When you need a fast, flavorful dinner that everyone is sure to love, these Greek Chicken Gyros are the perfect answer! Tender chicken is marinated in a simple yogurt-based mix, cooked until perfectly juicy, and wrapped up in soft pita bread with fresh toppings like tomatoes, cucumbers, and feta. It's an easy, homemade meal that can be put on the table fast!
Whether you're a fan of Mediterranean cuisine or just looking for a new delicious, family-friendly dinner option, these gyros are the perfect satisfying meal that's quick to make and fun to eat.
Jump to:
🥙What is a gyro?
Gyros are a beloved and iconic street food in Greece. They consist of thinly sliced, seasoned meat. These tender slices of meat are served in a piece of warm, soft Homemade Pita Bread, along with toppings like Greek Tzatziki Sauce, tomatoes, onions, lettuce, and even French fries, which add a unique and delicious crunch to the mix!
❤️Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Easy to Prep: Just marinate, cook, and assemble—perfect for busy nights.
- Better Than Takeout: Fresh, homemade, and way more satisfying than anything you’d grab at the drive-thru.
- Family-Friendly: Everyone can build their own gyro just the way they like it!
🛒Ingredients
- Chicken breasts: Lean, tender, and cooks up quickly!
- Greek yogurt: The base of the marinade—it keeps the chicken super tender and adds a tangy flavor.
- Lemon juice: I highly recommend using fresh lemon juice for the best flavor.
- Greek seasoning: Use store-bought or make your own Homemade Greek Seasoning.
See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.
🔄 Substitutions & Variations
- Chicken breasts: You can also use chicken thighs.
- White wine vinegar: Red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar can be used instead.
🥙 How to Make Greek Chicken Gyros
Step 1: Place the chicken and the marinade ingredients in a gallon freezer bag or large airtight container. Place in the refrigerator and marinate for 2 hours.
Step 2: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Coat the skillet with olive oil to prevent the chicken from sticking.
Place the chicken breasts on the hot skillet. Cook the chicken for 5-7 minutes on each side, until golden brown and cooked through (meat thermometer should read 165 F.)
Step 3: Remove the chicken from the skillet and transfer it to a cutting board. Let rest for at least 5 minutes. Cut the chicken into long strips.
Step 4: Assemble the gyros by placing all of the desired toppings on a piece of warm pita bread. Fold the pita in half, or wrap it in aluminum foil, and serve.
🌟 Expert Tips
- Not a fan of chicken? Substitute it for something else like pork, lamb, or beef.
- Chop your veggies and make Homemade Pita Bread and Homemade Tzatziki while the chicken is marinating. Then dinner comes together in just minutes!
- It’s tempting, but keeping the filling manageable rather than overstuffing the pita bread makes it easier (and less messy!) to eat the gyros.
- If you're making these for a crowd or packing them in lunches, wrapping the gyros in foil helps hold everything together and keeps them warm longer.
💭 FAQs
A traditional gyro is served in warm pita bread, that is rolled up with meat (like lamb or chicken), tzatziki sauce, tomatoes, onions, and french fries.
Gyro is pronounced yee-ro (sounds like euro), not jai-ro. 😉
I love whipping up some homemade Tzatziki Sauce, and then using veggies like tomatoes, lettuce, cilantro, red onions, and cucumber, and a bit of crumbled feta. You can customize the gyros however you'd like! Additional topping ideas include french fries, hummus (try my Homemade Hummus Recipe!), kalamata olives, and bell peppers.
Store leftover chicken and toppings in separate airtight containers and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
🏛️ More Greek Recipes to Try
📋 Recipe
Greek Chicken Gyros
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds chicken breast
Marinade
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- juice from 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
- 3 tablespoons Greek seasoning
Serving Suggestions
- Pita bread
- Tomatoes diced
- English cucumber diced
- Romaine lettuce shredded
- Feta cheese
- Red onions sliced
- Tzatziki sauce
Instructions
- Place the chicken and the marinade ingredients in a gallon freezer bag or large airtight container. Place in the refrigerator and marinate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Coat the skillet with olive oil to prevent the chicken from sticking.
- Place the chicken breasts on the hot skillet. Cook the chicken for 5-7 minutes on each side, until golden brown and cooked through (meat thermometer should read 165 F.)
- Remove the chicken from the skillet and transfer it to a cutting board. Let rest for at least 5 minutes. Cut the chicken into long strips.
- Assemble the gyros by placing all of the desired toppings on a piece of warm pita bread. Fold the pita in half, or wrap it in aluminum foil, and serve.
Notes
-
- Storage Info: Store leftover chicken and toppings in separate airtight containers and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
- Prep Tip: Chop your veggies and make Homemade Pita Bread and Homemade Tzatziki while the chicken is marinating. Then dinner comes together in just minutes!
- Feeding a crowd or meal prepping? If you're making these for a crowd or packing them in lunches, wrapping the gyros in foil helps hold everything together and keeps them warm longer.
Ashley Amundsen says
My family is obsessed with this recipe! We literally can't get enough! It's the perfect balance of flavors and textures, and what better way to sneak in some veggies too? This is on our weekly dinner rotation because we love how delicious and easy it is to make!