Whether you make Chicken Gyros on the grill, in the Instant Pot, or in the Slow Cooker, you will fall in love with this Easy Gyro Recipe that is served with fresh tomatoes and onions and a homemade Tzatziki Sauce.
There may be controversy on how you pronounce the word Gyro, but there is no controversy on how good a simple Gyro Sandwich is.
While lamb cooked on vertical rotisserie is traditional in this Greek sandwich, seasoned chicken makes a great substitute–and can be prepared without the rotisserie with great results.
Easy Chicken Gyros
To create a perfect gyro, you need 4 essential things.
- Seasoned, juicy meat
- Tzatziki Sauce
- Diced tomatoes and onions
- Warm Pita Bread
When tender, juicy chicken is piled onto a soft warm pita and then topped with creamy Tzatziki and fresh onions and tomatoes, a gyro sandwich becomes a masterpiece. Chicken Gyros are filled with contrasting temperatures and textures and of course incredibly flavor.
How to Make Chicken Gyros
- Make Greek Marinade for Chicken
- Let chicken marinade for at least 2-4 hours.
- Cook Chicken
- grill, slow cook, saute, oven bake or cook in pressure cooker.
- Make Tzatziki Sauce
- Chop Onions and Tomatoes
- Assemble Chicken Gyros on pita bread.
Preparing Chicken for Gyros
After you marinate the chicken in the Greek marinade, you can prepare this chicken in a variety of ways. In the winter I opt for slow cooking, or using my Instant Pot to achieve shredded, juicy chicken. In the summer, I love to throw the chicken on the grill for an added charred flavor in the gyro.
This Greek Marinade consists of yogurt, lemon juice and dried oregano. It is a simple marinade that flavors and tenderizes the chicken for a perfect base for these gyros. For these Chicken Gyros, I like to add minced garlic for extra flavor. Feel free to omit if you are not a fan of garlic.
Grilled Chicken Gyros
- Marinate chicken as directed for at least 2 hours.
- Preheat grill to medium high heat.
- Remove chicken breasts from marinade and grill on each side until the chicken reaches 165 degrees, about 5-6 minutes per side.
- Remove chicken from grill and let rest for 5-10 minutes.
- Slice into thin strips.
Instant Pot Chicken Gyros
- Marinate chicken as directed for at least 2 hours.
- Remove chicken from marinade and place in oven safe dish that will fit inside pressure cooker.
- Place the rack inside the inner pot of your pressure cooker and pour in 1 cup of water.
- Place the dish with the chicken on the rack and close the lid.
- Cook on high pressure for 7 minutes for chicken breasts. (Yes, I know I normally say 6 minutes for fresh chicken breasts, but when using Pot in Pot Method you usually need to add 1 minute to cook time.
- Let pressure release naturally.
- Shred chicken with two forks or hand held kitchen mixer.
Slow Cooker Chicken Gyros
- Marinate chicken as directed for at least 2 hours.
- Remove chicken from marinade and place into slow cooker.
- Add in 1/2 cup chicken stock.
- Cook on low heat for 3-4 hours, or until chicken reaches and internal temperature of 165 degrees.
- Shred chicken with two forks or hand held kitchen mixer.
Oven Baked Chicken Gyros
- Marinate chicken as directed for at least 2 hours.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Remove chicken breasts from marinade and place on oven safe broiler pan or sheet pan.
- Bake chicken breasts for 18-20 minutes, or until chicken breasts reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
- Remove chicken from oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes.
- Slice into thin strips.
Toppings for Chicken Gyros
To make a good Gyro, you MUST have the right toppings.
- Tzatzki Sauce
- Diced tomatoes and onions
- finely chop up red onions and tomatoes and season with a splash of fresh lemon juice, salt, and chopped parsley.
To Assemble Chicken Gyros
- Warm pita bread in dry skillet or microwave for 30 seconds, until soft and pliable.
- Place 1/4-1/3 cup sliced or shredded chicken on center or each pita.
- Top with 1/4 cup diced red onions and tomatoes.
- Generously dollop Tzatziki Sauce over Chicken Gryo.
More Mediterranean Recipes
- Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
- Greek Quinoa Salad
- Instant Pot Hummus
- Mediterranean Frittata
- Simple Greek Pinwheels
Chicken Gyro Recipe
I would love to know how you enjoy this recipe! Be sure to leave a comment and let me know. Or snap a picture and tag @amindfullmom on Instagram and hashtag it #amindfullmom
Easy Chicken Gyros
Ingredients
For Chicken
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
For the Tomatoes and Onions
- 1 small red onion minced
- 3-4 ripe roma tomatoes diced
- 1 tablespoon parsley chopped
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- salt and pepper to taste
For the Chicken Gyros
- 1 recipe Tzatziki Sauce
- 6-8 pita breads
Instructions
Make Greek Marinade for Chicken
- Mix together yogurt, lemon juice, and seasonings in large bowl or freezer bag. Submerge chicken breasts into marinade.
- Let chicken marinade for at least 2-4 hours.
Cook Chicken
- Chop Onions and Tomatoes
Assemble Chicken Gyros
Grilled Chicken Gyros
- Preheat grill to medium high heat. Remove chicken breasts from marinade and grill on each side until the chicken reaches 165 degrees, about 5-6 minutes per side. Remove chicken from grill and let rest for 5-10 minutes. Slice into thin strips.
Instant Pot Chicken Gryos
- Remove chicken from marinade and place in oven safe dish that will fit inside pressure cooker. Place the rack inside the inner pot of your pressure cooker and pour in 1 cup of water. Place the dish with the chicken on the rack and close the lid. Cook on high pressure for 7 minutes for chicken breasts. Let pressure release naturally. Shred chicken with two forks or hand held kitchen mixer.
Slow Cooker Chicken Gyros
- Remove chicken from marinade and place into slow cooker. Add in 1/2 cup chicken stock. Cook on low heat for 3-4 hours, or until chicken reaches and internal temperature of 165 degrees. Shred chicken with two forks or hand held kitchen mixer.
Oven Baked Chicken Gyros
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Remove chicken breasts from marinade and place on oven safe broiler pan or sheet pan. Bake chicken breasts for 18-20 minutes, or until chicken breasts reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Remove chicken from oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes. Slice into thin strips.
Prepare Tomatoes and Onions
- Mix together diced tomatoes, onions, lemon juice, and chopped parsley. Season with pinch of salt and pepper.
Assemble Chicken Gryos
- Warm pita bread in dry skillet or microwave for 30 seconds, until soft and pliable.
- Place 1/4-1/3 cup sliced or shredded chicken on center or each pita. Top with 1/4 cup diced red onions and tomatoes. Generously dollop Tzatziki Sauce over Chicken Gryo.
Notes
- It is a great idea to prepare double the chicken and freeze cooked chicken to enjoy Chicken Gryos at a later date.
To Make Chicken Gyros, You May Need
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Kristen Chidsey
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This chicken is DELICIOUS! I make it weekly. We serve it with naan bread. The recipe makes enough for us to have more throughout the week. SOOOO good!
I am so happy you all love this recipe Kareen! Thank you for taking the time to review😊
oh my gosh this was so tasty!!
Yay!! I love hearing that Aimee!
Love this recipe!!! Thank you for sharing
I am so glad you enjoyed!
My family loved this recipe! Will be making again and again!
I LOVE hearing that!!!