I have The Best Grilled Chicken Gyro Recipe for you today. The chicken is marinated in a perfectly seasoned yogurt base, making these gyros so tender and juicy. Grilling adds the perfect smoky factor to the flavors. Enjoy the gyros with fresh vegetables and feta cheese in a warm pita or Greek yogurt flatbread. Keto friends, savor your chicken over a Greek Salad or zoodles. Don't forget to top it off with my homemade Lighter Tzatziki Sauce.
For specifics of the recipe, use the table of contents to click on any section of the recipe.
Jump to:
- Why you'll love this recipe
- Ingredients to make Grilled Chicken Gyros and the best Chicken Gyro Marinade
- Kitchen Tools Needed
- What is a Greek Chicken Gyro?
- How to make Grilled Chicken Gyros
- Make-ahead, storage, and freezer tips
- Eileen's Tips and Tricks for the best grilled chicken gyros
- Make These Your Own
- FAQ's for Quick and Easy Chicken Gyros
- What to serve with Greek Chicken Gyros
- More Chicken Recipes
- My Top 10 Family Favorite Recipes
- 📖 Recipe
- 💬 Comments
Why you'll love this recipe
- Always a favorite: Whether it’s a weeknight meal, family party, BBQ, tailgate party, okay, anytime
- Perfect every time: Our grilled chicken gyro marinade delivers juicy, tender, and flavor packed chicken, every time.
- Quick and Easy: Marinate the chicken in the morning and dinner is quick to grill. Prep the veggies while the chicken is grilling.
- Great for a Crowd: An affordable and approachable recipe that is a family favorite of my family of 7. I have been making this for over 30 years, always rave reviews.
Greek-inspired recipes are a favorite because they are flavor-packed with healthier options. Some of my favorites are Greek Stuffed Peppers, Easy Greek Chicken Salad, and our delicious Greek Chicken Marinade, which can be used for this and so many chicken recipes.
Ingredients to make Grilled Chicken Gyros and the best Chicken Gyro Marinade
- Greek yogurt: The yogurt is a natural tenderizer for chicken.
- Lime juice and lime zest: The acidity complements the yogurt. Fresh lemon juice can also be used if limes are not available.
- Red wine vinegar: A great marinade pairs a vinegar with citrus, oil, and creamy Greek yogurt to enhance the flavors in the chicken.
- Olive oil: For maximum flavor on simple recipes like this one need great ingredients. A good extra virgin olive oil is recommended. This olive oil has become a favorite.
- Fresh garlic cloves: A must for that perfect hint of garlic.
- Dried oregano, dried thyme: Aromatics add flavor to the marinade.
- Black pepper and kosher salt: Two ingredients that are usually needed to enhance the flavors in most recipes.
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or boneless skinless chicken thighs are also a perfect choice for this Greek chicken salad.
Grilled Chicken Gyro Toppings
- Chopped cucumbers: I prefer using mini cucumbers or English cucumbers, as the seeds are not an issue and are easy to digest.
- Chopped tomato: Use vine-ripe or plum tomatoes and deseed them for better texture.
- Sliced Red onion: thinly slice the onion for an added crunch to the Gyro.
- Tzatziki Sauce
- Warm pita bread or Greek Yogurt Flatbread: If using pita bread, be sure to use the flat pitas not with the pocket. I have found the flat pitas hold up much better to the gyro ingredients.
Kitchen Tools Needed
- Cutting Board
- knife
- Measuring Spoons and Cups
- Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls
- Zester
- Grill Pan
- Whisk
What is a Greek Chicken Gyro?
Gyros are a Greek meal made with meat, usually boneless leg of lamb, chicken, or steak. Served with tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, and Tzatziki Sauce. Served on flatbread, usually pita bread.
How to make Grilled Chicken Gyros
This is an overview of the recipe. The full instructions are in the recipe card below.
How to make the best Chicken Gyro Marinade
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk to combine the Greek Chicken marinade ingredients.
- In a large resealable plastic bag, add the chicken breasts and the Greek chicken marinade. Seal the bag and refrigerate for at least one hour, up to overnight.
How to Grill Chicken Gyros
- Grill the chicken on the preheated grill. Cook the chicken for 8 minutes, flipping halfway through or until the
- The chicken is cooked through once it reaches 165°F/74C°C. Use an instant-read meat thermometer to check the internal temperature.
- Let the chicken rest for at least 5 minutes. This lets the juices settle for juicy chicken.
- After resting the chicken, slice it up and serve with the toppings.
- Grilled chicken gyros with red onions, cucumbers, and tomatoes with a homemade tzatziki sauce.
Make-ahead, storage, and freezer tips
Storage - Leftover grilled chicken gyros can be kept in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keep the chicken separate from the toppings so nothing gets soggy.
Freezer Friendly: I love this recipe because it's a great make-ahead meal. For a make-ahead option, grill the chicken and use a good vacuum sealer to prevent freezer burn.
I make serving-size portions for later. Place frozen chicken gyro meat in the refrgerator the evening before making gyros. The chicken will defrost and be ready to use in the morning. Great for lunch prep too.
Eileen's Tips and Tricks for the best grilled chicken gyros
- Seasoning the chicken before grilling is imperative to layer flavor.
- Watch the chicken on the grill; flare-ups can burn the exterior.
- Chicken Breasts cook best at medium heat to prevent flare-ups.
- Chicken breasts can dry out; use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature: white meat 160°F, dark meat 165°F.
- After many times making chicken gyros, I have found using a block of feta cheese and crumbling it myself delivers a fresher flavor.
Make These Your Own
Do you want to change up this recipe?
- Protein: Change up the proteins and use boneless chicken thighs or pork loin.
- Dairy-Free: Try a coconut yogurt or any dairy-free yogurt.
- Vinegar: While I love using red wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar works well.
- Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free pita bread or flatbread.
- Low-Carb: Serve the chicken gyros over a Greek Salad, Arugula Salad, zoodles, or riced cauliflower.
- Seasonings: If time is an issue, use a greek seasoning blend to season the chicken.
- Additional toppings: Kalamata olives are one of my families topping choice for their gyros.
FAQ's for Quick and Easy Chicken Gyros
Traditionally, beef or chicken make awesome gyros. I use boneless chicken breasts or chicken thighs. My family prefers chicken breasts but thighs hold up very well to the marinade. Plus thighs have a tendency to stay tender.
Lamb is very popular for making gyros.
My favorite cuts for beef gyros are sirloin, skirt, or flank steak. I have used this same marinade on all these cuts of meat with great results.
Make the marinade ingredients, prep and grill the chicken breasts. Prepare the Tzatziki sauce or purchase it if time is an issue. Cut all the vegetables. The key to meal prepping chicken gyros is to store the ingredients in separate airtight containers so everything stays fresh and does not get soggy.
Absolutely, the marinade works on any cut of chicken, pork, lamb, and shrimp.
For the shrimp, a shorter marinade time of 30 to 60 minutes maximum is recommened because of the acid in the yogurt. Cook the shrimp at a high heat for about 3 to 5 minutes, until pink and cooked through.
Yes, I use a vertical skewer to stack the marinated chicken pieces. Bake in a preheated 425°F/218°C for about 35 to 40 minutes. Always use an instant read meat thermometer to check the temperature of the chicken. It is cooked to at least 165°F/74°C.
What to serve with Greek Chicken Gyros
- Chicken Gyros can be served with whole wheat pita bread, lettuce wraps, diced cucumbers, tomatoes, and of course Tzatziki Sauce
- Greek Orzo Salad
- Instant Pot Rice
- Instant Pot Quinoa
More Chicken Recipes
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Eileen xo
If you click the number of servings in the recipe card, you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.
📖 Recipe
Grilled Chicken Gyro Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk to combine well ⅓ cup non-fat Greek yogurt, 2 Tablespoons lime juice, 1 teaspoon lime zest, 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon olive oil, 2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, ½ teaspoon dried thyme, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and 1 teaspoon kosher salt.
- In a large plastic sealable bag, add 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts and the Greek chicken marinade. Seal the bag and refrigerate for at least one hour, up to overnight.
- Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Brush the grates with olive oil. Remove chicken from the marinade and discard the marinade.
- Place the chicken on the preheated grill. Cook the chicken for 8 minutes, flipping halfway through or until the chicken reaches 165°F/74C°C. Use an instant-read meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken.
- Remove the chicken from the grill, cover with aluminum foil, and let rest for 5 minutes. This lets juices set, and the chicken will be juicy.
- Cut the chicken into 1-inch slices. Serve on pita bread or flatbread topped with diced tomatoes, cucumbers, and sliced red onion. Sprinkle Tzatziki Sauce on the chicken gyro.
Nutrition
Nutritional values are estimates only. Please consult a professional for strict dietary needs.
