Name: Greek Chicken Gyros
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Greek
Ingredients: 1 pound chicken thighs, boneless and skinless; 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 tablespoon lemon juice (about 1/2 lemon); 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1 teaspoon cumin; 1/2 teaspoon paprika; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 1 cup plain Greek yogurt; 1 cucumber; 2 cloves garlic, finely minced or grated; 1 tablespoon lemon juice (about 1/2 lemon); 1 teaspoon dried dill; 1 teaspoon dried parsley; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 4 pita breads; 1 tomato, sliced; 2 cups romaine lettuce, thinly sliced; 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced

Wrapped in warm pita bread and covered in tzatziki sauce, these homemade Greek chicken gyros are as delicious as they are nutritious. And the best part is, they are super quick and easy to make!

Plate of Greek chicken gyros wrapped in parchment paper with tzatziki sauce.

I don’t know about you, but I love Greek food and I love a good gyro. Whether you’re getting them at a street vendor, food truck, or restaurant, these handheld wraps are always a hit. The combination of a warm pita, succulent lemony chicken, crunchy vegetables, and creamy tzatziki always hits the spot. While authentic chicken gyro is cooked low and slow on a vertical rotisserie, you can make a quicker version at home with this simplified Greek chicken gyro recipe.

By cooking your chicken on a grill or in a grill pan, you can create the tender, juicy, and ever so slightly crispy chicken pieces we know and love in a fraction of the time without forgoing flavor. Trust me, this gyro recipe is so good your family will be wondering if it’s take-out.

Two Greek chicken gyros on a plate with a side of tzatziki sauce with a bowl of fries and sparkling water in the background.

Why You’ll Love Them

High in Protein – With over 35 grams of protein per serving, these Greek chicken gyros are perfect for a high-protein meal.
Full of Flavor – The combination of garlic, herbs, spices, and homemade tzatziki sauce ensures the gyros are full of flavor.
Great for a Crowd – This recipe can be done on the stovetop or the grill and can easily be doubled or tripled without much effort.

Ingredients for Greek chicken gyros; chicken thighs, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, dill, parsley, salt, pepper, cucumber, lettuce, tomatoes, red onion, and pita bread.

Ingredients + Substitutions

Chicken Thighs – I used chicken thighs because I think they provide better flavor but you can use chicken breasts if you like.
Greek Yogurt – To make the Greek chicken marinade, it helps to flavor and tenderize the chicken, and make the tzatziki sauce. The recipe calls for Greek yogurt, but regular yogurt will work well too.
Olive Oil – To make the marinade and cook the chicken.
Lemon Juice – To balance the flavors in the marinade and tzatziki. I used fresh lemon juice but you can use lemon concentrate or red wine vinegar if needed.
Herbs and Spices – A mixture of garlic cloves, dried dill, parsley, paprika, and cumin to marinate the chicken.
Pita Bread – To wrap the chicken gyros.
Veggies – A bit of cucumber to make the tzatziki and a combination of fresh tomatoes, lettuce, and red onion to make the gyros. You can also add a bit of feta cheese if you like.
Salt and Pepper – To season.

I made homemade tzatziki sauce for my recipes but you can certainly buy store-bought tzatziki sauce if preferred. Just be sure to read the label and look at the ingredients so you can choose the best option possible.

Bowl of raw chicken thighs in Greek marinade.

Dietary Adaptions

To Make them Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free pita bread.

To Make them Dairy-Free: Swap the Greek yogurt for coconut yogurt or almond milk yogurt.

Homemade tzatziki sauce in a small white bowl with a serving spoon.

How to Make Greek Chicken Gyros

Marinate the chicken. In a large bowl, add the Greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, oregano, paprika, cumin, and salt, and whisk to combine. Add the chicken thighs to the bowl, toss to coat in the marinade, then cover with plastic wrap, and transfer to the fridge for at least 2-3 hours or overnight.
Make the tzatziki. In a small bowl, add the Greek yogurt, shredded cucumber, lemon juice, minced garlic, dried dill, dried parsley, and salt, and whisk to combine, then set aside.
Cook chicken. Warm a grill, grill pan, or cast-iron skillet to medium-high heat, warm some olive oil, then add the chicken thighs and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F. Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a plate to cool for 5 minutes, then slice it into thin strips.
Assemble gyros. Warm pita bread in the microwave for 10-20 seconds, then fill with slices of chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, red onion, and dollop with tzatziki sauce.
Serve and enjoy! The Greek chicken gyros can be enjoyed immediately, and any leftover chicken can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

You can find the detailed instructions in the recipe card below.

Cooked Greek chicken thighs in a cast-iron grill pan.

Red’s Nutrition Tip

You can decrease the calorie content and increase the protein content of these gyros by making them with chicken breasts instead of thighs. While the nutritional differences between chicken breast and chicken thighs are minimal, in fact, they are far more similar than people think, breasts are a slightly leaner source of protein.

Platter with sliced grilled Greek chicken gyros meat with a side of pita bread, tzatziki, tomato slices, sliced red onion, and shredded lettuce.

Serving Suggestions

These Greek chicken gyros can be enjoyed on their own as a balanced meal as they contain protein, carbohydrates, fiber, and healthy fats. If you wanted to serve them as part of a larger meal, I would suggest serving them with:

Greek salad
Lemon roasted potatoes
Oven fries
Rice pilaf
Dolmades
Olives
Hummus

Two Greek chicken gyros on a plate with tzatziki with a side of fries and sparkling water.

Storage + Reheating

To Refrigerate: Allow the chicken to cool completely and then store it in an airtight container for 4 days. The tzatziki sauce can be stored in a separate airtight container for up to 1 week.

To Freeze: Once cooled, the chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.

To Reheat: Once thawed, the chicken can be reheated on the stove in a pan on medium heat for 3-5 minutes – this will help to create the best texture. It can also be reheated in the oven at 350°F for 5-10 minutes or in the microwave for 2-3 minutes.

Close of a Greek chicken gyros in a warm pita bread.

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