Create a healthy meal with all the flavors of Greece by making this fresh, handheld Chicken Gyro.
The origin of gyros supposedly dates back to the late Ottoman Empire, which stretched over an extensive part of the Eastern world, including present-day Greece. The word gyro means “to turn” in Greek, which refers to how the meat is cooked and turned vertically on a rotisserie. Originally street food in Athens, Greece, gyros can now be found across the world. While traditionally made with lamb, today gyros can be made with a lamb and beef mixture, beef, or—my favorite—chicken.
This chicken gyro is made with healthy, fresh, crave-worthy ingredients in a warm pita bread. But the most important part is the chicken. The chicken is marinated in a zesty combination of lemon juice, oil, vinegar, fresh garlic, and herbs, then perfectly grilled. One characteristic of the chicken gyro that makes a difference is how the chicken is cut. Traditionally, it is sliced, which is the ideal way for most. For example, my husband specifically asks if the chicken is cut in slices before ordering a gyro. However, some chefs cut the chicken into chunks, which may not stay as moist and does not give the appropriate texture of a gyro.
This chicken gyro is also filled with creamy tzatziki sauce made with Greek yogurt, cucumbers, dill, and garlic. Normally, this is accompanied by fresh lettuce, sliced tomatoes, and red onions. Additional toppings that are common are salty feta cheese and French fries! Yes, French fries inside the gyro, which help you spoon out bites of the tzatziki sauce.
Is Chicken Gyro Healthy?
Given the simplicity and freshness of the ingredients in this chicken gyro, it is pretty healthy! For a leaner chicken gyro, replace the pita with a lettuce wrap, or skip the wrap altogether and make a gyro bowl. This will cut out a lot of the carbs and make your dish gluten-free and more keto-friendly.
How to Cook Authentic Gyros, Rotisserie-Style
In the instructions, I explain how to make chicken gyros with grilled chicken thighs, but the chicken can also be cooked on a spit or on skewers. A spit is a metal rod used to cook chicken rotisserie-style and can be done in some ovens that have that function. However, another option is to thread your chicken thighs onto soaked skewers after they have marinated. Cook the skewered chicken in the oven or on a grill, turning halfway through.
How to make ahead and store
To make in advance, marinate the chicken the day before and prep your veggies, then store them in separate containers. For leftovers, again, store components of your chicken gyro separately in air-tight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Serving Suggestions
There are a lot of tasty flavors already happening in our chicken gyro. However, you can add different sauces, like Shatta Sauce – a spicy, green pepper sauce – or try Tirokafteri Sauce, a spicy feta dip. For a more traditional taste, add Homemade Hummus and Greek Fries – either inside the pita or on the side.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 6 pita breads
- 1 1/4 cups Greek yogurt
- 1 English cucumber grated and drained
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 to 2 tomatoes sliced
- 1 small red onion thinly sliced
- Fresh lettuce chopped
- Crumbled feta cheese optional
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, 4 minced garlic cloves, oregano, salt, and pepper. Add chicken thighs and coat evenly. Marinate for at least 1 hour.
- Grill the marinated chicken over medium heat for 5 minutes on each side or until fully cooked. Let it rest before slicing.
- Combine Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, dill, 2 minced garlic cloves, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Adjust seasonings and chill until ready to use.
- Warm the pita breads, then add slices of chicken, tzatziki sauce, lettuce, slices of tomato, and red onion. Sprinkle on optional feta cheese. Fold and serve.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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