Unwrap the joy of this Chicken Gyro recipe! Flavorful, nutritious, and ideal for preparing ahead of time, they guarantee a delightful dinner experience in just 30 minutes.
Chicken Gyros are a favorite in our home. A blend of seasoned chicken, vegetables, and a delicious sauce all wrapped up in a warm pita bread makes a delightful meal. One thing I love about this recipe is you can make it ahead of time and eat it throughout the week!
The perfect amount of spices, balanced with a zing of sweet creamy yogurt sauce, makes this Chicken gyros 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.
Table of Contents
What is a Gyro?
A gyro is a dish made with meat cooked 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.
Reasons to Love These Gyros
- Chicken Gyro is rich in spices, creating an irresistible taste.
- It’s fast and easy to prepare, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- Chicken Gyros are easy to wrap up and take on-the-go, ideal for a quick lunch.
Recipe Ingredients
- Lemon: Adds a bright, citrusy zing that cuts through the richness of the chicken.
- Oregano: Provides earthy, slightly bitter notes with a hint of mint.
- Tzatziki Sauce: Creamy with a tangy kick from yogurt and cucumbers, this sauce adds moisture and a refreshing contrast.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Variations
- Filling Variations: In addition to the classic lettuce, tomato, and onion, enhance your gyro by adding feta cheese for a creamy texture or spreading hummus on the pita for extra flavor.
- Sauce Option: Tzatziki sauce remains a must for its cool, tangy complement to the spiced meat. Make your own by combining full-fat Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, dill, minced garlic, and olive oil. Allow the flavors to meld overnight for full development.
How to Make Chicken Gyros
Step 1: In a large Ziploc bag, or a baking dish with a lid, add the chicken.
Step 2: Add the olive oil, lemon zest and juice, minced garlic, oregano, salt, pepper, and dried dill.
Step 3: Toss to coat evenly, then cover or zip the bag.
Step 4: Place in the refrigerator and marinate for 30 minutes or up to an hour.
Step 5: Preheat the grill. Skewer the meat, place it on the grill, and cook for 3-4 minutes on all sides, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius).
Step 6: Remove the chicken from the skewers and place it on warmed pitas. Add desired toppings and serve.
Expert Tips
- Marinate Longer: For even more flavor, let the chicken marinate overnight. The longer marination helps the flavors penetrate deeper into the chicken, enhancing the taste.
- Grill Prep: Oil the grill grates before adding the chicken to prevent sticking. This ensures clean flipping and keeps the meat’s surface intact for better texture and flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can use chicken thighs instead of chicken breast. Chicken thighs are juicier and more flavorful, making them a great choice for grilling and adding richness to your gyros.
You can use either flatbread or pita bread for this recipe. With a pita, you will need to stuff it full of ingredients, but with flatbread, you can simply fold it like a taco to hold everything.
It is not recommended, but technically, as long as the meat has been thoroughly cooked beforehand, it is safe to eat at any temperature.
Storage Info
To STORE your Chicken Gyros, place it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days when kept in an airtight container. You can FREEZE the cooked chicken for up to 2-3 months; however, it’s best to add fresh toppings and pita when ready to serve.
To REHEAT, place the chicken in a skillet over medium heat or in a microwave until heated through. If using a microwave, cover the chicken with a damp paper towel to retain moisture.
More Greek Recipes That You’ll Love
Chicken Gyro Recipe
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 lb chicken breast - cut into 1 inch chunks
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lemon zest and juiced
- 2 cloves garlic - minced
- 1/4 teaspoon 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, then cover or zip the bag.
- Place in the refrigerator and marinate for 30 minutes or up to an hour.
- Preheat the grill. Skewer the meat, place on the grill, and cook for 3-4 minutes on all sides, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius).
- Remove the chicken from the skewers and place it on warmed pitas. Add desired toppings and serve.
Liked how the chicken didn’t feel dry and the yogurt sauce made it feel sorta fresh.