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!
Alissa says
Have you ever added feta cheese? I thought gyro’s typically had feta? Looking forward to making these!!
Nagi says
Hi Alissa, you could add feta if you like – feta is great on anything!
Cristie Dasher says
Love this recipe! Question: The original recipe called for 2 tsp of white wine vinegar in the Tzatziki. I’m just wondering why you took it out? Does it taste better that way? Ha ha
Nagi says
Hi Christie, I don’t find it needs it – this way is simpler ☺️
Steph says
This was absolutely delicious. I made it using a whole boneless chicken. Great recipe.
Nagi says
Great Steph!
Vicki small says
Can this be made with chicken breasts. Boneless skinless?
Anne M says
This recipe was amazingly delicious! We did use pre-made Tazakki Fromm costco but the chicken marinade was so good! Thank you!!
Nagi says
That’s awesome Anne, I’m so happy you enjoyed it!
Nat says
These were phenomenal! I made everything ahead of time while the chicken marinated and cut the avocado separately right before serving. Going to make these part of our meal rotation in our household.
Nagi says
That’s great to hear Nat!
Julian Dalton says
Can I make the Tzatziki And Salad ahead of time? How long do they keep?
Jessica says
Oh my, made this tonight and it was fantastic!!!! The chicken was exploding with flavor!
Nagi says
Woot!!! Thanks Jessica
Ellen says
I’m just wondering – could this be made with other types of meat? E.g lamb or beef? I’m keen to try a beef or lamb gyros to get some red meat into our diet ☺️ If so – would you recommend a particular cut of red meat? Thank you!
Nagi says
Hi Ellen, you could definitely do this week lamb or beef! – N x
Ellen says
Is there a particular cut of beef/lamb that you’d recommend? Thank you again ☺️
Jale Breidenstein says
I want to make this but husband isn’t thrilled with chicken thighs. Have you tried with boneless chicken breasts with good results?
Nagi says
Hi Jale, I prefer thighs here as they stay juicy. But you could definitely use breast if you wanted to – I’d cut them in half horizontally and then marinade – N x
Megan S. says
This is a fantastic recipe, thank you! Every time I make it I ask myself why I don’t make it more.
Nagi says
I ask myself the same thing 😂 Glad you love it as much as I do! N x
Cindi says
Fabulous, period
Nagi says
Thanks so much Cindi – N x
Laura says
I made this chicken and the tzatziki to go alongside your lemon rice and Greek salad recipe. The chicken was mouth watering, it’s going to be a regular in our house. Our guests loved everything, thanks Nagi.
Nagi says
Wahoo, I’m so glad you hear it Laura!
Heather says
Can’t wait to make this recipe. I’d recommend using sour cream instead of plain Greek yogurt. It tastes sour to me, while ironically sour cream is more of a refreshing taste and makes better tzatziki.
Nagi says
Hi Heather, traditionally Tzatziki is made with natural yogurt as you want that tang – but if you prefer to use sour cream you definitely could! – N x
Alina says
Hi Nagi! I discovered this recipe last summer and I instantly fell in love with your website. Since then I tried many of your recipes and everything is so good… and my cooking improved so much. Actually cooking became my new hobby and my husband loves everything that I am cooking. Today we had a party for my daughter’s birthday and we prepared this amazing Greek chicken with tzatziki and it was a huge success. Everybody loved loved loved it .
I want to give you a big thank you for this particular recipe but also for all the amazing, great, fantastic recipes that you are shareing every week!
Nagi says
I’m so glad it was a hit Alina, thanks so much for the awesome feedback ❤️
Alina says
Hi Nagi! I discovered this recipe last summer and I instantly fell in love with your website. Since then I tried many of your recipes and everything is so good… and my cooking improved so much. Actually cooking became my new hobby and my husband loves everything that I am cooking. Today we had a party for my daughter’s birthday and we prepared this amazing Greek chicken with tzatziki and it was a huge success. Everybody loved loved lovef it .
I want to give you a big thank you for this particular recipe but also for all the amazing, great, fantastic recipes that you are shareing every week!
Sarah says
Hi Nagi, could I make the Tzatziki the day before? Would it hold up and still be delicious the next day?
Nagi says
Yes definitely!!
Shenika Sharpe says
This was amazing! And the sauce…My 3 year old was hooked. You know its good when a picky toddler eats it! Thank you so much for sharing!
Kristin says
I could eat this every week, maybe more often! I love these flavors, and the marinade was amazing. I only needed one cucumber for the tzatziki (US cucumbers are huge) and we didn’t make the salad because we were in a rush this time, just added chopped tomatoes. Yum, yum, yummy!
Nagi says
I hear ya! I love this recipe too 😂
Kira says
These look AMAZING! Is there anything I could sub the yoghurt with (I’m lactose intolerant)? Would plain coconut yoghurt work perhaps? Thanks!
Nagi says
Hi Kira, what about lactose free yogurt? I haven’t tried with coconut yogurt but would love to know if it works!
Lee says
Hi I wanted to make this on a charcoal rotisserie using pork shoulder, would you still use the yoghurt in the marinade with pork?
Love your website btw! So many great recipes.