Chicken Gyros are flavorful, healthy, and oh so easy to make! You could even make them ahead of time for an easy dinner win.
The perfect amount of spices balanced with a zing of sweet creamy yogurt sauce makes this dish a home run. It is also super easy and quick to make! For some other tasty and easy Greek dishes try Greek Grilled Chicken Pitas, Greek Meatballs with Homemade Tzatziki Sauce, and Healthy Greek Yogurt Green Goddess Dressing.
Our Favorite Chicken Gyros
As the weather warms I automatically turn my thoughts to grilling. I can’t be the only one right? I love that I can cook flavorful meals outside without heating up the house!
The first time I had a gyro was in college and it was made with lamb. It was delicious and I was hooked. I love that I can change this dish up and make something just a yummy.
A gyro is a dish made with meat cooked on a stick on a vertical rotisserie. Typically it’s served in a pita and made with ground lamb or beef. It is full of spices like chili powder, paprika, coriander, cumin, garlic, parsley, oregano, and thyme. Basically you’re going for a middle Eastern taste with a bit of a kick.
How to Make Chicken Gyros
Place chicken in a large Ziploc bag (or a baking dish with a lid). Add the olive oil, lemon zest and juice, minced garlic, oregano, salt, pepper, and dried dill. Zip closed and toss to coat evenly.
Place in the refrigerator and marinate for 30 minutes or up to an hour.
Skewer meat: Place on preheated grill and cook for 3-4 minutes on all sides (until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees). Remove chicken from the skewers and place on warmed pitas.
Add desired toppings + Serve.
Gyros Recipe FAQ
What bread to use (flatbread vs pita)? You can use either flatbread or pita. With a pita you will have to stuff it full of the yumminess, but when using a flatbread you can just fold the flatbread like a taco.
What sauce to use (do you have a Tzatziki recipe?) It is definitely recommended to use tzatziki sauce to serve with gyros. This can be made with full fat Greek yogurt, cucumber, dill, garlic, and olive oil. The flavors should be able to sit overnight so that they can fully develop.
What fillings go in it? Lettuce, tomato, and onion are great additions to your gyro meat. As well as tzatziki sauce of course.You can also use feta cheese as a topping or spread hummus on the pita bread.
Can you eat gyros cold? It is not recommended, but technically as long as the meat has been cooked through beforehand it is safe to eat at whatever temperature.
Making Ahead, Storing + More
The only MAKE AHEAD part of this dish would be the marinating part. Prepare the chicken in the marinade the night before, so that it can be grilled the next day.
You might even be able to throw the tzatziki sauce together the day before and keep it stored in the fridge in an airtight container. Keep the leftovers for up to 3 days in the fridge.
You can FREEZE leftover gyro meat right after slicing it. This should stay good in the freezer for 2-3 months.
To STORE the meat in the fridge keep it tightly covered in a container for 2-3 days. To REHEAT, place in the microwave until warmed through. After freezing let it come to room temperature in the fridge and then warm in the microwave, or in the oven until warmed through.
What to serve gyros with?
Here are some of our favorites:
Chicken Gyro Recipe
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 lb chicken breast - cut into 1 inch chunks
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lemon zest and juiced
- 2 cloves garlic - minced
- 1/4 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 1/8 tsp dried dill
Toppings
- 6-8 Pocketless pitas
- Chopped Romaine
- Diced Cucumber
- Diced Tomato
- Tzatziki Sauce
- Diced Red Onion
Instructions
- In a Large Ziploc bag, or a baking dish with a lid, add the chicken.
- Add the olive oil, lemon zest and juice, minced garlic, oregano, salt, pepper, and dried dill.
- Toss to coat evenly, cover or zip.
- Place in the refrigerator and marinate for 30 minutes or up to an hour.
- Preheat grill, skewer meat, place on grill and cook for 3-4 minutes on all sides, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
- Remove chicken from the skewers and place on warmed pitas, add desired toppings, and serve.
Nutrition
YUM! This Chicken Gyro looks incredibly delicious!! I can’t wait to try it!
Hope you enjoy them as much as we do! 🙂
This is so delicious and so tasty! Can’t wait to make these again for lunch! Such a great recipe too! Definitely making these again!
I’m so glad you enjoyed these. They are a fun idea for lunch. Thanks so much for sharing!
I served these on my homemade naan bread, and oh my gosh – we were all in heaven!!
That sounds amazing!! Glad you enjoyed the gyros!
The marinade on these are so on point! Delcious. I topped mine with feta and kalamata olives along with the cucumbers, tomato & tzatziki sauce. I always have feta & kalamatas on hand and they were the perfect addition. But that chicken is so good no matter what is topping it! Yummy yum yum!
Ooh adding feta and the kalamata olives is a great idea! Sounds delicious!