The marinade for the chicken for this Greek Chicken Gyros recipe is SO GOOD that I use it even when I’m not making Gyros. Try it once, and I think you’ll be as obsessed with it as I am!
This is a reader-favourite recipe included by popular demand in my debut cookbook “Dinner”!
Greek Chicken Gyros recipe
It’s been ages since I made this Greek Chicken Gyros. But the minute the chicken hit the grill, all I could think was “why don’t I make this more often??”
The smell is incredible. You can REALLY smell garlic and oregano. You know how sometimes you add herbs into things and you can’t really taste it? Or you can, but it’s a very subtle flavour. Definitely not the case with this!!
What goes in Gryos
Here are the components that make up a Greek Chicken Gyros wrap:
Marinated Greek Chicken
Tzatziki
Tomato Cucumber Salad
Flatbread to roll up the gyros – or use smaller pita breads and just fold them over
Greek Chicken Gyros Marinade ingredients
Here’s what you need for the marinade. There’s LOTS of garlic and dried oregano. Lots!!
Yogurt is a magical marinade – it’s a terrific flavour carrier and tenderises the chicken!
Yogurt is the secret ingredient in this recipe. The acid in the yoghurt breaks down the fibres so it not only softens the chicken but also helps the marinade really infuse into the flesh.
Plus, the yoghurt makes this marinade “paste like” so it stays slathered on the chicken when you cook it (unlike many marinades that are thin). So you have extra flavour oomph!
In the video, you’ll see that I cook this indoors on a grill pan. But during the warmer months, this is a BBQ favourite!
What goes in Tzatziki for Greek Gyros
And here’s what goes in the tzatziki.
Greek Yogurt please! Or at least Greek style which is what I mostly use because it’s easily found at everyday supermarkets. 🙂
How to make Greek Chicken Gyros
And onto the making part!! There are a few components to Gryos – but the making part is a cinch!
GREAT meal for groups – prepare ahead, make loads!
This Greek Chicken Gyros is a really fab recipe for entertaining. Because it is really fast to prepare and the men can BBQ while the girls sip wine and chatter. (Joke joke JOKE!!!)
Then you can just lay everything out on the table. Why should you slave away, rolling up a gyros for everyone? Make ’em do it themselves!
(Few more of my favourite large format foods, DIY style, include: Chicken or Beef / Lamb Doner kebabs, Chicken Shawarma and Lamb Shawarma, Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Bowls).
What to serve on the side
I serve Greek Chicken Gyros as a complete meal in itself because there’s a decent amount of tomato and cucumber used to stuff inside.
If you wanted to boost the fresh vegetables, a big fat juicy Greek Salad would be terrifically on theme! For something more substantial, especially if you’re making Gyros for a group, try this Greek Lemon Orzo Salad as well.
And though not specifically a Greek-style salad, this Cucumber Salad with Garlic & Herb Dressing OR this Creamy Cucumber Salad with Lemon Yogurt Dressing would go down a treat with this Gyros. I also offer a Greek take on my recipe for Roasted Pumpkin with Yogurt Sauce and Pine Nuts (see Customisations ideas section) that would be a great partner to the Gyros.
If you’re really wanting to impress, make Gyros using your very own homemade flatbread wraps. They’re easy and they’re made without yeast!!
– Nagi x
Watch how to make it
This recipe features in my debut cookbook Dinner. The book is mostly new recipes, but this is a reader favourite included by popular demand!
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Greek Chicken Gyros with Tzaziki
Ingredients
- 2 lb / 1 kg chicken thigh fillets , boneless skinless
Marinade
- 3 large garlic cloves , minced (~ 3 tsp)
- 1 tbsp white wine vinegar (or red wine or apple cider vinegar)
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tbsp Greek yogurt , preferably full fat
- 1 1/2 tbsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- Black pepper
Tzatziki
- 2 cucumbers (to make about 1/2 – 3/4 cup grated cucumber after squeezing out juice)
- 1 1/4 cups Greek yoghurt , preferably full fat
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (or more if you want richer)
- 1 garlic clove , minced
- 1/4 tsp salt
- Black pepper
Salad
- 3 tomatoes , desseeded and diced
- 3 cucumbers , diced
- 1/2 red spanish onion , peeled and finely chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves (optional)
- Salt and pepper
To Serve
- 4 to 6 pita breads or flat breads
Instructions
- Place the Marinade ingredients in a ziplock bag and massage to mix. Add the chicken into the ziplock bag and massage to cover all the chicken in the Marinade. Marinate for at least 2 hours, preferably 3 hours, ideally 12 hours and no longer than 24 hours.
Make the Tzatziki
- Cut the cucumber in half lengthwise. Use a teaspoon to scrape the watery seeds out. Coarsely grate the cucumber using a box grater. Then wrap in paper towels or a tea towel and squeeze to remove excess liquid.
- Place cucumber in a bowl. Add remaining ingredients then mix to combine. Set aside for at least 20 minutes for the flavours to meld.
Salad
- Combine ingredients in a bowl.
Cook Chicken
- Brush the outdoor grill with oil, then preheat on medium high. Or heat 1 tbsp of oil in a fry pan over medium high heat.
- Remove chicken from Marinade. Cook the chicken for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, until golden brown and cooked through (cooking time depends on size of chicken).
- Remove the chicken from the grill / fry pan onto a plate. Cover loosely with foil and allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Assemble Gyros
- If your chicken thighs are large, you may need to cut them. Mine were small.
- Get a pita bread or flatbread (preferably warmed) and place it on a piece of parchment (baking) paper (or you could use foil). Place some Salad down the middle of the bread, then top with chicken and Tzatziki.
- Roll the wrap up, enclosing it with the parchment paper. Twist the end with the excess parchment paper to secure it and cut if desired.
- I prefer to lay everything out on a table and let everyone help themselves.
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
First published June 2015. Long overdue for fresh new photos and a brand new video!!
Life of Dozer
WAY too close to the BBQ!
This is fantastic! We make it all the time ! I never liked gyros until I found this recipe !!
You’re totally converted now! N x
This is my partners favourite meal of all time! We have it every month with the homemade flatbread in the description! Easy to make for a crowd as everything can be prepared in advance.
Yes definitely! I’m so glad you love it! N x
Hi Nagi, I only have 0% fat Greek yogurt on hand. Will the tzatziki still turn out alright?
Yes definitely!
Such yummy flavours and the smell of the chicken cooking was wonderful. Served with smashed baby potatoes and fresh green beans. Thanks for another winning recipe Nagi.
Perfect Sherry!
Another one for the regulars list. I halved the amount to tzatziki. Thanks Nagi!
I doubled this recipe for my ‘big fat Italian’ extended family dinner and it was a massive hit with young & old. Thank you for another exceptional, flavour-packed recipe!
Wahoo! That’s great Alicia!
Easy and yummy! I used chicken thighs and breasts with pita. Definitely will be a go to recipe!
Perfect Linda! I’m so glad you enjoyed it 🙂
this would work so well with lamb too, chicken is a cheaper option here in Canada. Btw love your recipes Nagi, look forward to them
Yes I love lamb Angie!!
Hi Nagi, was wandering if I could use the same marinade using lamb?
I’ve never rated or commented on a recipe before, but for this one I had to! I found this earlier last year, and every time I make it, I end up doing it two weeks in a row, it’s so delicious! I haven’t made the salad, just use spring mix instead, but everything else is great. Love it!
Thanks so much for taking the time to let me know Elizabelle ❤️
Nagi, this receipe is the best! So delicious and fresh. We have swapped the pita for a wrap, as we prefer the texture, but otherwise loooooooooove this recipe. In fact, we now regularly make the cucumber/tomato salad to pair with other meals. Thank you.
YESSS! That’s great to hear Cathleen!
Hi! I read that the chicken with the marinade can be frozen, but could the tzaziki sauce be frozen too?
Hi Keira, it may split upon being thawed because of the cucumber water content – N x
Finally found a winner!! Everyone loved it, even my very picky and particular eater. For years I tried to find a reliable recipe for greek chicken and this is it! The tzatziki was delicious and brightened up the flavors of the meal. I paired it with roasted veggies instead of the tomato cucumber salad only because it’s winter but I will definitely be trying it in the summer! Thank you Nagi!
That’s so great to hear Paulina!
Hi Nagi!
Saw the clip for this recipe on Facebook and it looked so good!
I had my bestie over and made this for our lunch. The tzatziki was so yummmm and the chicken was delicious!! Even my fussy kids had some chicken!
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe! Would definitely make again along with all the other recipes of yours that I’ve tried. Xx
I’m so glad it was a hit Maria!!
Hi Nagi,
Can this be made also using your shredded cabbage, carrot and mint salad? Or not recommended?
Yes definitely Michael!!
These were amazing. The Tzatzikimwas to die for, and I made the flatbread too. Definitely a repeat meal!
I’m so happy you enjoyed it Amrose!
This recipe was a perfect reminder of our trip to Greece. My husband said it was even better than the ones we ate locally! Love the Tzatziki and flat bread too!
That’s such a great compliment Annie!
I used chicken breast (marinated it over night) and it was very tender and delicious. Thanks!
Wahoo! That’s great Olga!
This chicken recipe was a hit too. I’ve been a little addicted to roasted grapes and red onions lately, and the Greek chicken and Tzatziki went well with it. As someone recommended in the comments for those not able to winter grill, the cooking method from the chicken doner recipe worked well.
Delicious!
Just wanted to comment that this has become my weekly prep meal, I do a batch of it on Sunday and its my lunches for the week. So good.
Yes that’s great Jay!!!