Bring the street food of Greece into your kitchen with these fresh Mediterranean Chicken Gyros. While traditional gyros are made with meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie, this home-friendly version uses marinated chicken thighs seared to perfection to replicate that juicy, flavorful experience.
The key to a great gyro is the assembly: warm, fluffy pita bread wrapped around spiced meat, cool crunchy veggies, and generous amounts of tangy tzatziki sauce. It is a vibrant, hands-on meal that tastes like summer on a plate, offering a perfect balance of protein, carbs, and fresh produce.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
The Marinade
The yogurt-based marinade is the secret weapon. Yogurt is acidic and contains enzymes that tenderize the chicken slowly, ensuring it stays incredibly moist even when seared at high heat. Combined with oregano, garlic, and lemon, it infuses the meat with authentic Greek flavors.
Customizable & Fun
Gyros are the perfect “build your own” dinner. Lay out the ingredients and let family members stuff their pitas as full as they dare. It makes dinner interactive and allows for easy customization for picky eaters.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs chicken thighs, boneless skinless
- 1 cup Greek yogurt (divided for marinade/sauce)
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 whole Greek pita breads
- 1 whole cucumber, grated and sliced
- 1 whole tomato, sliced
- 0.5 cup feta cheese
Instructions
- Mix 1/2 cup yogurt, lemon, oregano, and garlic. Marinate chicken for 30 mins.
- Make Tzatziki: Mix remaining yogurt with squeezed grated cucumber, dill, and garlic.
- Sear chicken in a skillet over medium-high heat until cooked. Rest and slice.
- Warm pitas in the pan.
- Assemble gyros with chicken, sauce, and veggies.
Ingredient Highlights & Substitutions
Essential Ingredients
Chicken Thighs: Boneless, skinless thighs are preferred for their moisture and flavor, but breasts work if marinated longer.
Greek Yogurt: Used in both the marinade (to tenderize) and the Tzatziki sauce.
Pita Bread: Look for “pocketless” Greek-style pitas which are thicker and softer than the thin pockets.
Fresh Veggies: Cucumber, tomato, and red onion are the classic trio.
Feta Cheese: Adds a salty, briny punch.
Smart Substitutions
You can swap chicken for lamb strips or even roasted chickpeas for a vegetarian option. If you are low-carb, ditch the pita and serve this as a “Gyro Salad” over a bed of Romaine lettuce—it’s equally delicious.
If you enjoy fresh Mediterranean flavors, you might also like these Sheet Pan Chicken Pitas (Note: similar concept, but this Gyro recipe focuses on the specific yogurt marinade technique).
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prep Phase
Marinade: In a bowl, whisk yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, oregano, and salt. Coat the chicken thoroughly and let sit for at least 30 minutes (or up to 4 hours).
Tzatziki: Grate cucumber and squeeze out all the water (crucial!). Mix with yogurt, garlic, lemon, and dill. Refrigerate.
Slice tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onions.
Cooking Phase
Heat a grill pan or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Remove chicken from marinade (shake off excess) and sear for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (165°F).
Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes, then slice into strips.
Warm the pitas in the same hot pan for 30 seconds to make them pliable.
Assembly: Spread tzatziki on the pita. Top with chicken, tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, and feta. Fold and enjoy.
Pro Tips for Perfect Results
Technique Secrets
Squeezing the Cucumber: For the tzatziki, if you don’t squeeze the water out of the grated cucumber, your sauce will separate and become watery soup. Use a clean kitchen towel to wring it out dry.
Resting the Meat: Slicing the chicken immediately after cooking will cause all the juices to run out. Let it rest so the juices redistribute.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Using fat-free yogurt for the marinade. The fat helps protect the chicken from drying out. Use 2% or whole milk Greek yogurt for best results.
| Component | Flavor Profile | Texture |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken | Savory/Herbal | Juicy/Charred |
| Tzatziki | Tangy/Garlicky | Creamy/Cool |
| Veggies | Fresh/Sweet | Crisp/Crunchy |
| Pita | Yeasty/Warm | Soft/Pillowy |
Serving Ideas & Pairings
Presentation & Plating
Wrap the bottom of the gyro in foil or parchment paper to hold it together and catch any drips.
Pairing Suggestions
Greek Lemon Potatoes or a simple Greek Salad are the standard accompaniments. Fries inside the gyro (Gyros pita style) are also traditional!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bake the chicken?
Yes, bake at 400°F for 20-25 minutes.
How long does Tzatziki last?
It stays good in the fridge for 3-4 days and actually tastes better the next day.
Conclusion
Mediterranean Chicken Gyros are a fresh, flavorful escape from the ordinary. With tender yogurt-marinated chicken and zesty sauce, they deliver a restaurant-quality experience right at your dining table.
