Indulge in the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean with these homemade Greek Chicken Gyros. Featuring super juicy, perfectly marinated chicken and a refreshingly creamy homemade tzatziki sauce, these gyros offer a delightful escape to sun-drenched shores. They are the ultimate light yet satisfying meal, ideal for cooling you down and filling you up, especially during warm summer days.
Authentic Greek Chicken Gyros with Homemade Tzatziki Sauce
Experience the culinary magic of Greece right in your own kitchen with our authentic Greek Chicken Gyros recipe. This dish isn’t just a meal; it’s a celebration of fresh ingredients, bold spices, and a heritage of delicious, wholesome cooking. Forget heavy, greasy takeout – our homemade version is a revelation, designed to be both incredibly flavorful and wonderfully light. Inspired by the irresistible tastes of a beloved local eatery, we’ve cracked the code to deeply flavorful chicken and a tzatziki sauce that will transport your taste buds straight to the Aegean.
Why You’ll Adore This Homemade Chicken Gyro Recipe
There’s a special satisfaction that comes with creating a restaurant-quality meal at home, and these Chicken Gyros are no exception. The depth of flavor in the chicken, achieved through a meticulously crafted marinade, is truly extraordinary. Don’t be deterred by the list of ingredients; most of them are dedicated to this marinade, which is the heart and soul of the recipe. Trust us, every ingredient plays a vital role in building a complex flavor profile that makes these gyros utterly irresistible.
Beyond their incredible taste, these gyros are a fantastic choice for any season, but they truly shine as a light and refreshing summertime meal. They provide a fulfilling experience without leaving you feeling weighed down, making them perfect for picnics, barbecues, or a casual weeknight dinner. What’s more, opting for boneless, skinless chicken breasts ensures a lean protein source, while the Greek yogurt-based tzatziki cuts down on unhealthy fats often found in other creamy dressings. This thoughtful combination makes our Greek Chicken Gyros a truly wholesome and delightful culinary experience.
The Secret to Irresistible Chicken Gyros: A Flavorful Marinade
The hallmark of an exceptional chicken gyro lies undoubtedly in its marinade. This recipe features a vibrant blend of Mediterranean staples that infuse the chicken with an unparalleled taste. Garlic provides a pungent base, while apple cider vinegar and fresh lemon juice tenderize the meat and add a crucial tangy brightness. Olive oil ensures moisture and helps carry the fat-soluble flavors. The inclusion of full-fat Greek yogurt not only adds creaminess and a subtle tang but also helps in tenderizing the chicken, ensuring it remains incredibly juicy during cooking. A generous mix of oregano, cumin, and paprika brings warm, earthy, and slightly smoky notes, essential to Greek cuisine. Finally, a dash of salt, pepper, seasoned salt, and Greek seasoning rounds out this powerhouse marinade, making every bite of chicken bursting with authentic flavor.
This marinade isn’t just about taste; it’s about texture. The acidity from the vinegar and lemon juice, combined with the enzymes in the yogurt, works wonders in breaking down the chicken fibers, resulting in incredibly tender meat. Allowing the chicken to marinate for at least two hours ensures these flavors deeply penetrate, creating a truly unforgettable gyro experience.
Mastering the Art of Tzatziki Sauce
No Greek gyro is complete without a generous dollop of creamy, refreshing tzatziki sauce. This cooling cucumber and yogurt dip acts as the perfect counterpoint to the savory, spiced chicken. Our tzatziki recipe calls for full-fat plain Greek yogurt, which provides a rich, thick base without the extra fat of sour cream. The key to a truly outstanding tzatziki lies in the cucumber preparation.
Using English cucumbers is preferred due to their thin skin and fewer seeds, meaning less prep work. However, garden cucumbers can also be used with a bit more effort. Regardless of the type, thoroughly draining the grated cucumber is critical. This step prevents the sauce from becoming watery over time, ensuring a consistently thick and luxurious texture. Fresh dill adds a bright, herbaceous note that is synonymous with Greek flavors, while a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and a touch of olive oil enhance its tang and smoothness. A pinch of salt balances the flavors, creating a harmonious and utterly addictive sauce that you’re sure to use on more than just gyros.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chicken Gyros
A chicken gyro is a popular Greek dish consisting of seasoned and cooked chicken, typically served wrapped in a warm pita bread or flatbread. It’s often garnished with fresh toppings like sliced red onion, diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, and, most importantly, a generous dollop of creamy tzatziki sauce, a traditional Greek cucumber-yogurt sauce. It offers a delicious and balanced meal with a delightful blend of textures and flavors.
In Greek, the word “gyro” (pronounced YEE-roh) literally means “round” or “to turn.” This refers to the traditional method of cooking the meat, which is typically stacked on a vertical rotisserie and slowly roasted, turning continuously as it cooks.
Yes, chicken gyros can be a very healthy meal, especially when prepared at home with fresh ingredients. Our recipe uses lean chicken breasts, which are high in protein and low in fat. We also opt for Greek yogurt in our tzatziki sauce instead of sour cream, further reducing fat content. Pita bread provides carbohydrates, and you can load up on fresh vegetables for added fiber and vitamins. For an even lighter option, simply omit the pita and serve the chicken and toppings as a refreshing Greek salad.
Traditionally, gyros are made with lamb, beef, or a combination of the two, often mixed with pork. The meat is seasoned, stacked in layers on a large vertical skewer, and roasted slowly as it rotates. Thin slices are shaved off as it cooks, resulting in tender, flavorful pieces. While chicken gyros are very popular today, they are a more modern adaptation of the classic Greek street food.
Absolutely! Grilling the chicken is an excellent alternative to pan-frying and can impart a wonderful smoky flavor to your gyros. After marinating, simply place the chicken breasts on a preheated grill over medium heat. Grill for approximately 5-7 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). This ensures the chicken is fully cooked and safe to eat while maintaining its juiciness.
While English cucumbers are often preferred for tzatziki due to their thin skin, minimal seeds, and lower water content, you can certainly use a standard garden cucumber. If using a garden cucumber, make sure to peel it first, then slice it lengthwise to scoop out any large seeds. After grating, it’s even more crucial to drain garden cucumbers thoroughly using a cheesecloth or paper towels to remove excess water, which can otherwise make your tzatziki watery and dilute its flavor.
Our homemade tzatziki sauce is incredibly versatile and delicious on its own! It makes an excellent dip for warm pita bread, vegetable sticks, or even potato chips. You can also use it as a creamy topping for grilled meats like kebabs, a tangy spread for sandwiches, or thin it slightly with a touch of milk or water to create a refreshing salad dressing. It’s a staple for good reason!
For the best quality, it’s recommended to consume assembled gyros immediately. However, you can store the components separately. Marinated and cooked chicken can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The homemade tzatziki sauce will also last in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5-7 days. We do not recommend freezing tzatziki sauce, as its dairy base can separate and alter the texture upon thawing.
Essential Ingredients for Your Greek Chicken Gyros
Gathering high-quality ingredients is the first step to creating truly sensational homemade Greek Chicken Gyros. Freshness, especially for the herbs and produce, makes all the difference in the final flavor profile.
Chicken Marinade & Gyro Assembly Ingredients:
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: The lean protein base for our gyros.
- Fresh Garlic: Minced, for a pungent aromatic foundation in the marinade.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Adds tang and helps tenderize the chicken.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: Brightens the flavors and aids in tenderization.
- Olive Oil: Carries flavors and keeps the chicken moist.
- Full-Fat Plain Greek Yogurt: Adds creaminess, tang, and aids in tenderizing the chicken.
- Dried Oregano: A quintessential Greek herb, providing earthy, aromatic notes.
- Ground Cumin: Adds a warm, slightly spicy, and distinctive flavor.
- Smoked Paprika: Contributes a beautiful color and a mild, smoky sweetness.
- Salt and Black Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance all flavors.
- Seasoned Salt (e.g., Lawry’s): For an extra layer of savory depth.
- Greek Seasoning (e.g., Cavender’s): A specific blend of Mediterranean spices for authentic taste.
- Pita Wraps: Soft, warm bread for assembling your gyros.
- Optional Garnishes: Sliced red onion, sliced grape tomatoes, shredded lettuce (for freshness and crunch).
Homemade Tzatziki Sauce Ingredients:
- Full-Fat Plain Greek Yogurt: The creamy base for a rich and tangy sauce.
- English Cucumber: Grated and thoroughly drained, providing a refreshing coolness.
- Fresh Dill: Chopped, for its signature herbaceous and slightly anise-like flavor.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: Adds a zesty brightness to the sauce.
- Olive Oil: Contributes to a smooth texture and rich mouthfeel.
- Salt: To season and balance the flavors in the tzatziki.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Craft Your Own Greek Chicken Gyros
Follow these detailed steps to create delicious Greek Chicken Gyros that rival any restaurant version. The process is straightforward, ensuring fantastic results every time.
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Begin by placing the boneless, skinless chicken breasts on a cutting board. Using a meat mallet or a heavy rolling pin, pound the chicken flat to an even thickness of about ¼ inch. This ensures even cooking and helps the marinade penetrate more effectively, yielding tender and flavorful results.
Step 2: Mix the Flavorful Marinade
In a medium-sized bowl, combine all the marinade ingredients: minced garlic, apple cider vinegar, fresh lemon juice, olive oil, full-fat Greek yogurt, oregano, cumin, paprika, salt, black pepper, seasoned salt, and Greek seasoning. Whisk everything together thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated and the mixture is smooth and fragrant.
Step 3: Marinate for Maximum Flavor
Carefully pour the prepared marinade into a large, sturdy resealable plastic bag. Add the pounded chicken breasts to the bag, ensuring they are fully submerged. Press out any excess air and seal the bag. Gently massage the bag to coat every piece of chicken evenly with the marinade. Place the bag in the refrigerator to marinate for at least 2 hours, or ideally up to 48 hours, for optimal flavor infusion and tenderness.
Step 4: Begin Your Homemade Tzatziki Sauce
While the chicken is marinating, prepare the cooling tzatziki sauce. Using the large holes of a box grater, grate the English cucumber. There’s no need to peel English cucumbers as their skin is thin and tender. If using a garden cucumber, remember to peel and deseed it first.
Step 5: Drain the Cucumber Properly
This step is crucial for thick, non-watery tzatziki. Place the grated cucumber into a cheesecloth or several layers of paper towels. Over a bowl, firmly squeeze out all the excess liquid from the cucumber. You’ll be surprised how much water comes out! The drier the cucumber, the richer and creamier your tzatziki will be, preventing it from thinning out over time.
Step 6: Combine Tzatziki Ingredients
In a clean medium bowl, add the remaining tzatziki ingredients: the full-fat Greek yogurt, the grated and thoroughly drained cucumber, fresh chopped dill, fresh lemon juice, olive oil, and a pinch of salt. Ensure your dill is fresh for the best aromatic qualities.
Step 7: Blend and Rest the Tzatziki
Using a spoon or spatula, mix all the tzatziki ingredients until they are perfectly combined and smooth. Alternatively, for an even smoother sauce, you could pulse them together briefly in a food processor. Once mixed, allow the tzatziki sauce to sit for at least 5 minutes, or ideally 30 minutes in the refrigerator, to allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
Step 8: Cook the Marinated Chicken to Perfection
Once the chicken has finished marinating, remove it from the bag (discard the used marinade). Heat a large skillet with a tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Place the chicken into the hot skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes on the first side to achieve a beautiful sear, then flip and continue cooking until the chicken is fully cooked through. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches at least 165°F (74°C).
Step 9: Rest and Slice the Chicken
Once cooked, transfer the chicken breasts to a clean cutting board. Allow the chicken to rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing it into thin strips. Resting the meat is essential as it allows the juices to redistribute throughout the chicken, ensuring every bite is moist and tender.
Step 10: Assemble Your Delicious Chicken Gyros
Warm your pita bread or flatbreads according to package instructions – a quick warm-up in a dry skillet, microwave, or oven makes them soft and pliable. Lay out each warm pita. Fill generously with the sliced marinated chicken, fresh shredded lettuce, sliced red onion, diced grape tomatoes, and a generous drizzle of your homemade tzatziki sauce. Fold the pita over, or wrap it up, and serve immediately for the freshest, most flavorful experience!
Tips for the Best Homemade Chicken Gyros
Achieving perfectly tender and flavorful Greek Chicken Gyros is simple with a few key tips:
- Pound the Chicken Evenly: Don’t skip flattening the chicken breasts. This ensures even cooking, prevents dry spots, and allows the marinade to tenderize the meat uniformly.
- Marination is Key: While 2 hours is the minimum, aim for longer if possible (up to 48 hours). The longer the chicken marinates, the more tender and flavorful it will become. However, avoid over-marinating due to the acidity of lemon juice and vinegar.
- Drain Your Cucumber Thoroughly: This cannot be stressed enough for the tzatziki. Excess water from the cucumber will dilute your sauce and make it thin. Squeeze it out until it’s as dry as possible.
- Fresh Herbs Make a Difference: Use fresh dill for your tzatziki. Its vibrant flavor is superior to dried dill and is crucial for authentic taste.
- Don’t Overcook the Chicken: Chicken breasts can dry out quickly. Cook them just until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). A meat thermometer is your best friend here.
- Rest the Meat: After cooking, always allow the chicken to rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in more tender and moist chicken.
- Warm Your Pitas: A warm, soft pita is essential for a great gyro. Briefly warming them in a skillet, microwave, or oven makes them pliable and more enjoyable to eat.
Serving Suggestions and Variations
These Greek Chicken Gyros are a complete meal on their own, but they also pair wonderfully with a variety of side dishes. Consider serving them alongside a simple Greek salad, a bowl of homemade hummus with extra pita, or some roasted lemon potatoes for a truly authentic experience. For those looking to mix things up, here are a few variations:
- Gyro Salad Bowl: Skip the pita entirely and serve the marinated chicken and fresh toppings over a bed of crisp mixed greens for a lighter, low-carb option.
- Different Proteins: While chicken is fantastic, feel free to experiment with thinly sliced pork tenderloin or even a firm white fish, adjusting cooking times as needed.
- Veggie Gyros: Marinate thick slices of portobello mushrooms, zucchini, and bell peppers for a delicious vegetarian version.
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the chicken marinade or a dash of hot sauce to your tzatziki for a bit of heat.
Craving More Greek-Inspired Delights?
If you’ve fallen in love with the fresh, vibrant flavors of these Greek Chicken Gyros, you’ll surely enjoy exploring more recipes from Mediterranean cuisine. Here are some delicious ideas to continue your culinary journey:
- Greek Layered Dip (+Video)
- Sheet Pan Greek Chicken Meal
- Greek Yogurt Dill Potato Salad
- Creamy Cucumber Salad (+Video)
Greek Chicken Gyros
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10 minutes
10 minutes
2 hours
2 hours 20 minutes
4
Brandie Skibinski
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup full-fat plain Greek yogurt
- 2 teaspoons oregano
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon seasoning salt (I used Lawry’s)
- 1 teaspoon Greek seasoning ( I used Cavender’s)
- 4 pita wraps
- Optional garnishes: sliced red onion, sliced grape tomatoes, shredded lettuce
Tzatziki Sauce:
- 1 cup full fat plain Greek yogurt
- 1 cup English cucumber, grated and drained
- 2 Tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
- 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Pound the chicken flat, to about ¼ inch thickness.
- Place all of the marinade ingredients: garlic, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, olive oil, Greek yogurt, oregano, cumin, paprika, salt, pepper, seasoned salt and Greek seasoning into a bowl and combine.
- Pour the marinade into a large ziploc bag. Place the chicken into the bag with the marinade and squish everything around to cover every bit of the chicken. Place this into the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
- While this is marinating, make the tzatziki sauce. Grate the cucumber using the large holes of a box grater. There is no need to peel the cucumber.
- Place the grated cucumber into a cheese cloth or paper towels and squeeze to thoroughly drain all of the excess water from the cucumber. (This is important because if there is too much liquid, it will water down the sauce over time.)
- Add all the ingredients in a medium bowl: Greek yogurt, grated and drained cucumber, fresh dill, fresh lemon juice, olive oil, and salt.
- Mix everything until combined.
- Let this sit for at least 5 minutes to allow the flavors to blend.
- When the chicken is finished marinating, remove it from the marinade (discard the marinade) and place it into a large skillet (or on the grill) with a tablespoon of oil. Turn the heat to medium and cook the chicken for 3-4 minutes on one side (searing the chicken as it cooks), then flip and continue cooking until fully cooked through (internal temperature should be at least 165F degrees.)
- Place the cooked chicken on a cutting board and allow it to rest for at least 5 minutes before cutting it into strips.
- Prepare pita bread (or flatbread) by warming it. Then fill each pita with chicken, shredded lettuce, sliced onion, diced tomatoes and drizzle with some tzatziki sauce. Fold and serve!
Notes
- Nutritional value does not include the optional toppings besides sauce.
- You can grill the chicken if you’d like.
- Make sure you flatten your chicken before marinating.
- This should marinate for at least 2 hours but no longer than 48.
- You can make this into a salad instead of a wrap.
Main Course
American, Greek
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 39g |
Protein: 58g |
Fat: 25g |
Sodium: 2047mg |
Fiber: 2g |
Sugar: 4g
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.