feel free to use sweet or yellow onions if that is what you have on hand.
• Tomatoes: Use any tomato you like, but be sure to remove the seeds from the tomatoes, so they don't water down the gyro. I typically opt for Roma tomatoes, as they have fewer seeds than vine-ripened tomatoes and are easy to find ripe year-round.
• Pita Bread: Look for a pita wrap, not pita pockets. Gyros are best wrapped around pita, not stuffed into the pocket of pita bread.
• Lettuce: I find it is best to use soft green leaf lettuce versus romaine or iceberg lettuce for easier layering and eating.
• Tzatziki Sauce: I opt to use my Homemade Tzatziki Sauce because it is super easy to make, but you can opt for a store-bought brand instead.

How to Make Chicken Gyros

Step One: Marinate Chicken

In order to impart Greek flavors into the chicken to replicate the flavors you know and love in classic gyros, it is crucial to marinate the chicken, using my recipe for Greek Chicken Marinade.

• To prepare the marinade, whisk together yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, and salt and pepper together in a large mixing bowl.
• Add the chicken to the marinade, tossing to coat.
• Cover the bowl and place the chicken into the refrigerator. Let the chicken marinate for for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours. Don't let the chicken sit in the marinade for over 4 hours, or the chicken will become mushy.

Step Two: Grill Chicken

Whether you choose to grill your chicken on the grill or using a grill pan on the stove, adding a nice sear to the marinated chicken will provide texture and flavor to the gyro itself.

• Once the chicken has been marinated, brush the grates of the grill or grill pan with a bit of oil and preheat to medium-high heat.
• Remove the chicken from the marinade and place the chicken onto the prepared grill or pan.
• Discard the marinade!!!
• Cook the chicken for 5-6 minutes per side, or until the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.

• Remove the chicken from the grill and let rest for 5 minutes. That rest time will help keep the chicken super juicy and tender.
• After the chicken has rested, slice the chicken into thin strips across the grain.

Step Three: Prepare Toppings

Take a few minutes to prepare the pita bread, tomato mixture, and lettuce for the Chicken Gyros while the chicken is grilling or resting.

• Wash and dry lettuce and set aside.
• Warm pita bread in a dry skillet for 15- 30 seconds per side, until soft and pliable.
• In a small mixing bowl, toss together the diced, seeded tomatoes, onions, lemon juice, salt, and parsley.

Step Four: Assemble Chicken Gyros

Gyros are best assembled immediately prior to serving, to keep the pita bread from becoming soggy and for the warm pita and chicken to contrast to the cool tomatoes and Tzatziki sauce.

• Place ¼-1/3 cup sliced chicken on center of each warmed pita.
• Top with ¼ cup of the diced tomato mixture.
• Generously dollop Tzatziki Sauce over the Chicken Gryo and serve immediately.

Serving Suggestions

Chicken Gyros make a delicious, wholesome meal any night of the week. This hearty Greek wrap if filling on its own, but can also be paired with a side for a filling family dinner.

• Serve Chicken Gryos with a side of Mediterranean Chickpea Salad or Greek Quinoa Salad, for a Greek-inspired dinner.
• Serve a side of Instant Pot Hummus on the side of the Gyro with some fresh veggies and additional pita for dipping.
• For a more kid-friendly option, serve these Chicken Gyros with Baked Sweet Potato Fries or Homemade Oven Fries.

If you enjoyed this recipe for Homemade Chicken Gryos, I would love for you to leave a comment and review below.

This post was originally published in 2017 but updated in 2022 with new photos and a new video.