I struggled to name this post. Turns out chicken gyros (pronounced YEE-ros) go by many names. First - is it gyro or gyros? Gyro, as I have since learnt, is one pita wrap. Gyros is multiple. This recipe is for 4 so gyros it is. Then there’s the more complicated matter - it’s sometimes spelt ‘yiros’. Oh Greek food - how you constantly keep me on my toes with your different spellings. Feta / Fetta Haloumi / Halloumi Filo / Phyllo Why! Anyway, all I can hope is that whatever you googled got you here, because these chicken gyros are absolutely irresistible.
Why you’ll love this recipe…
Tender, juicy and flavourful chicken - the yoghurt marinade gives flavour and tenderises. Quick and easy - mix your marinade in 5 mins flat before work & dinner will be on the table in less than 30 mins. Great for feeding a crowd - can easily double or triple the recipe and cook on the BBQ / grill.
Love Greek food? Try these 7 Easy Greek Recipes!
What are Chicken Gyros?
The chicken gyro is a popular Greek dish. It is essentially a pita sandwich filled with chicken and other salad items (you get to choose your own adventure here) and tzatziki sauce. When you order Chicken Gyros from a takeaway restaurant you’ll typically see a slab of chicken meat hanging on the “spit” or a vertical rotisserie. I don’t know about you guys, but I don’t have a “spit” in my house, so I’ve opted to make this recipe with classic pan-fried / grilled chicken instead. Much easier to do at home. Still just as delicious.
Ingredients
The marinade below might seem like a lot of ingredients but you probably already have most (if not all) on hand! Each adds to the flavour - no bland chicken allowed! Marinade:
Chicken Thighs / Chicken Breast (either work) Greek Yoghurt Lemon Olive Oil White Wine Vinegar Dried Oregano (preferably Greek) Paprika Garlic Salt + Pepper
To Serve: Pick your favourites but the tzatziki is a non-negotiable!
Homemade Tzatziki Sauce Pita Bread (warmed to packet instructions) Lettuce Tomato Red Onion Cucumber
How to make Chicken Gyros - Step by Step
Top Tips
If you want the yummiest option (who doesn’t?) - make this with chicken thighs. They are a bit fattier than chicken breast, and are more flavourful and juicy. Chicken breasts work and are still delicious, but chicken thighs take these to the next level. Leave your chicken in the yoghurt marinade for at least 3 hours, but preferably overnight. This will help tenderise the chicken and keep it juicy. Shake off as much marinade as you can before cooking your chicken. You can cook your chicken on the grill or in the pan. If your chicken pieces are large, you may want to slice before assembling into pitas. If you’re feeding a crowd, place all the ingredients in the middle of the table and let everyone assemble their own wrap - simples! You can easy make this into a salad - just omit the pitas and load a bowl up with the ingredients. YUM.
What to serve with your Chicken Gyros
A chicken gyro is a meal in itself. You definitely have to make Greek Tzatziki to slather inside your gyro, but if you want to add some more options to the table, why not make an Easy Greek Salad and some Greek Lemon Potatoes. My tummy is grumbling just talking about it.
More Greek Recipes
Sheet Pan Greek Chicken and Potatoes One Pot Greek Chicken and Rice Greek Roast Chicken Kolokithokeftedes (Greek Zucchini Fritters) Spanakopita How to Cook Halloumi OR see all Greek Recipes
If you’ve tried these Chicken Gyros I’d love to hear how you enjoyed them! Pop a comment and a star rating below! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to keep up to date with more delicious recipes. TIPS FOR COOKING GYROS:
If you want the yummiest option (who doesn’t?) - make this with chicken thighs. They are a bit fattier than chicken breast, and are more flavourful and juicy. Chicken breasts work and are still delicious, but chicken thighs take these to the next level. Leave your chicken in the yoghurt marinade for at least 3 hours, but preferably overnight. This will help tenderise the chicken and keep it juicy. Shake off as much marinade as you can before cooking your chicken. You can cook your chicken on the grill or in the pan. If your chicken pieces are large, you may want to slice before assembling into pitas. If you’re feeding a crowd, place all the ingredients in the middle of the table and let everyone assemble their own wrap - simples! You can easy make this into a salad - just omit the pitas and load a bowl up with the ingredients. YUM.
INSPIRATION
Recipe adapted from BBC Good Food and Recipe Tin Eats.
NUTRITION: Nutrition information is from a nutrition calculator and is for one gyros without toppings. As you don’t use all of the yoghurt marinade (shaking it off before cooking), it’s a very rough calculation.
