Greek Chicken Gyros with Lemon-Herb Marinade and Tzatziki

Make delicious Greek chicken gyros at home with this easy recipe. This dish features tender chicken marinated in a bright lemon-herb dressing, grilled to perfection, and served in warm pita with cool tzatziki sauce and fresh toppings. It’s a flavorful and satisfying meal perfect for any night of the week.

Gather these fresh ingredients to make amazing Greek chicken gyros.

• Chicken breast
• Olive oil
• Fresh lemon juice
• Garlic
• Dried oregano
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Pita breads
• Tzatziki sauce
• Chopped lettuce
• Diced tomatoes
• Sliced red onion

Looking for easy swaps? Here are some ideas.

• Chicken: You can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of breasts. They tend to be more forgiving and stay moister. For a vegetarian option, try marinating firm tofu or tempeh in the same marinade.
• Olive Oil: Any neutral cooking oil like avocado or vegetable oil works.
• Lemon Juice: Bottled lemon juice can be used, but fresh provides a brighter flavor.
• Garlic: If you don’t have fresh garlic, you can use 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder.
• Pita Breads: Naan bread or flatbreads are excellent substitutes. For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free pita or lettuce wraps.
• Tzatziki Sauce: If you don’t have tzatziki, plain Greek yogurt with a little cucumber, garlic, and dill can work in a pinch.
• Toppings: Feel free to add feta cheese, Kalamata olives, cucumbers, or a drizzle of extra tzatziki.

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. This is your lemon-herb marinade.
2. Cut the chicken breast into thin strips or bite-sized pieces. Make sure they are about the same size for even cooking.
3. Add the chicken pieces to the marinade. Toss well to coat each piece thoroughly. Cover the bowl and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. For even better flavor, you can marinate it for up to 4 hours, or even overnight.
4. Preheat your grill or a large skillet over medium-high heat. If using a skillet, add a tablespoon of oil if needed.
5. Carefully place the marinated chicken pieces onto the hot grill or skillet. Cook for about 5-7 minutes per side. The chicken should be fully cooked through, with no pink inside, and nicely browned or slightly charred on the edges.
6. While the chicken is cooking, lightly warm the pita breads. You can do this on the grill for about 30 seconds per side, or in a dry skillet or microwave for a few seconds. Just make them warm and pliable.
7. Now it’s time to assemble your gyros! Lay a warm pita flat. Spread a generous layer of tzatziki sauce on the bottom half.
8. Add a portion of the cooked chicken strips over the tzatziki.
9. Top the chicken with chopped lettuce, diced tomatoes, and sliced red onion.
10. Fold the pita bread in half to form your gyro.
11. Serve immediately and enjoy your fresh, homemade Greek chicken gyros!

• Marinating too long in acid: While marinating chicken is great, marinating in too much lemon juice for too long can make the chicken mushy. Stick to the recommended time or slightly longer only if not omitting the oil.
• Cooking chicken from cold: Let the marinated chicken sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before cooking. This helps it cook more evenly.
• Not warming the pita: Cold, stiff pita is hard to bite into. Warming it makes it soft and pliable, perfect for wrapping.

• Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a little sriracha to the marinade for a bit of heat.
• Feta and Olive Addition: Crumble some feta cheese and add Kalamata olives to your gyro before folding for an extra burst of Mediterranean flavor.
• Veggie Loaded: Add thinly sliced cucumber, bell peppers, or even some grilled zucchini and onions for more vegetables.

• Serve these Greek chicken gyros with a side of sweet potato fries or crispy seasoned potato wedges.
• A light Greek salad with cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, and a simple vinaigrette makes a perfect accompaniment.
• Offer extra tzatziki sauce and lemon wedges on the side for dipping and squeezing.

Can I make this ahead?

Yes. You can prepare the lemon-herb marinade and marinate the chicken up to 24 hours in advance. You can also chop the vegetables and make the tzatziki (if homemade) ahead of time. Cook the chicken just before serving for the best taste and texture.

How do I store leftovers?

Store any leftover cooked chicken, tzatziki, and chopped vegetables in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. Reheat the chicken gently and assemble fresh gyros when ready to eat. Assembled gyros will become soggy if stored.

Bringing the flavors of Greece to your kitchen has never been simpler. These Greek chicken gyros are a testament to how a few fresh ingredients and a straightforward recipe can create an incredibly satisfying and delicious meal. Enjoy making and eating them!

Greek Chicken Gyros with Lemon-Herb Marinade and Tzatziki

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Tender chicken marinated in a bright lemon-herb dressing, grilled, and served in warm pita with tzatziki, lettuce, tomatoes, and onions. A quick, family-friendly Greek recipe perfect for weeknight meals.

• Author: basma
• Prep Time: 30
• Cook Time: 15
• Total Time: 45
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Quick Dinner Recipes
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: Greek
• Diet: Halal

Ingredients

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1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 cloves minced garlic
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 whole wheat or white pita breads
1 cup tzatziki sauce (store-bought or homemade)
1 cup chopped lettuce (romaine or iceberg)
1/2 cup diced tomatoes (ripe, juicy)
1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion

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Instructions

Combine chicken breast, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt, and black pepper in a bowl. Mix thoroughly and let marinate for 30 minutes.
Grill the chicken over medium heat until fully cooked (about 6–8 minutes per side, or until no longer pink in center). Let rest briefly.
Warm pita breads if desired. Spread 2–3 tablespoons of tzatziki in each pita.
Layer with grilled chicken, chopped lettuce, diced tomatoes, and sliced red onion. Serve immediately.

Notes

For easier grilling, thread marinated chicken onto metal skewers.
Chicken thighs can be used instead of breast for juicier results. For a vegetarian option, substitute marinated firm tofu or tempeh.
Tzatziki can be made at home (see related recipes) or store-bought for convenience.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 gyros wrap
• Calories: 230
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 9g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Carbohydrates: 35g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 20g
• Cholesterol: 60mg