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This easy chicken gyros recipe features yogurt-marinated chicken thighs, grilled or pan-seared to crispy, succulent perfection, tucked into warm pita bread with traditional fresh toppings and a homemade, non-watery tzatziki sauce.
We use a full-fat Greek yogurt marinade because the lactic acid in the yogurt gently tenderizes the chicken fibers, ensuring that even under high heat, the meat stays moist, tender, and succulent.
Inspired by traditional Greek flavors, this healthy chicken gyros recipe brings the taste of a neighborhood taverna to your kitchen, using simple ingredients prepared with care and cooked just right.
It’s also incredibly versatile, whether you serve it as a wrap, turn it into a gyros bowl, or plate it family style for a build-your-own meal that works beautifully for weeknight dinners, casual gatherings, or meal prep.
What makes this Greek chicken gyros wrap especially appealing is how easy it is to make at home, with no special equipment required, just a hot pan or grill, a good marinade, and a little patience.
The gyro itself has a fascinating culinary history, evolving from the Ottoman döner kebab and becoming a beloved Greek dish through generations of adaptation and tradition.
✅ Take a moment to read through the whole post for the ingredient list, expert tips, and equipment suggestions. The full recipe is right below.
Key Ingredients for This Easy Chicken Gyros Recipe
The magic of this recipe lies in a few high-quality ingredients used in generous amounts, with each one contributing to the rich, layered, and authentic Greek flavor.
1. Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs
- Chicken thighs have a higher fat content, which helps the meat stay exceptionally juicy and tender during the quick, high-heat cooking process, ensuring a succulent texture and rich flavor.
- While chicken breasts can be used in this recipe, they tend to dry out more easily due to their lower fat content.
2. Full-Fat Greek Yogurt
- In the marinade, the yogurt’s lactic acid naturally tenderizes the chicken, helping it stay moist and flavorful during cooking.
- Its thickness also transforms the marinade into a paste, allowing the spices to adhere strongly to the chicken strips, ensuring an intense flavor infusion and a better crust when seared.
- Greek yogurt also serves as the foundation of tzatziki sauce, providing the creamy, rich, and tangy texture that defines the classic sauce.
3. Dried Greek Oregano
- A true cornerstone of Greek cuisine, this herb should be used generously, often more than you might expect.
- Dried oregano imparts the fragrant, unmistakably authentic flavor that defines classic Greek dishes.
4. Garlic and Lemon
- Garlic brings a warm, pungent note to both the marinade and tzatziki.
- Fresh lemon juice and zest provide essential acidity and a lively citrus zing that balances the richness of the meat.
5. Sweet Paprika
- Often overlooked, sweet paprika is critical for achieving a desirable, deep color and a subtle, rounded sweetness that perfectly complements the savory, charred notes developed during cooking.
6. Cucumbers
- Cucumbers are essential for the cooling, crisp texture of the tzatziki.
- English or Persian cucumbers are preferred for their lower water content, but the crucial step is salting and squeezing the grated cucumber dry to ensure the sauce remains thick and creamy, not watery.
7. Fresh Dill
- The traditional herb for tzatziki, providing a vital fresh, herbaceous lift that separates a store-bought version from an authentic, fragrant, house-made sauce.
8. Greek Pita Bread
- Soft, pocketless, slightly chewy, and lightly pillowy, traditional Greek pita bread is the perfect vessel for chicken gyros wraps.
- Its subtle flavor complements the seasoned meat and fresh toppings, and its sturdy yet tender texture holds the filling without falling apart, allowing every bite to deliver the full combination of flavors.
Essential Tools Needed for Homemade Chicken Gyros Wraps
Fortunately, making perfect homemade chicken gyros does not require a large vertical rotisserie! Most of the kitchen tools needed are standard kitchen workhorses.
- Cutting Board and Chef’s Knife: Needed for thinly slicing the chicken thighs, chopping herbs, and preparing the tomatoes and onions.
- Mixing Bowls (or Ziplock Bags): Large bowls are needed for whisking the marinade and tossing the chicken to ensure every strip is fully coated. A ziplock bag works just as well for convenient marinating.
- Box Grater: Essential for coarsely grating the cucumber and finely grating the fresh garlic for both the chicken marinade and the tzatziki sauce.
- Fine-Mesh Strainer and Kitchen Towel: Use a clean, sturdy kitchen towel or cheesecloth to aggressively squeeze the moisture out of the grated cucumber after salting it.
- High-Heat Cooking Surface: A heavy-bottomed cast-iron skillet or a grill pan is ideal for pan-searing the chicken strips indoors. Alternatively, an outdoor grill (BBQ) works wonderfully for achieving a deep, smoky char.
- Tongs or Spatula: For flipping the chicken strips during searing and for handling the warm pita bread.
- Meat Thermometer: For absolute safety and precision, a meat thermometer is recommended to ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Why You’ll Love with These Healthy Chicken Gyros
This homemade chicken gyros recipe is a sensory experience that delivers on flavor and fits perfectly within a Mediterranean diet.
- A Bite of Greek Heaven: A bite of this gyro delivers authentically out-of-this-world flavor, with tangy, herby, garlicky meat accented by lemon and spice, perfectly balanced by fresh cucumber and tomato.
- Amazingly Quick and Easy: This chicken gyros recipe is quick and easy, requiring minimal active cooking time, and assembly takes just minutes, perfect for busy weeknights.
- Excellent for Meal Prep: This chicken gyros recipe is excellent for meal prep, as the tzatziki sauce and marinated chicken can be made days in advance, and leftover cooked chicken works perfectly in salads or even as a pizza topping.
- High in Lean Protein: Chicken gyros are high in lean protein, providing around 35 grams per serving, which supports muscle growth, promotes satiety, and contributes to overall health.
- Source of Healthy Fats: Greek chicken gyros are a good source of healthy fats, with monounsaturated fats from olive oil supporting heart health, while the natural fats in chicken thighs help keep the meat juicy.
- Probiotics and Calcium: Tzatziki, which uses Greek yogurt as its base, is rich in calcium and, if made with yogurt containing live and active cultures, provides probiotics that promote gut health.
- Rich in Vitamins and Minerals: The inclusion of fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, and lemon provides Vitamin C and Vitamin A, while the chicken contributes essential B vitamins (like Niacin and B6) and Iron.
What to Serve with Greek Chicken Gyros
While the chicken gyros wrap is a complete meal, adding traditional Greek side dishes turns it into a true feast.
1. Classic Greek Salad (Horiatiki)
This light, vinegar-based salad of tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, and Kalamata olives, topped with salty feta cheese, offers a crisp, acidic counterpoint to the rich, warm chicken.
2. Greek Roasted Potatoes (Patates Lemonates)
Roasted in lemon juice, chicken broth, and oregano, these potatoes are creamy inside with crisp edges, making them savory, tangy, and perfect for soaking up extra tzatziki.
3. Crispy French Fries
In Greece, it is common to either stuff the chicken gyros wrap with a few fries or serve a side of golden, salty fried potatoes, sometimes dusted with oregano, for a truly authentic Greek street-food experience.
4. Hummus and Pita
A generous bowl of hummus (made from chickpeas and tahini) served with extra warm pita bread provides a flavorful, healthy appetizer or dip that rounds out the meal.
Chef Tips for Making the Best Chicken Gyros
Achieving truly spectacular results requires attention to a few simple, professional-level techniques that maximize flavor and texture.
1. Watch the Marination time
While the yogurt marinade starts working in 30 minutes, allowing the chicken to marinate overnight (up to 12 hours) ensures the lactic acid tenderizes the meat deeply and the potent garlic and oregano flavors fully penetrate the fibers.
Aim for a sweet spot of 3 to 12 hours and avoid marinating longer than 24 hours, as this can cause the meat to become undesirably mushy.
2. Maximize the Char
When cooking the meat (whether grilling or pan-searing), use medium-high to high heat to achieve the deep, savory, complex, charred crust characteristic of real chicken gyros.
Crucially, do not crowd the pan and work in small batches so the temperature stays high, preventing the chicken from steaming.
3. Do Not Rinse the Marinade
Resist the urge to wipe the yogurt off the chicken before cooking for that “extra flavour oomph!”
That thick, paste-like yogurt coating is what adheres the seasoning to the meat, directly contributing to the final flavor and the development of the char.
4. Drain the Cucumber Thoroughly
Achieving a thick, stable tzatziki is essential; after grating the cucumber, toss it with a pinch of salt to draw out excess moisture through osmosis.
Then, use a clean kitchen towel to squeeze out every last drop of liquid, as skipping this step will result in a watery sauce that separates.
5. Rest the Chicken
After searing, let the chicken rest, loosely covered with foil, for at least 5 minutes.
This allows the juices to redistribute back into the muscle fibers, ensuring the finished meat is maximally succulent when sliced.
Final Remarks
This Greek chicken gyros recipe delivers tender, juicy yogurt-marinated chicken, crisp fresh vegetables, and creamy homemade tzatziki, striking the perfect balance between wholesome, vibrant, and flavorful Mediterranean comfort food.
Feel free to customize by swapping chicken thighs for lamb or beef if you prefer a leaner option, or add extras like roasted peppers, olives, or baby spinach for an extra nutritional boost.
Serve it as a wrap, a bowl, or family-style with warm pita and a side of lemon rice pilaf or Greek salad for a complete Mediterranean feast that’s sure to satisfy.
If you try this recipe, we’d love to hear how it turned out. Share your version or leave your thoughts in the comments.
You’ll find the complete list of ingredients and step-by-step cooking instructions just below.
Healthy Greek Chicken Gyros with Tzatziki Sauce
This easy chicken gyros recipe serves six and is made by marinating chicken thighs in full-fat Greek yoghurt and warm spices, then grilling or pan-searing until juicy and charred, and serving them in soft pita with fresh vegetables and homemade tzatziki sauce.
Chicken Gyros Ingredients
For the Chicken Gyros
For the Tzatziki Sauce
For Assembling the Gyros Wrap
How to Make Chicken Gyros (Step-By-Step Instructions)
Grate and Salt the Cucumber
- Using a box grater, coarsely grate the cucumber.
- Place the cucumber in a fine-mesh strainer or medium bowl and immediately toss it with a small pinch of salt.
- The salt begins the process of drawing out excess water via osmosis.
- Allow this to rest for 5 to 10 minutes.
Squeeze the Cucumber to Dry
- Place the salted cucumber in the center of a clean, sturdy kitchen towel or several layers of cheesecloth.
- Gather the edges and twist, squeezing firmly to remove as much liquid as possible.
- Transfer the drained cucumber pulp to a bowl.
Make the Tzatziki Sauce
- Then add the full-fat Greek yogurt, finely grated garlic, fresh lemon juice, olive oil, and chopped fresh dill to the same bowl with the cucumber pulp.
- Mix the ingredients until they are uniformly incorporated.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning, adding more salt, pepper, or a squeeze of lemon if desired.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or ideally longer.
Prepare the Chicken
- Take the boneless, skinless chicken thighs and slice them uniformly against the grain into thin strips, approximately ¼-inch thick.
- Cutting them thin ensures maximum contact with the marinade and allows the chicken to cook quickly and evenly.
Mix the Marinade
- In a large bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar, garlic, oregano, paprika, cumin, coriander, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Ensure the mixture is well-combined.
- The thick, paste-like consistency is important, as it helps the marinade coat the chicken evenly.
Marinate the Chicken
- Add the chicken strips to the bowl and toss thoroughly until every piece is fully coated.
- Cover the bowl or transfer the contents to a resealable bag.
- Refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours, or up to 12 hours.
- Extended marination ensures that the lactic acid fully tenderizes the meat and the intense herbs penetrate the muscle fibers for maximum flavor depth.
Heat Your Pan or Grill
- Preheat a heavy-bottomed cast iron skillet, grill pan, or outdoor grill to medium-high to high heat.
- High temperature is essential for the Maillard Reaction, which develops complex, savory flavors and the desired charred color.
- Brush the cooking surface generously with oil.
Sear in Batches
- Remove the chicken from the marinade, leaving the yogurt coating intact, as it contributes to both the char and the flavor.
- Working quickly, lay the strips flat on the hot cooking surface, making sure not to crowd the pan.
- Sear the chicken strips for 3 to 4 minutes per side, flipping only once until a deep golden-brown color and visible char marks have formed.
- For both safety and precision, the internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
Rest the Chicken
- Transfer the seared chicken to a clean cutting board.
- Cover it loosely with aluminum foil and allow it to rest for a mandatory 5 minutes before assembling the wraps.
Warm the Pita Breads
- Heat the Greek pita breads briefly on the grill pan, skillet, or directly on the grill grates for about 30 seconds to 1 minute per side until they become soft, warm, and pliable.
- Keep the warmed pitas stacked and wrapped in a clean towel or aluminum foil to maintain their warmth and moisture.
Assemble the Chicken Gyros Wraps
- Lay the warm pita flat.
- Spread a generous spoonful of the chilled, thick tzatziki sauce over the pita.
- Layer with shredded lettuce, thin tomato slices, thinly sliced red onion, and cucumber slices.
- Slice the rested seared chicken thinly against the grain to mimic traditional gyro meat.
- Pile a hefty portion of the warm chicken onto the toppings.
- Finish with a final dollop of the creamy tzatziki and a sprinkle of fresh dill.
- Fold the chicken gyros wrap securely and serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 6
Serving Size 1 Full Gyro Wrap (Approximately 190g)
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 480kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 18g28%
- Saturated Fat 6g30%
- Cholesterol 85mg29%
- Sodium 780mg33%
- Potassium 680mg20%
- Total Carbohydrate 38g13%
- Dietary Fiber 4g16%
- Sugars 6g
- Protein 35g70%
- Vitamin A 750 IU
- Calcium 150 mg
- Iron 3 mg
- Vitamin K 42 mcg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
- For best results, marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes and ideally 2 to 12 hours, but avoid exceeding 24 hours, as the acidic yogurt can make the meat mushy.
- Properly salting and squeezing the grated cucumber is essential, as failing to drain it thoroughly will make the tzatziki watery and prone to separating when chilled.
- Do not wipe off the yogurt marinade when transferring the chicken to the hot pan, as this flavorful coating is essential for charring and adds depth to the final taste.
- Always cook the chicken in small batches, as overcrowding the pan lowers the heat, preventing proper searing and resulting in gray, steamed meat instead of rich, charred flavor.
- For safety, ensure the thickest piece of chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), whether checking with a thermometer or visually.
