Chicken Gyro with Tzatziki Sauce

By Kris Longwell -

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If you’re looking for an incredibly delicious and festive dish to serve to guests, friends, or just your family…this is the one for you.

Greek food is loaded with flavor and history and these babies are about as good as they come. You can easily double or triple the recipe and set up a fun gyro bar for parties and gatherings. Most of the components, including the Homemade Tzatziki Sauce, can be made up to a day in advance making preparation quick and easy!

Two chicken gyros wrapped in foil on a white platter next to a small jar filled with tzatziki sauce with a spoon in, with a whole tomato and parsley in the background.

HOW TO MAKE CHICKEN GRYO WITH TZATZIKI SAUCE

Making a homemade gyro is really much easier than you might think.

No, we won’t be using a huge spiral spit with chicken (or lamb) attached to like you often see in Greek restaurants around the world.

We’ll be marinating amazing chicken, creating an incredible cucumber salad, and infusing amazing flavor to beautiful pita bread. And of course, making delicious tzatziki sauce from scratch.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT CHICKEN

For our chicken gyro, we love going boneless, skinless chicken thighs. The dark meat is flavorful and very tender. But, you can go with chicken breasts, too, you’ll just need to increase the cooking time to reach 165°F internal temperature.

We create a marinade that is loaded Greek goodness including Greek yogurt, garlic, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, and herbs.

EXPERT TIP: After tossing the chicken with the marinade and fully coating the pieces, we like to transfer it all into a large freezer bag. Squeeze the air out and then seal the bag. Use your hands to massage the marinade all over into the meat. Place in the fridge from 1 hour to 8 hours. This gives you more room in your fridge, and it also ensures every bit of the chicken pieces is covered with the marinade.

3 stacked images with the top being gyro marinade being poured over chicken in a bowl, the 2nd two wooden spoons tossing the chicken in the marinade, the 3rd the chicken being pressed in a large freezer bag.

Cucumbers are very common in Greek cuisine and are and an essential ingredient for a classic gyro.

Toss the cucumbers with some chopped tomatoes, red onion, parsley, red wine vinegar, salt, and pepper. Chill in the fridge while you’re preparing the remainder of the gyros.

This salad is so good, you’ll be tempted to eat it all up before you prepare the chicken. But wait. You’ll be glad you did.

A large glass bowl filled with a cucumber and tomato salad with a large wooden spoon in it.

HOMEMADE TZATZIKI SAUCE IS EASY TO MAKE

If there is one component of chicken gyro that you don’t want to skip, it’s the homemade tzatziki sauce.

All you have to do is shred some cucumber with a box grater, toss in the remaining ingredients, chill, and you got the best tasting tzatziki sauce you’ve ever tried.

EXPERT TIP: It’s important to remove the excess water from the cucumbers for the tzatziki sauce, otherwise the result will be too thin of a sauce. We squeeze the shredded (or finely chopped) cucumber wrapped in cheesecloth over a bowl or sink. If you don’t have cheesecloth, you can also use a kitchen towel or coffee filter, or just your hands to do the job.

2 stacked images with the top a peeled cucumber being shredded on a box grater and the bottom a glass bowl filled with tzatziki sauce and a whisk.

GRILLING THE CHICKEN IS IDEAL

Now, it’s time to grill the marinated chicken!

We fire our grill up to medium-hot and grill over direct heat until completely cooked, about 6 to 10 minutes per side.

EXPERT TIP: You can also cook the chicken in a skillet or bake in the oven. If using a skillet, add a little olive oil to the hot skillet and then cook until nicely browned and juices run clear. If baking, add to a rack on a baking sheet and cook at 400°F for 35 to 40 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer reaches 165°F. But, if you can…grill the chicken! It gives a beautiful smokey, charred chicken that is fantastic.

A close up view of seasoned, cooked chicken thighs on hot grill.

INFUSED OIL ADDS DEPTH OF FLAVOR TO CHICKEN GYRO

This next step isn’t 100% necessary, but we feel it puts these homemade chicken gyros over-the-top in flavor.

Simply heat ¼ cup of olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat, toss in a couple of minced cloves of garlic, along with some dried oregano, rosemary, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.

EXPERT TIP: For maximum flavor, brush the infused oil over one side of the pitas and then place them in the oven on a baking sheet in a warm oven until heated through. After you have cut the grilled chicken into strips, brush some of the infused oil all over the chicken. Again, the chicken gyros will be delicious if you skip this step, but if you don’t they’ll be even better!

3 stacked images with the top being a small skillet filled with oil, minced garlic, and dried herbs with a wooden spoon stirring it, the 2nd are two pitas on a foil-lined baking sheet being brushed with oil, the 3rd the same two pitas after they have been heated in the oven.

Bring on the added flavor with garlic and herb-infused oil.

This chicken is so flavorful it is insane.

A hand brushing infused oil over grilled chicken thighs on a wooden cutting board.

PERFECT FOR ENTERTAINING

This is the perfect recipe for serving at parties or family gatherings.

Place all the various components out and let everyone make their own chicken gyro!

EXPERT TIP: Have squares of aluminum foil on hand so folks can use them to hold their gyros together. And be sure to have plenty of napkins!

A hand using a small spoon to drizzle homemade tzatziki sauce over the end of a chicken gyro that is sitting next to a small jar of the sauce on a white platter.

One of our most cherished culinary memories from living in New York City was getting amazing chicken (or lamb) gyros from a hole-in-the-wall Greek restaurant mid-town.

It took several years of experimenting to finally get a recipe that comes very, very close to those incredible gyros in the Big Apple.

These are so good, you’ll be so excited that you can make amazing Greek gyros in your own home.

A hand holding a folded chicken gyro with tzatziki sauce inside.

Ready to make the best chicken Gyros this side of the Greek Islands? Go for it!

And when you do, be sure to take a photo of it, post it on Instagram, and tag @howtofeedaloon and hashtag #howtofeedaloon.

Two chicken gyros wrapped in foil on a white platter next to a small jar filled with tzatziki sauce with a spoon in, with a whole tomato and parsley in the background.

Chicken Gyro with Tzatziki Sauce

This Chicken Gyro with Tzatziki Sauce packs so much flavor into your lunch, you just won't believe it. You can make the cucumber topping a day ahead and letting the chicken marinate overnight produces amazing flavor. Be sure to make the homemade Tzatziki Sauce, it's easy, and the best!
4.96 from 25 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: lunch
Cuisine: Greek
Keyword: chicken gyro from scratch, easy gyro recipe, Greek chicken, homemade tzatziki sauce
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Marinating Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 359kcal
Author: Kris Longwell

Equipment

  • Gas or electric grill (can also use stovetop or oven)
  • Aluminum foil squares, for serving

Ingredients

FOR THE MARINATED CHICKEN

  • 1¼ lbs chicken thighs boneless, skinless
  • ½ tsp Kosher salt plus more for seasoning chicken
  • ¼ tsp black pepper freshly ground
  • ¼ cup Greek yogurt plain, preferably whole milk
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice 1 lemon
  • 2 tsp red wine vinegar
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp coriander ground
  • 1 tbsp dried oregano

FOR THE CUCUMBER SALAD

  • 1 cucumber peeled, seeded, and cut into ¼-inch pieces
  • ¾ cup tomatoes chopped
  • 1 small red onion chopped
  • ¼ cup flat-leaf parsley chopped
  • 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • ¼ tsp Kosher salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper freshly ground

FOR THE INFUSED OIL

  • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp oregano dried
  • 1 tsp rosemary dried
  • 1 pinch Kosher salt
  • 1 pinch black pepper freshly ground

FOR ASSEMBLY

Instructions

MARINATE THE CHICKEN

  • Lightly season the chicken pieces all over with salt and pepper.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the yogurt, garlic, vinegar, lemon juice, oil, salt, pepper, and seasonings until fully combined.
  • Place the chicken in a large bowl and pour the marinade all over. Use wooden spoons to stir the chicken around until fully coated with the marinade. Either cover with plastic wrap, or transfer to a large freezer bag, seal, and place in the refrigerator for 1 to 8 hours.

MAKE THE CUCUMBER SALAD

  • Place the cucumber, tomatoes, onion, parsley, vinegar, salt, and pepper in a medium-sized bowl. Gently mix. Set aside.

MAKE THE INFUSED OIL

  • Heat the olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the minced garlic, herbs, salt, and pepper. Gently simmer for 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

COOK THE CHICKEN AND ASSEMBLE THE GYROS

  • Heat grill to medium-high heat. Add chicken to grill and cook until fully cooked (about 15 minutes). Discard left-over marinade.
  • Bring the chicken inside and let sit for a couple of minutes. Meanwhile, turn your broiler on LOW. Place the pitas on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil and brush the tops with the infused oil. Place in the oven, on the middle rack, until the pitas are warmed through, a couple of minutes. Keep an eye on them, don't let them burn!
  • Meanwhile, cut the chicken into strips and brush the infused oil all over the chicken.
  • Remove the warmed pitas from the oven. Build the gyros by adding about 1 tbsp of the tzatziki sauce first, then a layer of chicken, topped with about a ¼ cup of cucumber topping, and then a little more tzatziki on top, if desired.
  • Fold up like the sides like a soft taco, wrap the ends with a square of aluminum foil, and serve immediately.

Video

Notes

Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work well for this recipe, but you could also go with thin chicken breasts.  Just make sure they are cooked through until juices run clear and internal temperature reaches 165°F. 
We love using whole milk Greek plain yogurt, but you could certainly use low-fat, or fat-free, but the marinade won't adhere to the chicken as well. 
The infused oil is optional, but it's really easy to make and makes a big difference in the final taste of the gyros. 
The tzatziki sauce, marinade, cucumber salad, and infused oil can all be made up to 12 hours before grilling the chicken.  Don't let the chicken sit in the marinade for more than 8 to 10 hours.
This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for serving a crowd.  
The tzatziki sauce will keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, the cooked chicken and cucumber salad will keep for several days.  

Nutrition

Calories: 359kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 93mg | Sodium: 379mg | Potassium: 372mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 640IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 43mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe? Take a Picture!Mention @HowToFeedALoon or tag #HowToFeedALoon!

 

64 Comments

  • 5 stars
    So good!! We made the chicken, salad, and sauce following the recipe exactly and loved all of it! Going into my box of favorites, thank you so much! You have a new fan.

    Reply

    • Hi Brooke!! You have no idea how happy this makes us!! We are THRILLED you made all the components to the chicken gyro and had such great success!! That is just awesome!!! And thank you so much for letting us know and for the great review!! So excited! Stay in touch!! All the best, Kris & Wesley

      Reply

  • 5 stars
    Delicious!! The infused olive oil really adds something special that I haven’t seen in other chicken gyro recipes. The chicken was SO flavorful. Definitely a keeper!

    Reply

  • 5 stars
    My husband loved it!! Pictures? We devoured every bit of the meal before photos. I followed the recipe and did not alter. The flavors are out of this world and do not disappoint! Definitely a keeper!

    Reply

    • Hi Madelyn!!! Yay!! We are THRILLED you and your husband love our chicken gyro recipe!! And thank you so much for letting us know and for the GREAT review! Truly means the world to us!! Stay in touch!! All the very best, Kris & Wesley

      Reply

  • 5 stars
    Hi! I noticed that when you made the marinade in the video you said to use 2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar, but on the recipe it says use 2 teaspoons. I was wondering which one is correct? This recipe looks awesome, and I can’t wait to try it!

    Reply

    • Hi Rebekah! So sorry about that!! Really either amount will work, but we love the tang of the vinegar, so 2 tbsp we think is best. We’ll update that recipe to reflect that. Thanks SO MUCH for the heads up on that!! Let us know if you make the gyros and what you think!! We hope you love them as much as we do!! xoxo Kris & Wesley

      Reply

  • 5 stars
    Was searching for a Gyro recipe and found you guys. Where have you been all my life!? Omg these were fabulous, just like the two of you. Love your videos! Thank you so much! Gotta go…more recipes to pin! 🙂

    Reply

  • 5 stars
    I made these gyros tonight for my family and we all loved it! I still have fresh parsley and baby dill in my garden, so this was a perfect use for some of it. I will definitely make this again. Thank you!

    Reply

    • Hi Sharon!! Awesome!! Fresh parsley and dill in your garden make us jealous!! LOL!! We are thrilled you and your family enjoyed our chicken gyro recipe! It’s definitely one of our all-time favorites! And thank you so much for letting us know and for the great review. That means the world to us!! All the best, Kris & Wesley

      Reply

  • Hello!

    Sorry, I just realized I replied in the wrong spot! I have made several of your recipes and this one looks like another winner! I am planning on making this on Sunday for my family! Any suggestions as to what kind of a side to serve along with this dish?!

    Thank you so much!!

    Sonja

    Reply

  • 5 stars
    My husband and I loved every bit of this recipe! Thanks so much for sharing! I always use chicken breast but the thighs made such a huge difference.

    Reply

    • Hi Kelly!! Woo hoo!! So so so glad to hear that you and your hubby love the gyro recipe!! Thank you SO MUCH for letting us know and for the fabulous review! That means the world to us!!! All the best, Kris & Wesley

      Reply

    • Hi! I have made several of your recipes and this one looks like another winner! I am planning on making this on Sunday for my family! Any suggestions as to what kind of a side to serve along with this dish?!

      Thank you so much!!

      Sonja

      Reply

      • Hi Sonja! So sorry for the delayed response!! I nice salad with feta would be wonderful! Also, the cucumber and tomato salad makes enough, we love having a side of it with the gyro, too. We have a Greek salad (with steak) on the blog which is nice. You could do it without the steak. Check it out for inspiration! Let us know how it turns out!! Best, Kris & Wesley

  • 5 stars
    OMG, you guys are the bomb! I am a meh when it comes to greek stuff (husband loves greek), I think that greek is not real flavorful and a little too lemony. Made this recipe last night, and you two have made me a believer….of How to Feed a Loon! GREAT RECIPE and will be making again….
    PS: Your crab cakes are awesome as well!!!!!!! Keep up the great recipes!

    Reply

    • Hi Wendi!! Woo hoo!!! We are over-the-moon happy that you and your hubby loved our chicken gyros!! We made a believer!!! Our mission is accomplished!! LOL!! Thank you so much for letting us, and for the great review…that means the world to us!!!! And glad you loved the crab cakes, too! That has been a favorite of ours for years!!! xoxoxo Kris & Wesley

      Reply

  • 5 stars
    Delicious and fun to make! I did add feta however. I just can’t do a sambo of sorts or wrap of sorts without cheese. What great flavor, so juicy and yummy. I’ll be making these all summer long!

    Reply

    • Hi Lonnie!! YUM!! Next time we make these we’ll definitely add some feta. That sounds PERFECT! So glad you enjoyed the gyros, and of course, we so appreciate you letting us know and the great review!! All the best, Kris & Wesley

      Reply

  • 5 stars
    This is AMAZING !! I have been searching for a good greek recipe and this is IT !!!! the Tzatziki is sooooooo amazing! And I really do mean that because I have been trying many different recipes online. I also have to say that I love How to Feed A Loon! You guys are AWESOME! I have watched all the youtube videos and explored almost every recipe on this site and I have NEVER been disappointed. Cooking your recipes has brought me so much joy, especially after experiencing many losses and cancelled opportunities during COVID-19. Thank you for bringing me joy during this challenging time! I look up to the skill and detail you both have and aspire to be as talented as you both!

    Reply

    • Hi Sami!! Sorry for the delayed response here! You have NO IDEA how happy your comment has made us! Thank you SO MUCH and we are so glad you enjoyed the gyro and Tzatziki sauce!! It is without a doubt one of our all-time favs! Thank you so much for your kind words and for reaching out to us. That means the world to us!! Please stay in touch!!! All the very best, Kris & Wesley

      Reply

    • Hi AJ! That is so awesome to hear!! We love these gyros so much and we are so very happy that you loved them, too!! Sending lots of love back to you, too!! Thanks for letting us know and for the wonderful review. That means the world to us!! All the best, Kris & Wesley

      Reply

  • Going to make this tonight it looks SO good! But a tip – save the second bowl and just put the seasoned chicken in the zip lock bag and pour the marinade into the bag and mix it up. I do it all the time and it works fabulous! It broke my heart to see left over marniade in that second bowl! Love you guys….Thank you for all the wonderful recipes!

    Reply

    • Hey Trev!! You’ve got us intrigued!!! We will definitely check this out and at it to our list. We have been planning on finally publishing Poutine, but then the pandemic hit, and making authentic cheese curds was a little much to ask of folks while stuck at home. But, we’ll do both of them before long!! Take care and love to you and your beautiful mother!! xoxo

      Reply

  • What can I use instead of cucumbers as I do not like them or anything like them thank you I love your shows .. Thanks for sharing

    Reply

    • Hi Vera! You could go with chopped green bell pepper, but honestly, you could just omit them from both the gyro and the sauce, and you’d still have a delicious sandwich. Best, Kris & Wesley

      Reply

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