This chicken gyro recipe is loaded with tender yogurt marinated chicken seasoned with warming spices, and topped with a creamy homemade tzatziki sauce. Tuck in some fresh veggies and sandwich night just got a whole lot better!

Chicken gyro wraps served with black and green olives.
Photo Credits: Suzy Karadsheh

The secret to making healthy homemade chicken gyros is the herbed yogurt marinade that caramelizes beautifully and keeps lean chicken juicy, whether you cook on the stove, in the oven, or on the grill outside. Tucked into a soft Pita Bread with Tzatziki Sauce and crunchy vegetables, it’s a sandwich night supper that’s almost as easy as takeout.

On occasion, I love to enjoy a lamb and beef gyro, the meat spit-roasted until it’s rich and lightly charred. But in the interest of health, I try to make them an occasional treat, rather than my gyro go-to. For this chicken gyro recipe and most other weeknight meals, I try to instead prioritize leaner proteins and lots of fresh vegetables, even in sandwiches! 

This chicken gyro isn’t a spit-roasted affair, but chicken tenders cook quickly making this a healthy, casual dinner you can easily scale up or down. 

Chicken gyro wraps with tzatziki sauce, tomatoes and olives.

What is a Greek Chicken Gyro? 

A gyro, which is pronounced “yi-roh,” is a beloved Greek street food that is now popular the world over. 

In the United States, gyro is typically made from a combination of spiced ground lamb and ground beef. The meat is formed into a big meatloaf and roasted in the oven or on a vertical roaster. It’s then sliced into strips and served as part of a platter or tucked into a pita wrap. 

In Greece, however, gyros look a little different. They are made with chicken or pork as often as they are beef or lamb. Instead of using ground meat they’re made from whole muscle cuts. Similar to the version we see in the U.S., these are stacked and roasted on a slowly spinning vertical roaster similar to the Turkish Doner Kebab. The name gyro comes from the Greek word meaning “round” or ”to turn.” 

The cook cuts the meat from the spit in thin shavings and tucks them into a puffy pita with thinly sliced red onion, tomato, Greek yogurt or tzatziki, and sometimes French fries, adding a final shake of paprika.

Though gyros can be filled with almost any type of meat, yogurt-marinated chicken is a lean, healthy option that is just as flavorful as richer cuts from beef or lamb. 

What’s the Difference Between Chicken Gyro, Chicken Shawarma, and Chicken Kebab?

You’ll find some similarities in the preparation of gyros, doner kebabs, and Shawarma. The spit-roasted meat sandwich reflects many different regions and cultures throughout the Mediterranean. That said, there are subtle differences between them. 

  • Doner kebab seasoning is a tad more generous on cumin, and tends to have a brick-red hue from the addition of paprika and Aleppo pepper.
  • Chicken Shawarma has a smoky and sweet note from the addition of cumin and ground cloves, as well as a sunny color from the addition of ground turmeric.
  • Gyro seasoning is more herbaceous, prominently featuring the flavors of dried oregano and fresh garlic.

Another distinguishing factor? The accompanying sauce. For gyros, it has to be herby Tzatziki Sauce. In shawarma, it’s a lemony Tahini Sauce. Doner kebabs sometimes have two sauces; a garlicky yogurt or mayonnaise-based sauce and a tomato-based hot sauce. 

What Cut of Chicken to Use for Chicken Gyros?

Using chicken tenders makes this chicken gyro recipe weeknight-friendly. The tenders cook quickly and require little prep. Just mix up the yogurt marinade, add the chicken and you’re ready to cook!

That said, you can also use this recipe with boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, either whole or cut into strips. If you’re grilling your chicken, marinate and grill whole breasts or thighs to minimize the likelihood that your chicken pieces will fall through the grill grates. Once they’ve cooled slightly you can slice them. 

Chicken gyro wraps with tzatziki sauce, tomatoes and olives.

Chicken Gyro Ingredients

You’ll need just a quick spin through the grocery store to pick up ingredients for this chicken gyro recipe. Besides the fresh ingredients, most of the flavoring elements for the marinade are spice cabinet staples. 

For the Gyros

  • Chicken tenders cut down on prep work for this recipe, because you can add them straight into the marinade without any slicing or trimming (one less knife and cutting board to wash up!). Plus, they’re a shape that fits well into a pita wrap. 
  • Extra virgin olive oil: I recommend cooking the chicken in a nonstick pan because the yogurt browns well, and adding a little olive oil helps that process along nicely. 
  • Pita Bread: Tender Pita Bread is essential for a wrap-style gyro. If you’re using store-bought pita, which is totally fine, I recommend looking for the puffy, single layer, Greek-style pita bread to make gyros, rather than the thinner, double layer pitas.
  • Tzatziki Sauce: Refreshing, cucumber studded Tzatziki Sauce is easy to make and adds richness and tang to this Greek chicken gyro recipe. 
  • Tomato, either sliced or cut into wedges, is one of the essential fresh fillings for any gyro and adds tangy sweetness. 
  • Cucumber adds juicy crunch, a welcome textural contrast to the tender chicken, and another textbook gyro filling.
  • Green peppers are not necessarily something you’ll always find on a gyro, but they often appear next to cucumber and tomato in horiatiki, Greek Salad, so to me they make sense here, too. 
  • Red onion adds welcome pungency and crunch to the soft pita wrap and tender chicken. If you’re sensitive to onion, soak the slices in ice water beforehand to tame their bite. 
  • Kalamata olives: I love the briny richness a few Greek olives add to the gyro.
Chicken gyro marinade spice mix in a bowl.

For the Spiced Yogurt Marinade

  • Greek yogurt is the base for the marinade. The lactic acid naturally present in thick, plain Greek yogurt tenderizes the chicken while also helping to keep it juicy as it cooks. 
  • Lemon juice adds even more tenderizing acidity as well as fresh citrus flavor to the marinade. Want to boost it even more? Add the zest of the lemon, too.
  • Extra virgin olive oil: brings richness and nuance to the marinade. For this recipe, I love using our grassy Greek Private Reserve olive oil, which is made from native-to-Greece Koroneiki olives. 
  • Red wine vinegar: A splash of vinegar helps cut through the richness of the yogurt in the flavor of the marinade. 
  • Garlic brings pungent and savory depth of flavor. 
  • Seasoning: Dried oregano (see “Ingredient Spotlight” below for a deeper dive on Greek Oregano) adds herbaceousness, and a touch each of sweet paprika, ground cumin, and ground coriander add smoky, resinous flavors that give the marinade depth. Salt and pepper enhance the flavor of the marinade, too.

Ingredient Spotlight

Oregano is an essential flavor in so many beloved Greek dishes, and gyros are no exception. Using Greek oregano in this chicken gyro recipe takes it from everyday to exceptional. 

Oregano is a perennial herb that grows wild in the mountainous countryside that characterizes so much of Greece. It is so aromatic that you can smell it all around you, similar to the way wild fennel is everywhere in the South of France and Italy. In contrast, Italian and Turkish types of oregano are sweeter and less pungent.

Even when dried into robust bunches, Greek oregano retains a sharp, heady aroma that has a high note of mint and a peppery savoriness. Crush a few of the leaves and dried flowers between your fingers and the herbaceous aroma persists, a prized characteristic that makes it a wonderful herb for Mediterranean cooking. 

  • TRY IT: Find both bunches and jars of Greek oregano at our shop.
  • BEST SUBSTITUTE: Any other type of oregano! Keep in mind that, no matter where it’s from, oregano is one of those herbs where the freshness of the jar has a big impact on the herb’s flavor and aroma. 

How to Make Chicken Gyros

It only takes minutes to whip up this marinade. While the chicken soaks up all the flavor prep the rest of your dinner.

  • Marinate the chicken. In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of plain Greek yogurt, the juice of 1 lemon, 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar, three minced garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon oregano, 1 teaspoon sweet paprika, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon ground coriander, and a pinch of cayenne pepper, if using, and a big pinch each of salt and pepper (about 1/2 teaspoon each) and mix well. Add 1 1/2 pounds of chicken tenders, ensuring each piece of chicken is well coated with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes (or overnight.) Meanwhile, prep the gyro fixings.Chicken gyros marinating in bowl.
  • Cook the chicken. Heat 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium-high until shimmering but not smoking. Shake off any excess marinade and add the chicken tenders to the pan. Cook on one side undisturbed until well-browned, about 5 minutes. Using tongs, turn the chicken over and cook on the other side for another 5 minutes or until the chicken is done (internal temperature should register 165°F). Chicken tenders cooked in a cast iron pan.
  • Assemble the chicken gyros. Warm up some pita by carefully wafting it over a medium gas burner or in a hot, dry skillet over medium heat. Spread Tztaziki sauce on top, then add chicken (about 2 to 3 tenders each) and top with 1 sliced tomato, 1 sliced cucumber, 1 cored and sliced green pepper, 1 small red onion sliced in half moons, and olives. Wrap the pita up and enjoy!Toppings for chicken gyro, including tomatoes, green peppers, onions, and olives.

Can I Grill or Bake the Chicken Instead? 

For these chicken gyros, you can absolutely use an outdoor grill, or you can bake the chicken if you need to:

  • To grill. Grill chicken tenders over medium heat for about 5 minutes on one side, turn, and grill for another 4 to 5 minutes or until chicken is fully cooked. Be sure the grill grates are lightly oiled, and shake off excess marinade before placing the chicken on the grill.
  • To bake. Heat your oven to 375°F. Shake excess marinade off the chicken tenders and arrange them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in heated oven for about 20 minutes or until the tender reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
A chicken gyro wrap with tomatoes, onions, green peppers and olives.

How to Store Chicken Gyros

As with all sandwiches, chicken gyros are best as soon as they’re assembled. If you have leftover cooked chicken and fixin’s, store them in separate airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4 days. Store leftover pita at room temperature. Reheat the chicken gently and assemble fresh gyros just before serving. 

What to Serve With Chicken Gyros

These chicken gyros are a complete meal on their own, but a few fun sides never hurt! For a fun twist, add a little Marinated Feta or rather than assembling different veggies, just make this Mediterranean Cucumber Tomato Salad to top the gyros or serve alongside.

The obvious choice to add next to these gyros is a Traditional Greek Salad, but I also highly recommend this tasty Watermelon Salad or Grilled Zucchini Salad.

For something more substantial, get the oven going for a batch of Greek Roasted Potatoes or Crispy Greek Oven Fries. Based on a baked version of chunky steak fries, they’re finished with a showering of garlic, fresh herbs, and a little crumbled feta. If you want a really authentic gyro, add a few fries inside the pita wrap!

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4.95 from 68 votes

Chicken Gyro Recipe

Suzy Karadsheh of The Mediterranean Dish. In the kitchenSuzy Karadsheh
Chicken gyro wraps served with black and green olives.
Yogurt-marinated chicken tenders, packed with flavor from warm spices, and loaded into a pita wrap with homemade and all the fixings you love! You can make this Greek chicken in a pan, outdoor grill, or oven (see note).
Prep – 10 minutes
Cook – 10 minutes
Marinating Time 30 minutes
Total – 50 minutes
Cuisine:
Greek
Serves – 4
Course:
Entree

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken Gyro Marinade

For Serving

Instructions
 

  • Marinate the chicken. In a large mixing bowl, mix together the marinade ingredients until well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add the chicken tenders and mix, ensuring each piece of chicken is well coated with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes (or overnight.) Meanwhile, prep the gyro fixings.
  • Cook the chicken. Heat extra virgin olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium-high until shimmering but not smoking. Add the chicken tenders to the pan, shaking off any excess marinade. Cook on one side undisturbed until well-browned, about 5 minutes. Using tongs, turn the chicken over and cook on the other side for another 5 minutes or until the chicken is done.
  • Assemble the chicken gyros. Warm up some pita over a medium gas burner or a hot, dry skillet. Spread the Tzatziki sauce on top, then add chicken (about 2 to 3 tenders) and top with tomato, cucumber, green pepper, red onion and olives as you like. Wrap the pita up and enjoy!

Notes

  • Shop this recipe: Visit our shop to browse quality Mediterranean ingredients including the olive oil and spices used in this recipe.
  • To Prepare Ahead of Time: You can prepare the chicken and marinate it one day in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to cook.
  • To Grill Outdoors: Grill chicken over medium heat for 5 minutes on one side, and another 3 to 5 minutes on the other  until chicken is fully cooked. The internal temperature should register 165°F.
  • To Oven-Bake: Heat oven to 375°F. Shake excess marinade off the chicken tenders and arrange them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake until done (internal temperature should register 165°F), about 20 minutes.
  • How to Store Chicken Gyros: As with all sandwiches, chicken gyros are best as soon as they’re assembled. If you have leftover cooked chicken and fixin’s, store them in separate airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4 days. Store leftover pita at room temperature. Reheat the chicken gently and assemble fresh gyros just before serving.
  • Nutritional information does not include the Pita Bread or Tzatziki Sauce. 

Nutrition

Calories: 369.5kcalCarbohydrates: 13.5gProtein: 43.3gFat: 15.8gSaturated Fat: 2.6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 9.2gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 111.4mgSodium: 223.8mgPotassium: 1059.2mgFiber: 3.6gSugar: 6.2gVitamin A: 764.2IUVitamin C: 49.9mgCalcium: 127.9mgIron: 2.3mg
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I’m Suzy; born and bred right on the shores of the Mediterranean. I’m all about easy, healthy recipes with big Mediterranean flavors. Three values guide my cooking: eat with the seasons; use whole foods; and above all, share! So happy you’re here…
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4.95 from 68 votes

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Comments

  1. Joshua Voss says:

    5 stars
    This is yet another Suzy favorite of mine. It has become an almost weekly event in my household. I love love love this recipe!

    1. Suzy says:

      Awesome! I’m so happy to hear that!

  2. Robert Heathman says:

    5 stars
    Yup, thats the recipe for the greek gyro chicken. Spot on.

    1. Suzy says:

      Thank you, Robert!

  3. Amy Cookson says:

    5 stars
    Super tasty. Exactly what I was looking for.

    1. Suzy says:

      Awesome! Thanks so much, Amy!

  4. Yumnom says:

    5 stars
    It was good, my boyfriend enjoyed it 🙂

    Thank you for sharing!

    1. Suzy says:

      Awesome!

  5. Jane says:

    5 stars
    Made this with chicken breast cut into cubes and served with home made pitta, fom this site, mediterranean salad, homemade chips and tadziki. Everyone enjoyed it. Lovely flavours. Next time i will also serve home made hummus. Thankyou, great recipe.

  6. Cc says:

    5 stars
    My husband and I spent our honey moon in Greece this past September. We loved the gyro and we have been craving them ever since. I came across this recipe and thought I would give it a try. Wow it was so delicious!! We will make this again that’s for sure. We both agreed that it reminded us of the ones in Greece.

    1. Suzy says:

      So glad! thank you for sharing

  7. Mia says:

    5 stars
    Definitely a 5 star recipe! I love love love the marinade and honestly just everything about this recipe.
    (you should FOR SURE make the homemade tzatziki sauce because oh my goodness I am so happy I did, I made it with non-fat yogurt and it was awesome!)

    1. Suzy says:

      So happy you enjoyed it, Mia!

  8. Joe says:

    5 stars
    So good!

    1. Suzy says:

      Thanks, Joe! So glad you enjoyed the recipe!

      1. AM K says:

        These were so good! I sliced chicken breast’s into strips and used buttermilk instead of Greek yogurt and the chicken tasted amazing. I cooked the strips in an air fryer. Thank you.

      2. Suzy says:

        Thanks for sharing!! 🙂

  9. Heather says:

    Hi, this was tasty, thank you. I had a giggle when i got to the instructions (step 1) where it talks about a mixing bowel where I’m pretty sure you meant a mixing bowl 🙂

    1. Suzy says:

      Hahaha! Good catch! I’ll have to correct that!

  10. Mk says:

    5 stars
    I made these chicken gyros last night and they turned out to be very tasty. The tztaziki sauce was perfect too!! I also made mushroom gyro, substituted the chicken for mushroom and that turned out good as well. Thank you for this recipe!

    1. Suzy says:

      My pleasure! So glad you enjoyed it!

  11. Alex says:

    5 stars
    Have never made gyros before and this recipe was the absolute perfect introduction.

    They were so flavoursome and juicy and I will be making these again.

    I did mine on a rack in the oven and they crisped up nicely on the outer (some charred bits) and were still very juicy inside. I used skinless thigh chicken which was excellent with this mixture. I cooked the thighs whole and then sliced them up once cooked.

    Also cooked up some hot chips with paprika and rosemary on them to add inside – so good.

    I made the chicken alongside this gluten free flatbread to use as pita and it went SO welll together. Coeliacs check it out – so great to be able to replicate this delicious dish at home.
    https://www.feastingonfruit.com/vegan-gluten-free-flatbread/#comment-260977

    Thanks so much!

  12. Jenn says:

    Hello! I’m going to prep these for lunches throughout the week, and I can’t wait to try them! I was just wondering if the nutrition information is just the chicken and marinade, or does it include the “fixins” minus the tzatziki? Just asking so I can track my macros properly. Thanks!!!

    1. Suzy says:

      Hi Jenn, the nutrition information is our best estimate using a simple program to calculate, but it does include the yogurt marinade and the fixings (if you are using Tzatziki sauce, you’ll follow that recipe for the nutrition information for the sauce).

  13. Linda says:

    Is there a non-dairy substitute for the yogurt?

  14. Gina Pintsopoulos says:

    5 stars
    I made these last night! The flavor was incredible on the chicken just the right amount of spice and acidity! The mean was super easy to make too which is great on busy nights. Can’t wait to make these again

    1. Suzy says:

      Awesome! Thank you, Gina!

  15. Aja says:

    5 stars
    This was an excellent recipe! I did add a little more salt to each piece of chicken when it was ready to cook because my first few chicken pieces were lacking salt. I made a Lebanese garlic sauce to go with it and roast cauliflower, so good!

    1. Suzy says:

      Thanks for sharing, Aja!

  16. Maroesjka says:

    Aloha,
    I made a mistake by buying cumin seeds instead of ground cumin. Is there any way I can alter the seeds or should I just go back to the store.:)

    1. Suzy says:

      Hi there, if you have a grinder of sorts, you can grind the seeds into powder to use as directed.