Juicy Chicken Gyros with Creamy Tzatziki and Warm Pita
A Mediterranean Favorite at Home
There’s something incredibly comforting about biting into a warm, flavorful chicken gyro. With its tender marinated meat, soft pita, crunchy veggies, and creamy tzatziki sauce, a chicken gyro wraps all the best textures and tastes into one handheld meal. It’s a go-to Mediterranean street food that’s surprisingly easy to make at home—and once you try it, you’ll want to make it on repeat.
Flavor-Packed Chicken Marinade
The secret to juicy chicken gyros starts with the marinade. Think Greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and a blend of Mediterranean spices like oregano, cumin, and paprika. The yogurt helps tenderize the chicken while locking in flavor. Let it marinate for at least 2 hours (overnight is even better), then grill or sear the chicken until it’s golden, smoky, and juicy inside.
You can use chicken thighs for more flavor and moisture or go lean with chicken breasts—both work beautifully in this recipe.
Creamy Tzatziki for the Perfect Sauce
No gyro is complete without tzatziki. This creamy cucumber-garlic sauce adds a refreshing balance to the savory chicken. Grated cucumber, Greek yogurt, minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and fresh dill come together to make a tangy, cooling sauce that you’ll want to slather on everything.
Chill the tzatziki for at least 30 minutes so the flavors can fully develop. Bonus: it’s a great make-ahead addition to salads, bowls, or wraps throughout the week.
Assembling the Perfect Chicken Gyro
To build your gyro, start with a warm pita. Layer on slices of juicy chicken, then add your toppings—sliced red onion, chopped tomatoes, shredded lettuce, and a handful of crumbled feta cheese. Drizzle generously with tzatziki and wrap it all up.
If you like a bit of heat, add a sprinkle of chili flakes or a drizzle of hot sauce. You can even serve your gyros open-faced for a gyro plate style dinner with fries or a side salad.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Marinade:
- 1 ½ lbs boneless chicken thighs or breasts
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Tzatziki Sauce:
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- ½ cucumber, grated and squeezed dry
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill
- Salt to taste
For the Gyros:
- 4–6 pita breads, warmed
- Sliced red onion
- Diced tomatoes
- Shredded lettuce
- Crumbled feta cheese
- Optional: chili flakes, hot sauce, French fries
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken:
- In a bowl, whisk together all marinade ingredients. Add chicken and coat well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
- Cook the Chicken:
- Grill or sear chicken in a skillet over medium-high heat until cooked through and nicely browned, about 6–7 minutes per side. Let rest, then slice into strips.
- Make the Tzatziki:
- In a bowl, mix all tzatziki ingredients. Taste and adjust seasoning. Chill for 30 minutes before serving.
- Assemble the Gyros:
- Lay warm pita flat. Add sliced chicken, veggies, feta, and drizzle with tzatziki. Wrap up and enjoy immediately.
Final Thoughts
Chicken gyros are fresh, flavorful, and filling—the kind of meal that feels like a mini escape to a Greek taverna. Whether you’re meal prepping or planning a cozy dinner, these wraps hit every craving.
Stick around—every visit tastes better than the last at The Buttered Bliss.
