What ingredients do I need to make authentic chicken gyros at home?

To make authentic chicken gyros, you will need boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, Greek yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and ground cumin. For serving, prepare pita bread, sliced tomatoes, onions, and traditional tzatziki sauce made from Greek yogurt, cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, and dill. Marinate the chicken for at least 2 hours to infuse the flavors before grilling or pan-searing.

How do I make tzatziki sauce for chicken gyros?

Tzatziki sauce is made by combining Greek yogurt, grated cucumber (drained to remove excess water), minced garlic, lemon juice, chopped fresh dill, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Mix all ingredients well and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld. This creamy sauce adds a refreshing, tangy complement to the seasoned chicken in gyros.

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs for chicken gyros?

Yes, chicken breasts can be used as a leaner alternative to thighs. They cook faster and have a milder flavor, so marinate them longer (at least 2-3 hours) to maintain tenderness and absorb the spices well. Be careful not to overcook breasts as they can dry out. For best results, slice the cooked chicken thinly before assembling your gyros.

What is the best way to cook chicken for gyros to get a crispy outside?

To achieve a crispy exterior, grill the marinated chicken over medium-high heat or pan-sear it in a hot skillet with a little olive oil. Cooking at high heat helps caramelize the spices and creates a nice crust while keeping the inside juicy. Avoid overcrowding the pan to ensure even browning. Let the chicken rest a few minutes before slicing.

How should chicken gyros be traditionally served?

Chicken gyros are traditionally served wrapped in warm pita bread with sliced tomatoes, onions, and plenty of tzatziki sauce. Some versions include lettuce or cucumber slices for added crunch. They are often accompanied by sides like Greek salad, fries, or rice. Rolling the ingredients tightly ensures all flavors combine in every bite and makes the gyro easy to eat on the go.

Chicken Gyros Recipe With Creamy Tzatziki Sauce 2024

Name: Chicken Gyros
Prep time: PT-494339H36M41S
Cook time: 6 min
Total time: 26 min
Cuisine: Greek
Ingredients: 2 lb (1 kg) boneless skinless chicken thigh fillets; 3 large garlic cloves, minced (about 3 teaspoons); 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar (or red wine or apple cider vinegar); 3 tablespoons lemon juice; 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil; 3 tablespoons Greek yogurt, preferably full fat; 1 1/2 tablespoons dried oregano; 1 teaspoon salt; Black pepper to taste; 2 cucumbers (to yield about 1/2 to 3/4 cup grated cucumber after squeezing out juice); 1 1/4 cups Greek yogurt, preferably full fat; 1 tablespoon lemon juice; 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (or more for richer flavor); 1 garlic clove, minced; 1/4 teaspoon salt; Black pepper to taste; 3 tomatoes, deseeded 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 taste; 4 to 6 pita breads or flatbreads

Ingredients

Scale

2 lb (1 kg) boneless skinless chicken thigh fillets

3 large garlic cloves, minced (about 3 teaspoons)

1 tablespoon white wine vinegar (or red wine or apple cider vinegar)

3 tablespoons lemon juice

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

3 tablespoons Greek yogurt, preferably full fat

1 1/2 tablespoons dried oregano

1 teaspoon salt

Black pepper to taste

2 cucumbers (to yield about 1/2 to 3/4 cup grated cucumber after squeezing out juice)

1 1/4 cups Greek yogurt, preferably full fat

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (or more for richer flavor)

1 garlic clove, minced

1/4 teaspoon salt

Black pepper to taste

3 tomatoes, deseeded 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 taste

4 to 6 pita breads or flatbreads

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Instructions

1-Prepare the marinade: by combining 3 large garlic cloves (minced), 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar, 3 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, 3 tablespoons Greek yogurt, 1 1/2 tablespoons dried oregano, 1 teaspoon salt, and black pepper to taste in a ziplock bag. Add the chicken and massage to coat. Marinate for at least 2 hours, ideally up to 12 hours.

2-Make the tzatziki: Halve 2 cucumbers lengthwise, scrape out seeds, grate coarsely, and squeeze out excess liquid. Mix with 1 1/4 cups Greek yogurt, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, 1 minced garlic clove, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and black pepper. Let it sit for 20 minutes.

3-Assemble the salad: Combine 3 deseeded and diced tomatoes, 3 diced cucumbers, 1/2 finely chopped red Spanish onion, 1/4 cup fresh parsley (if using), and season with salt and pepper.

4-Heat your grill or pan: Brush with oil and cook the chicken for 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.

5-Rest the chicken for 5 minutes, then cut into pieces.

6-Warm the pita breads, add salad, chicken, and tzatziki, then roll up tightly.

Last Step:

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Notes

🧄 Yogurt tenderizes the chicken and helps the marinade infuse flavor.
🥒 Use Greek yogurt in tzatziki for authentic taste and creamy texture.
🌿 Garlic and oregano are the key flavors that make this gyro special.

Author: Brandi Oshea
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Marinate time: 2 to 24 hours
Cook Time: 6 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Marinate and Grill
Cuisine: Greek
Diet: Gluten Contains (pita bread)

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 642 kcal
Sugar: 11 g
Sodium: 1297 mg
Fat: 20 g
Saturated Fat: 4.6 g
Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 48 g
Fiber: 5 g
Protein: 65 g
Cholesterol: 242 mg