4.7 from 183 votes
Chicken Gyros
Juicy, flavorful chicken gyros made easily at home! Marinated in a blend of Greek yogurt, lemon, garlic, and warm Mediterranean spices, this chicken is incredibly tender and bursting with authentic gyro flavor. Wrapped in soft pita with creamy tzatziki, crisp red onions, and juicy tomatoes, it’s the perfect Greek-inspired meal—ready to impress with minimal effort!
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Marinate
2 hrs
Total Time
2 hrs 28 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 555 kcal
Course:
Lunch , Dinner
Cuisine:
Mediterranean , Greek
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken thighs boneless and skinless
Marinade
- ½ cup Greek yogurt plain
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon cumin ground
- 1 tablespoon oregano dried
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon ground
- 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
- 1 teaspoon pepper or to taste
Toppings
- 4 pitas
- ¼ cup Tzatziki sauce
- ½ red onion thinly sliced
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes halved
Instructions
- Add the chicken and marinade ingredients to a large freezer bag. Squeeze to mix all the ingredients around and transfer the bag to the fridge. Marinate for 1-4 hours.
- Preheat the oven to 425℉. Equip a baking sheet with a roasting rack. Line the chicken on the rack and bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the edges begin to crisp. You can turn on the broiler for 2-3 minutes if you'd like more crispiness without drying the chicken out.
- Roughly chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Warm the pitas for 15-20 seconds in the microwave or toast them individually in a dry skillet over medium-high heat. Spoon some of the chicken into the pita, then top with tzatziki, onion, and tomatoes.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Marination Time Matters – Even one hour in the yogurt marinade makes a difference, but for best flavor, marinate for 4+ hours or overnight.
- Chicken Thighs vs. Breasts – Thighs stay juicier and are more forgiving, but breasts work too—just reduce cooking time slightly.
- Baking vs. Grilling vs. Stovetop – The oven method is easiest, but grilling adds authentic smoky flavor. A cast-iron pan works great for stovetop cooking!
- Pita Bread Tip – Warm your pitas briefly in a dry skillet or microwave for 15-20 seconds for the best texture.
- Make-Ahead Friendly – The chicken can be marinated up to 24 hours in advance, and leftovers store well for up to 4 days in the fridge.
- Reheating Tip – Warm chicken gently on the stove or in the oven. Avoid microwaving, as it can dry it out.
- Freezing Instructions – Freeze marinated raw chicken for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and cook as usual. Cooked chicken can also be frozen, but won’t be as juicy when reheated.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1serving
Calories
555kcal
(28%)
Carbohydrates
40g
(13%)
Protein
53g
(106%)
Fat
20g
(31%)
Saturated Fat
4g
(20%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
3g
Monounsaturated Fat
9g
Trans Fat
0.04g
Cholesterol
219mg
(73%)
Sodium
1174mg
(49%)
Potassium
832mg
(24%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
3g
(6%)
Vitamin A
1102IU
(22%)
Vitamin C
9mg
(10%)
Calcium
171mg
(17%)
Iron
5mg
(28%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 555
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving | |
| Calories | 555kcal | 28% |
| Carbohydrates | 40g | 13% |
| Protein | 53g | 106% |
| Fat | 20g | 31% |
| Saturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 9g | 45% |
| Trans Fat | 0.04g | 2% |
| Cholesterol | 219mg | 73% |
| Sodium | 1174mg | 49% |
| Potassium | 832mg | 18% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 1102IU | 22% |
| Vitamin C | 9mg | 10% |
| Calcium | 171mg | 17% |
| Iron | 5mg | 28% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.