Chicken Gyros – GypsyPlate

If you’re looking for a fun new meal, our Chicken Gyros recipe is just what you need! Perfectly marinated chicken is stuffed inside pitas with all the Greek fixings.

They’re great for entertaining, but easy enough for weeknight dinners. The whole family will love loading up their own gyros to their liking, then chowing down.

These chicken gyros are so flavorful and succulent. The secret is in the marinade…

We just love Greek food in all its forms. From simple Souvlaki to the elaborate and iconic Moussaka, those flavors are all just too good.

Now everyone loves a good gyro. They’re fun and delicious handheld treats, kind of like tacos.

Traditionally, gyros are made by slicing from a cone of stacked meat that’s cooked on a vertical rotisserie. If you’re like us, you don’t have one of these gadgets in your kitchen.

With our easy recipe, you can still enjoy a mighty tasty pita wrap without any fuss!

• Flavor Explosion: Each bite of this chicken gyro is a harmonious blend of zesty lemon, rich olive oil, and aromatic spices that go so good together.
• Simple & Quick: While the chicken soaks up all the fantastic flavors during marination, the actual cook time is swift. It’s great for weeknight dinners or meal prep.
• Authentic Taste: This recipe borrows the authentic flavors from Greek cuisine. The combination of yogurt marinated chicken, tangy tzatziki, and fresh veggies ensures you’re getting a genuine gyro experience right in your kitchen.
• Versatile Serving Options: Not just limited to dinner! Serve it for lunch, at parties, or even pack it for a picnic. No matter the occasion, these gyros are sure to impress.
• Nutrient-packed: Not only is this dish an absolute taste sensation, but it’s also filled with wholesome ingredients. It’s a healthy and hearty meal you can feel good about.

• Boneless skinless chicken thighs – You can use breast in their place, but we prefer the tenderness and juiciness of thighs.
• Yogurt – Adds creaminess to the marinade and helps tenderize the chicken.
• Extra virgin olive oil – Enhances the richness of the dish and aids in cooking.
• Lemon juice – Infuses a zesty tang, balancing the savory ingredients.
• Red wine vinegar – Provides acidity, heightening the flavors.
• Garlic – Gotta have it.
• Herbs and spices – Died oregano, smoked paprika, cumin, coriander powder, salt, pepper and red chili flakes.
• To serve – Pita bread, tzatziki, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, kalamata olives, red onion and feta cheese.

1. Marinate the chicken: In a large bowl, combine yogurt, extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, garlic, herbs and spices. Add chicken and toss to coat well. Marinate in the fridge for at least 2 hours. We like to start in the morning and let it marinate all day.

2. Cook the chicken: Remove the chicken from the fridge 30 minutes before cooking. Heat olive oil in a cast iron skillet or non stick skillet over medium heat. Once hot, place chicken thighs and cook undisturbed 6-7 minutes per side, or until cooked through and lightly browned. Transfer chicken to a plate and let it rest for 5 minutes. Cut the chicken into strips.

3. Assemble gyros: Warm the pitas briefly on both sides on a hot skillet, or in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. In individual pitas, add a generous dollop of tzatziki, then load it up with chicken, veggies and feta. Enjoy!

• Chicken Selection – While we recommend thighs due to their juiciness, you can also use chicken breasts. Just be mindful not to overcook them, or they might turn out dry.
• Marination Time – The longer the marination, the better! If possible, let your chicken marinate overnight. This will allow the flavors to deeply penetrate and make the chicken super flavorful.
• Skillet Choice – A cast iron skillet is a fantastic tool for achieving a beautiful sear on your chicken. If you don’t have one, use non-stick.
• Tzatziki – While you can certainly use store bought tzatziki, we recommend making it from scratch. Try our easy Tzatziki Recipe.
• Warm Pitas – Don’t skip warming the pitas. This makes them soft and pliable, enhancing the overall gyro experience.

You can easily play around and make these Greek chicken gyros your own. Here are some ideas:

• Grill the chicken: If that barbecue grill is beckoning, you can certainly grill the chicken. Preheat to 425-450°F, then cook 8-10 minutes per side.
• Swap the protein: Try the same recipe with beef, lamb or shrimp. Note that shrimp should not be marinated for more than 30 minutes.
• Dairy free: If dairy doesn’t agree with you, use our Greek Chicken Marinade, which does not use yogurt. Swap the tzatziki with Hummus, Melizanosalata or Baba Ganoush.
• Make it spicy: Add a spoonful of Harissa Paste into the marinade to give it some kick. You could also use Tyrokafteri in place of the tzatziki, it’s a spicy feta cheese dip.
• Use other veggies: While this recipe uses traditional gyro fillings, other veggies can easily go here. Some top picks are roasted red peppers, roasted eggplant or Grilled Zucchini.
• Skip the pita: You can use the chicken in a variety of ways. Make a bowl meal by topping rice or other grains with the chicken and other toppings. Watching carbs? Try chicken gyro lettuce wraps.

The beauty of gyros lies in their versatility. Experiment, customize, and most importantly, savor every bite!

Chicken gyros are a well rounded meal all by themselves. That being said, something on the side is nice, especially if entertaining.

The obvious choice is a Greek Salad. It shares many of the same ingredients, but still goes so well there.

Other salad options include Tabbouleh, Spanish Pipirrana, or Balela Salad.

You can make a great three course Mediterranean feast by starting with Falafel, following that with Avgolemono Soup, then presenting your gyro platter.

The cooked chicken can be refrigerated for 4-5 days in an airtight container, making it a great meal prep option.

Simply reheat in the microwave, or in a lightly oiled skillet over medium heat.

Leftovers can also be frozen for 2-3 months. We recommend individually wrapping the thighs in cling wrap, then freezing the wrapped thighs together in a freezer safe zip top bag.

Whip up these easy chicken gyros this week, and savor the flavor of tender chicken, crisp veggies, and creamy tzatziki sauce.

Ready in just 30 minutes, this gyro dish is sure to become a weekday favorite!

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Try these other great Greek recipes!
Shrimp Saganaki
Lamb Kleftiko
Fasolada Soup
Keftedes (Greek Meatballs)
Steak Gyros
Psari Plaki
Soutzoukakia