Homemade Gyro Recipe

Name: Greek Gyro Recipe
Prep time: PT-977078H33M2S
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Cuisine: Greek
Ingredients: 1/3 cup Greek yogurt; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 tablespoon lemon juice, more to taste; 6 garlic cloves, finely minced; 1 tablespoon dried oregano; 1 teaspoon cumin; 2 teaspoons paprika; 1 ½ teaspoons salt; 1 teaspoon pepper (use half white pepper if you have it); ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes or use Aleppo; 2 lbs chicken thighs ( boneless, skinless) see notes for vegetarian; 4-6 pita breads (or serve over rice); 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion- or make these pickled red onions; 1 cup English cucumber, grated or halved and thinly sliced ( if using waxy cucumbers, peel first); 1 cup Greek yogurt (full-fat); ¼ cup fresh herbs- mint, parsley or dill.; 1 garlic clove; salt and pepper to taste; 2 cups cherry tomatoes, sliced in half ( or sub diced tomate); 2 cups diced cucumber; ¼ cup flat-leaf parsley, chopped; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar; salt and pepper to taste

This easy Greek gyro recipe is made with chicken and packed with authentic Greek flavor! Tender succulent chicken is marinated, then cooked to perfection. Tuck it into warm pita bread with tzatziki, tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions. Vegetarian-adaptable!

three chicken gyros in pita wrap with tomato cucumber salad, tzatziki and pickled red onions.

I don’t know if it was the warm sparkling waters of the Greek islands or the scent of gyro that stole my heart, but the first time I went to Greece, I was smitten. Walking through the streets and alleys, the air is filled with the aroma of roasting meat on vertical spits, ready to be shaved off and tucked into warm pita bread with tzatziki, onions, and fresh tomatoes- as a chef, I couldn’t wait to recreate this at home! Here is my easy homemade gyro recipe made simpler with chicken. Sometimes I’ll also make this vegetarian with mushrooms- also delicious! It’s an easy meal to prepare for dinner, especially if you marinate the chicken ahead of time and make the tzatziki ahead of time (or use store-bought).

What is a gyro?

Gyro is a beloved Greek pita sandwich made with grilled meat on a spit. It carries a rich history! Brought to Greece by Turkish refugees, the gyro we know today originated from the Turkish döner kebab, which was adapted to incorporate the Greek vertical rotisserie, layering meat with local Greek flavors. The name "gyro" comes from the Greek word for turn or circle, a nod to the spinning meat on the spit. If someone had taught a history class from the perspective of food when I was in high school, I’m pretty sure I would have paid much more attention. Haha! 🙂

What is the difference between gyro and shawarma?

Gyro originates from Greece, while shawarma comes from the Middle East. They are both cooked on a vertical spit, hence the confusion between the two, but they are seasoned quite differently and served with distinct sauces.

Why you’ll love this Gyro Recipe

Very adaptable. Made with chicken for a lighter, leaner gyro meat versus using pork or lamb. Vegetarian and vegan adaptable. Use mushrooms as the “meat” and vegan yogurt for the Tzatziki.
Quick and easy! Once the chicken is marinated, the gyros come together in minutes!
Authentic flavor. Chicken is marinated in yogurt, olive oil, lemon, garlic, herbs, and spices for traditional Greek flavor.
Great for meal prep. Make the tzatziki and tomato cucumber salad ahead of time for easy assembling.

Gyro Ingredients

chicken gyros ingredients labeled and arranged in bowls - parsley, seasonings, garlic, tomatoes, lemons, cucumbers, red onion, lettuce, pita, tzatziki, olive oil, yogurt, and chicken thighs.

Greek chicken marinade: Made with Greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic cloves, dried oregano, cumin, paprika, salt, black pepper (use half white pepper if you have it), and red pepper flakes (or Aleppo).
Chicken: Use chicken thighs. Chicken breasts tend to dry out more quickly, while chicken thighs retain more moisture. Or sub mushrooms- king oyster mushrooms work well here!
Red onion: Thinly sliced, raw red onion, or sub with pickled red onions.
Tzatziki: Made with English cucumber (grated or thinly sliced; peeled if using waxy cucumbers), full-fat Greek yogurt, fresh herbs (mint, parsley, dill, rosemary, marjoram, thyme, or a combo!), garlic clove, salt, and pepper.
Tomato cucumber salad: Made with cherry tomatoes (or sub diced tomato), diced cucumber, flat-leaf parsley, olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt, and pepper.
Pita bread: Try our recipe for Pita Bread, or serve the chicken gyros over rice, like our Middle Eastern Rice.

How to Make Homemade Gyro

Gyro is all about the marinade! Make sure to not skip this part- you can do it ahead for the busy week.

1. Marinate the chicken. Whisk together the marinade ingredients (yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, cumin, paprika, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes) in a large bowl or blend them in a small blender. Pour over the chicken thighs in a ziplock or in a medium bowl. Marinate for 30 minutes or up to 24 hours.

glass bowl and whisk with chicken gyro marinade.

chicken thighs marinating in bowl for chicken gyros.

2. Prepare the tzatziki. Sprinkle the cucumber with a little salt and toss in a medium bowl. Let sit for 5-10 minutes, then strain, pressing out excess liquid. Return the cucumbers to the bowl, then add yogurt, garlic, herbs, salt, and pepper. Mix, taste, and adjust, adding a squeeze of lemon if desired. Chill in the fridge until ready to use.

white bowl with tzatziki sauce with spoon.

ceramic bowl with tomato cucumber salad with parsley.

3. Make the tomato cucumber salad. In a bowl, combine cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, parsley, olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt, and pepper. Let sit at room temperature.

4. Pan-sear or grill the chicken. Use a grill pan or large cast-iron skillet to sear the chicken with a tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Let some of the marinade drip off before placing the chicken on the grill pan. Grill each side until grill marks appear and the chicken cooks through. You can place the chicken in a 375F preheated oven to finish cooking through. Shred the chicken with two forks or slice meat, then taste and adjust for salt, chili flakes, and lemon. Aim for a punchy flavor!

marinated chicken thighs on grill pan with grill marks with tongs.

wood board with torn chicken thighs with grill marks, next to tongs, fork, and knife.

To grill the chicken, preheat the grill to medium-high heat and grease the grates. Grill chicken on each side for 3-4 minutes, or until grill marks appear, then reduce heat to medium. Cover the grill and let the chicken finish cooking through until its internal temperature reaches 170F.

assembling chicken gyros - pita with tzatziki sauce with marinated grilled chicken pieces on top - next to bowls of tzatziki sauce, tomato cucumber salad, pickled onions, and shredded lettuce.

hand folding together the chicken gyro topped with pickled onions and tomato cucumber salad.

5. Assemble the gyro. Warm the pita bread in a toaster oven until pliable. Spread a little tzatziki on the pita, then layer with chicken, tomato-cucumber salad, and onions. Add shredded romaine lettuce if desired. Wrap it up in paper, and enjoy!

The Best Way to Wrap a Gyro

Place a piece of parchment paper (or foil) on the counter and fold the top down to create a clean, sturdy edge. Place the filled gyro vertically so that the middle of it aligns with the edge of the parchment (see photo above). Pull the bottom edge over the bottom of the gyro to secure the fillings, then wrap each side tightly to hold everything together. You’ll have a handheld gyro with the top exposed, and the bottom neatly sealed so it doesn't drip.

three chicken gyros in pita wrapped in paper, made with tzatziki sauce, tomato cucumber salad, and pickled onions.

Gyro Topping Ideas

Besides the traditional tzatziki, tomatoes, and onions, other classic toppings include French fries, feta, shredded lettuce, garlic sauce, hot sauce, or even hummus! Feel free to tuck in pickled onions or pickled peppers, radishes, microgreens, fresh herbs like mint, or cilantro.

Variations

Vegetarian and vegan options: Use portobello mushrooms or king oyster mushrooms instead of the chicken. Or make them with our Grilled Eggplant or Authentic Falafel. For vegan gyros, use vegan yogurt.
Make it faster. There is often precooked gyro meat at the grocery store- Trader Joe’s has it. You can use this and fry it up in a pinch, and serve it along with their tzatziki sauce.
Gluten-free option: Serve all of the components over rice to create a gyro bowl!
Try other proteins: Gyros are incredibly versatile and can be made with grilled lamb, turkey zucchini meatballs, grilled pork, or Greek Salmon.
Try different sauces: Tahini Yogurt Sauce can be used in addition to tzatziki or as a substitute. Or try our Beet Tzatziki!
Stuff the pita: We like using the pita as wraps, but if your pita has air pockets, you can stuff the components inside.

Chef’s Tips

Marinate longer. While 30 minutes of marinating time works in a pinch, aim for 12-24 hours for maximum flavor.
Cook hot, then finish low. Once grill marks appear on both sides, finish cooking the chicken through over a lower temperature or in the oven at 375 degrees F.
Let the chicken rest. After cooking, let the chicken sit for 5 minutes before slicing to lock in juices.
Slice against the grain. This makes the chicken more bite-friendly in the gyro wrap!
Carmelize the meat for crispy edges. After you cut or shred the chicken, you can place it back in the grill pan or skillet and sear until really crispy for maximum flavor.
Warm the pita. Warm on a dry skillet or in a toaster oven to make it more pliable.
Drain the cucumbers before making tzatziki. Salt and drain the cucumbers to prevent excess moisture in the tzatziki sauce.
Assemble just before eating. To preserve the texture of each component, assemble the wraps just before eating.

How to Store Greek Gyro

To store leftovers, place each component in a separate airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. The cooked chicken can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Serving Suggestions for Gyro

Serve Chicken Gyros in pita with tomato-cucumber salad, and tzatziki, or over Middle Eastern Rice. Here are some of our other favorite Mediterranean dishes that can be served on the side!

FAQs

What is in a chicken gyro?

Our chicken gyros are made with marinated and grilled chicken, tomato, cucumber salad, red onion, and tzatziki.

What does chicken gyro taste like?

The chicken marinade is tangy, herby, and garlicky with a hint of lemon and spice. The tzatziki adds more lemon, garlic, and herby flavor, while the tomato cucumber salad brings a fresh, crisp taste.

What sauce is traditionally on a gyro?

Tzatziki sauce is the traditional sauce used in gyros.

This Chicken Gyros recipe is so satisfying and nourishing! Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below!