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!
Wonderful recipe! Thank you. Chicken was so delicious. Kids loved it as well! No left overs on this one.
Winner winner!!!
Hi going to try this recipe – which flatbreads are these and where from?
Hi Louise, these are actually from Harris Farm, usually I just make my flatbreads – N x
Yum, yum, yum.
I didn’t have time to fully marinate the chicken, even with my measly 20 mins, it was soooo seriously delicious and easy to prepare.
Another family favourite- thank you Nagi, you’re a legend.
WOOT! So glad you enjoyed it!
YES!!!! I love that idea!
I did this on Sunday 10am, by 2pm, I had 2 friends each having a wrap in their hand. They absolutely loved it, and I love it too. Never knew I could make a Greek dish! Thank you.
Wahoo, sounds like you nailed it Thomas!
I have not found one recipe of yours that isn’t the BEST EVER and so is this one. Give Dozer a big squeeze from me, love that dog! Grilling is the best way to cook all your chicken recipes but sometimes the weather doesn’t help. Any temp and time suggestions for the oven? Thanks
The recipe for Chicken Doner might help you with oven time and temp.
https://promotown.info/homemade-chicken-doner-kebab/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
Hi Nagi, I am so glad I found you!! You have sparked a new excitement at our dinner table. (or lunch or party times) I have tried quite a few of your recipes in the last couple of months and love them all! I love how you showcase your recipes with pictures, videos and notes and Dozer!! Soooo Great! Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!! 5 stars
thank for you for this lovely recipe, my family loved it 🙂
You’re so welcome Sana!
HI! making this now and the kitchen smells so good!!! I just have a question, is there a way to balance out the sourness of the tzatziki sauce?
Hi Michaela, if you find the yogurt is a little on the sour side, add a little sugar to balance it – N x
Great recipe and keep an eye on Dozer if he his anything like Luca that chicken would be gone off the bbq😃😃
I made this for dinner tonight with your homemade flatbread recipe and it was so delicious and easy, I love all of your recipes Nagi!
Wahoo, that’s so great to hear Georgia!
On the menu for this week. Can’t wait to try it! Can you suggest a good side dish?
A big fat Greek Salad!!! -> https://promotown.info/greek-salad/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
Hi Nagi,
Could we freeze the chicken in the marinade without the yoghurt and then add the yoghurt when removing from freezer?
Hi Janis, it would be too hard to mix the yogurt through, I would just marinade fresh ❤️
So I admit that I have not yet made this full recipe but I have been marinating chicken tenders using this marinade for about 4 months now. I make it exactly as posted and marinate for 24 hrs then bake/broil to get the char. I sometimes grill or use a grill pan and I occasionally add 1 tsp of liquid smoke before cooking the chicken. I have to tell you – I have been searching for a chicken marinade that actually flavored the chicken for probably 15 yrs. I hate leftover chicken. Hate. It. So I rarely use it for meal prep. But, this marinade is magic. It truly makes the chicken delicious and even on day 4 after cooking or after a month in the freezer, it still tastes amazing. The best part is there is absolutely zero trace of that awful leftover chicken taste. I am currently marinating 4 lbs now and will cook/freeze in 3 tender portions tomorrow. I LOVE leftover chicken now, thanks to this delicious marinade!!
That’s a great idea Candice, I’m so glad you love it!!
Made this tonight and it was awesome!! Thanks for a great recipe!!
You’re so welcome Teresa!
Made this a few weeks ago…double the recipe, you’ll want seconds, and the leftovers won’t go bad.
Tasted amazing, easy to make. Seasoning was spot on.
YESSS!!!
It was delicious! My kids loved it too.
That’s great to hear Michelle!!!
What’s the best way to cook the chicken if I don’t have a grill?
We used a cast iron pan.
Just in a skillet Diana – I hope you love it!
I can confidently say that this is the best chicken I have ever had. You are quickly becoming a legend in my family.
Woah what a compliment! Thanks so much Guy!
Hi Nagi, can I please ask which brand of flat bread/pita bread you used in these pictures? I can never find a good one at the supermarket, they are always so dry! Thanks!