Delicious and easy Greek-style chicken gyros with homemade tzatziki sauce. Flavorful chicken seasoned well and marinated in Greek yogurt for a tender texture; paired with lettuce, tomatoes, and creamy tzatziki all wrapped in soft pita bread. Throw the chicken on the grill or cook up on the stovetop- this recipe yields ultra juicy chicken with big flavor. It’s sure to be a weeknight-friendly lunch or dinner that everyone will enjoy!

greek chicken gyros with tzatziki on marbled surface

Friends, can y’all believe that we’re over halfway into 2021 already?! I mean, my goodness, time is truly flying by. Before you know it we will be doing all things related to Thanksgiving and Christmas. Until then, let us bask in where we are currently, yes? I’ve been enjoying quick eats and things that I can easily transport or meal prep for the current season. Listen, ya girl has been loving her poolside summer dates and more lol.

Greece has always been on my bucket list of top travel destinations. I cannot wait to one day visit the beautiful islands of Mykonos, Santorini, and more. Definitely looking forward to international travel but until then I’ll have to settle for culture via food, ha! Needless to say, I’ve been dreaming of sharing these Greek chicken gyros with you for a little bit. Gyros are one of my favorite eats, let’s get into it!

black hand holding greek chicken gyro on small white tray

A Note About Our Sponsor

DISCLOSURE: This post is sponsored by FoodSaver® who I’m so excited to continue working with; all thoughts expressed here are my own. So grateful to be a brand ambassador for these folks. I’ve been using a handful of their products for a while now- everything from their food preservation system, meal prep microwavable cooking bags, to their handheld vacuum sealer.

This post is highlighting their Preserve & Marinate Containers which I really like! These containers help lock in freshness and seal in flavor, with 2 different settings to choose from- Preserve & Marinate. When in the preserve mode, to containers create an airtight seal that locks in freshness to keep foods fresh longer in the fridge, freezer, or pantry. When in the marinate mode, it allows you to save time in the kitchen by marinating in minutes (about 12 to be exact) instead of hours. This feature is a dream when marinating meats (like my Greek chicken!) for those spices to penetrate the meat quickly. Great for summer eats and beyond!

You can find FoodSaver® products available at FoodSaver.com, Walmart, Amazon, Kroger, Kohls.com, Bed Bath and Beyond, Target, Best Buy, Costco, and Meijer to name a few. My friends have given me a promo code: BUTTER25 for you to use at check out for 25% off any items until the end of the year!

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  • grilled greek chicken in food container on marbled surface

Greek Chicken Gyros With Tzatziki Sauce

>>> For starters, I ain’t even going to try and tell you that this is an authentic Greek chicken gyros recipe because it isn’t. I believe in transparency and showing respect when it comes to foods tied to certain cultures. My chicken gyros recipe is Greek-inspired through an American lens.

Nevertheless, these Greek chicken gyros are crazy good with many signature gyro elements! A lot of traditional Greek recipes use yogurt, specifically Greek yogurt, when marinating. That yogurt is a game changer because it creates such a nice texture and flavor enhancer within the chicken. And tzatziki?! This Greek dip/sauce is so delicious and the perfect cool topping on these flavorful gyros.

What Is A Greek Chicken Gyro?

Great question! So, chicken gyros are a popular Greek fast food. To go further in detail, many Greek gyros are made using lamb, beef, pork, and chicken. The meat is typically cooked and then shaved off from one of those vertical rotisserie’s. You know, the spinning ones where you can see the juicy meat- I always think of New York (they are wildly popular there!). So, all in all; you’ll typically find a Greek gyro to be filled with juicy meat, lettuce, tomatoes, creamy tzatziki sauce, and more all wrapped in a pillowy soft pita bread.

Other Recipes That You Will Love

ingredients for greek chicken gyros laid out on marbled surface

Ingredients For Greek Chicken Gyros

(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)

  • Chicken thighs: I use boneless/skinless chicken thighs for my Greek chicken gyros, all the way. Dark meat chicken holds a lot of flavor compared to other chicken parts, stays more juicier, and tastes better- just being honest. I recommend chicken thighs above any other cuts of chicken. However, if you do not have them, you can use boneless/skinless chicken breasts and even chicken tenderloins.
  • Greek yogurt: You’ll need plain/unsweetened Greek yogurt. We’re using the yogurt to make signature tzatziki sauce and to marinate the chicken thighs in. Yogurt marinades are one of the best because they help to tenderize meats due to the acidic nature of fermented dairy products like yogurt.
  • Garlic cloves: Garlic makes all things greater- 5 cloves, finely minced!
  • Lemon juice: Fresh is best! Used for the tzatziki sauce and the chicken marinade, yum.
  • Olive oil: For the marinade and for cooking up the chicken.
  • Spices: Dried oregano, smoked paprika, ground nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
  • Cucumber: You will need an English cucumber to make the creamy tzatziki sauce.
  • Fresh Dill: Adds a nice herbaceous touch and used in the tzatziki.
  • For the Greek chicken gyros: To fully assemble the chicken gyros, you will need lettuce (I typically use romaine), tomatoes, and pita bread. Use your favorite pita bread- I love the whole wheat pitas!

What Is Tzatziki Sauce?

Tzatziki is a dip or sauce that is served cold. It contains ingredients like strained yogurt, shredded cucumber (squeezed dry), olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, salt/pepper, and herbs. It’s a real delight- nice and cool, ultra creamy, and so flavorful. The perfect companion and contrast to dollop in these Greek chicken gyros!

grilled greek chicken on baking sheet with lemon slices

How To Make Greek Chicken Gyros

(Note: please see the recipe card directly below for the complete written instructions.)

Making my Greek chicken gyros is so easy, y’all- in fact, just watch how laidback this recipe is!

  1. Prep the tzatziki. Combine all of the tzatziki ingredients together, mix, and pop in the fridge.
  2. Marinate the chicken. Add the chicken and marinade ingredients into a container or large baggie and massage to fully coat all of the chicken. Transfer it into the fridge to marinate for at least an hour.
  3. Cook the chicken. You can use an outdoor grill or cook up the chicken via the stovetop!
  4. Slice the chicken. Cut the chicken thighs into strips so that they fit better into the pitas.
  5. Assemble the gyros. Badda bing, badda boom, dassit! Fill the top of each pita bread evenly with lettuce, tomatoes, chicken, and tzatziki sauce. Fold and enjoy- you did it!

Elevate These Chicken Gyros To Anotha Level

>> Here’s some additional toppings to take these Greek chicken gyros up a few tasty notches!

  • crumbled feta cheese
  • kalamata olives (or your favorite olives!)
  • grilled/marinated artichokes
  • sliced red onion
  • chopped cucumbers
  • sliced bell peppers
  • crispy French fries, lawddd yes!
greek chicken gyros with tzatziki on marbled surface

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UNTIL NEXT TIME…LOVE AND BUTTER,

Q.

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greek chicken gyros with tzatziki on marbled surface

Greek Chicken Gyros with Tzatziki Sauce

★★★★★ 5 from 1 reviews
  • Author: Quin Liburd
  • Prep Time: 1 hr 15m
  • Cook Time: 20m
  • Total Time: 1 hr 35m
  • Yield: 4-6 1x
  • Category: Main Entree
  • Cuisine: Greek, American
Print Recipe

Description

Delicious and easy Greek-style chicken gyros with homemade tzatziki sauce. Flavorful chicken seasoned well and marinated in Greek yogurt for a tender texture; paired with lettuce, tomatoes, and creamy tzatziki all wrapped in soft pita bread. A great recipe for lunch or dinner!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs boneless/skinless chicken thighs
  • 1/3 cup plain whole milk Greek yogurt
  • 5 garlic cloves, finely minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • extra virgin olive oil, for cooking
  • 6 pita breads or flat breads of choice
  • 2–3 cups chopped romaine lettuce
  • 1 large tomato, roughly chopped into pieces

For the tzatziki sauce

  • 1 cup plain whole milk Greek yogurt
  • 1/2 cup grated English cucumber, water squeezed out and completely dry
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
  • lemon zest from 1 lemon
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice, from zested lemon
  • 2 tablespoons freshly chopped dill
  • 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
  • kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prep the tzatziki sauce: In a bowl, combine the yogurt, grated cucumber, minced garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, dill, oil, and salt/pepper- to taste. Stir to fully combine. Give the tzatziki a taste test and adjust seasoning, if desired. Then transfer the sauce into the fridge until ready to use.
  2. Marinate the chicken: In a large container or ziplock bag, combine the chicken thighs, yogurt, minced garlic, lemon juice, oil, oregano, paprika, nutmeg, and salt/pepper, to taste. Use your hands (fitted with disposable gloves, if desired) to combine and massage everything into the chicken until fully coated in the marinade. Transfer the chicken into the fridge to marinate for at least one hour- you can marinate the chicken for longer if you’d like (up to overnight, about 12 hours) >> be sure to turn or rotate the chicken halfway through for even marination.
  3. If using an outdoor grill– heat the grill over medium-high heat and brush with oil. Remove the chicken from the marinade and add it onto the grill. Allow the chicken to cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side or until the chicken is cooked through completely with an internal temperature of 165°F.
  4. If using an indoor pan– using a cast iron skillet/grill pan over medium-high heat, warm up 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Once the oil is shimmering hot, remove the chicken from the marinade and add into the pan, cooking in batches. Cook the chicken for about 3-5 minutes on each side or until the chicken is cooked through completely with an internal temperature of 165°F.
  5. Slice the chicken: Cut each cooked chicken thigh piece into into strips.
  6. To assemble Greek chicken gyros: Evenly distribute and fill each warmed pita (see note) with chicken, lettuce, chopped tomatoes, and tzatziki sauce. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

  1. Please read the blog post in its entirety for more tips + tricks.
  2. To warm pita bread: wrap the pita in a damp piece of paper towel and microwave for about 10-15 seconds. Alternatively, you can warm the pitas in a skillet over medium heat- brush the pita with a touch of olive oil and use tongs to flip and warm on both sides for a few minutes.
  3. Storing tzatziki: keep the sauce covered in an airtight container stored in the fridge. The tzatziki sauce will keep for up to four days.

Keywords: greek, chicken, yogurt, lemon, olive oil, pita bread, romaine lettuce, tomato, cucumber, garlic, dill