Servings
Font
Back
5.0 from 9 votes

Super Easy Greek Gyro Pita (With Chicken, Tzatziki and Fries!)

Gyro pitas (AKA souvlaki!) are Greece's most popular fast food. If you've ever tried one (or two or ten) in Greece, you'll know that these wraps with marinated chicken, salad, tzatziki and fries inside are incredibly delicious. But did you know you can make chicken gyros in your oven at home? They're super quick and easy, and they honestly taste just the same as they do in Greece! Perfect either for a tasty midweek meal, or to impress a mini crowd.

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
35 mins
Servings: 6 (to 8)
Calories: 851 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Greek

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds chicken thigh Sliced thinly (about 1cm wide). I use kitchen scissors and wear disposable kitchen gloves to do this.
For the marinade
  • ⅓ cup olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • ¾ teaspoon cumin
  • 2 teaspoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice (Alternatively, you can use white or red wine vinegar.)
  • ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1½ teaspoons mustard (optional)
  • 1½ teaspoons salt
  • ¾ teaspoon pepper
To assemble
  • 8 Greek pita bread (If you can't find authentic Greek pita, use either fresh store-bought flatbread or this 2-ingredient flatbread.)
  • 2 cups Tzatziki sauce Use either store bought or 2 quantities of my 10-minute easy homemade tzatziki sauce. Check out the separate post for helpful notes and tips, or see the homemade tzatziki sauce recipe below in notes section.
  • 2 large tomatoes (The riper and redder the better.)
  • 1 red onion
  • ¼ iceberg lettuce (Or 2 crunchy lettuce hearts)
  • 2 pounds frozen fries
  • a little extra paprika for sprinkling

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Put the sliced chicken into a large bowl. Add all of the marinade ingredients and combine really well. Cover and let marinate in the fridge at least while you prepare the other ingredients - longer if you can (overnight is ideal).
  2. Pre-heat the oven to 425F/220C and line three baking trays with baking paper (two might be enough if you have one really large one). Also rip or cut squares of baking paper or aluminium foil to wrap the gyros in (foil is easier).
  3. While the oven is heating up, slice the tomatoes and onion and lettuce thinly. Make the tzatziki if making your own (see recipe in notes section below).
  4. Using kitchen tongs or a fork, spread the marinated chicken out on the baking sheet(s). Spread out the frozen fries on the other baking sheet. Bake the chicken and fries for 20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through, browned and slightly crisp in parts.
  5. Warm the pita bread through either in the oven for a few minutes, or in a pan for a couple of minutes on each side. To assemble, place the pita on the edge of a square of baking paper or foil. Spread a big spoonful of tzatziki down the middle. Add a line of meat, 2 to 3 slices of tomato and onion, and a small handful of lettuce and fries. Sprinkle over a little extra paprika.
  6. To wrap, bring the edges of the pita together, pinching a little more at the bottom to form a cone shape. Roll the gyros up in the paper, tucking the end into the bottom (don't worry if it isn't perfect - it takes a little practice!).

Notes

  • What pita bread to use: In Greece, you are usually given a choice of regular 'Greek pita bread' which is thicker than regular pita bread. Or you can have Arabic style bread which is larger and thinner. 
  • If you can find an authentic Greek style pita, great! If not, use a fresh bakery or supermarket flatbread (Arabic style) or this 2-ingredient flatbread recipe if you'd like to try making your own bread.
  • Storing and freezing instructions: You can freeze the raw marinated chicken for up to 6 months in a sealed freezer bag or container if you like. Then defrost overnight in the fridge and continue with the recipe as written.
  • Store leftover cooked chicken in the fridge for up to a few days. Reheat spread out on a baking sheet at 340/170C for 10 minutes or until piping hot again. Or you can reheat in an air fryer for around 5 minutes, or until piping hot. 
  • You can also freeze any leftover cooked chicken for up to 2 months. 
  • Quick tzatziki recipe: If you like you can read helpful instructions and tips for making my 10-minute tsatziki recipe. If you just want the recipe, here it is: 
  • This recipe is enough for 8 wraps. Simply combine the ingredients below. Any leftovers are fantastic on top of baked potatoes, with any kind of salad, as a healthy dip or spread onto a burger or sandwich! 
  • 2 cups Greek yogurt
  • 1-2 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 1 cucumber (diced finely)
  • 4 tablespoons finely chopped fresh dill
  • 1 lemon (juice only)
  • A note about the nutritional info: Please note that for this recipe the nutrition info is only a guestimate. The marinade is for flavor while cooking and so will not all be consumed. Also there is usually some of the fillings left over e.g. fries, tzatziki.

Nutrition Information

Calories 851kcal (43%) Carbohydrates 87g (29%) Protein 32g (64%) Fat 43g (66%) Saturated Fat 12g (60%) Polyunsaturated Fat 6g Monounsaturated Fat 19g Trans Fat 0.1g Cholesterol 84mg (28%) Sodium 1828mg (76%) Potassium 1032mg (29%) Fiber 9g (36%) Sugar 6g (12%) Vitamin A 1488IU (30%) Vitamin C 21mg (23%) Calcium 174mg (17%) Iron 5mg (28%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6(to 8)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 851

% Daily Value*

Calories 851kcal 43%
Carbohydrates 87g 29%
Protein 32g 64%
Fat 43g 66%
Saturated Fat 12g 60%
Polyunsaturated Fat 6g 35%
Monounsaturated Fat 19g 95%
Trans Fat 0.1g 5%
Cholesterol 84mg 28%
Sodium 1828mg 76%
Potassium 1032mg 22%
Fiber 9g 36%
Sugar 6g 12%
Vitamin A 1488IU 30%
Vitamin C 21mg 23%
Calcium 174mg 17%
Iron 5mg 28%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.