Authentic Greek Chicken Gyros Recipe
Oh my goodness, I’ve been perfecting this Greek chicken gyros recipe for YEARS, and I’m so excited to finally share it with you all! Every time I make these for friends and family, they absolutely rave about them and beg for the recipe. There’s something magical about the combination of juicy, herb-marinated chicken, warm fluffy pita, and that cooling tzatziki sauce that just makes my taste buds dance!
Trust me when I say this recipe will become your new weeknight favorite. I’ve made it probably a hundred times, tweaking little things here and there until it’s absolutely perfect. The best part? It’s actually super simple to make but tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 5 hours 35 minutes
Ingredients
For the Chicken Marinade:
- 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced (I usually add an extra clove because I’m a garlic lover!)
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1½ teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon ground coriander (my special addition!)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Pinch of cinnamon (optional but amazing)
For the Tzatziki Sauce:
- 1½ cups full-fat Greek yogurt
- 1 medium cucumber, seeded and finely grated
- 2 cloves garlic, grated or very finely minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
For Assembly:
- 4–6 pita breads or flatbreads
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 2 medium tomatoes, diced
- 1 red onion, thinly sliced
- ½ cup kalamata olives, pitted and halved (optional)
- ¼ cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional but highly recommended!)
- Fresh parsley or mint, chopped (for garnish)
- Lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions
Start by making the marinade! In a bowl, mix together the olive oil, minced garlic, dried oregano, smoked paprika, ground cumin, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Once everything is well combined, add the chicken thighs to the bowl and make sure they are well-coated with the marinade. Cover the bowl and pop it in the refrigerator. Let it marinate for at least 1 hour, but if you have more time, overnight is even better!
When you’re ready to cook, preheat your grill or skillet over medium-high heat. Take the marinated chicken out of the refrigerator and grill it for about 6-7 minutes on each side. You’re looking for it to be fully cooked and nicely charred. Once cooked, take the chicken out and let it rest for about 5 minutes before slicing it into thin strips.
While the chicken is resting, let’s make the Tzatziki sauce! In a clean bowl, combine the plain Greek yogurt, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt. Now, take your diced cucumber, squeeze out any excess moisture, and mix it in. Stir until it’s smooth and set aside until you’re ready to assemble.
To put it all together, warm the pita bread in a dry skillet or on the grill for just a few seconds to make it more pliable. Start layering with a generous amount of sliced chicken, followed by the diced cucumber, tomatoes, and red onion. Drizzle the Tzatziki sauce over everything and sprinkle with fresh parsley for a bit of color.
Now, wrap the pita around your delicious filling and enjoy right away! These gyros are perfect served with your favorite sides or a fresh salad. Enjoy your homemade Greek Chicken Gyros!