Greek Chicken Gyros
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Easy, make-ahead chicken gyros! You can marinate the chicken ahead of time and whip up your homemade tzatziki too! So fast, so good!
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Make-ahead Greek chicken gyros! Is there anything better?
The tzatziki sauce can be made well ahead of time, just marinating in the fridge and getting better and better as it sits. And the chicken can marinate in all these spices – olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, thyme and paprika.
Now I prefer to throw these on the grill, letting them get beautifully charred and smoky but if you reside in a very cold climate with no Spring/Summer in sight (like me in Chicago), these can be thrown on a cast iron grill pan instead. You should still be able to get that charred goodness!
From there, pack your toasted pita flatbreads (this can be toasted on a gas burner very carefully or a cast iron grill pan if you do not have access to a grill at this time) with the chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, onion and tzatziki sauce that’s been marinating in the fridge. It’s a speedy meal that will please everyone!
Tools For This Recipe
Cast iron grill pan or large cast iron skillet
Greek Chicken Gyros: Frequently Asked Questions
Chicken tenderloins (or chicken tenders) are long narrow strips of meat that can be found attached loosely underneath the breast against the rib bones. Chicken tenderloins are far more lean and tender than chicken breasts.
Not at all! If tenderloins are not readily available, you can purchase chicken breasts (or chicken thighs) and cut them lengthwise into 1/2-inch-thick strips.
The tzatziki sauce can be set aside in the refrigerator and the chicken can be marinated at least 2 hours in advance.
No grill, no problem. A cast iron grill pan or a large cast iron skillet will work beautifully here, especially during those winter months when it’s too cold to grill out!
Greek Chicken Gyros
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken tenderloins
- 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 6 pita flatbreads
- 2 cups shredded romaine
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, quartered
- 1 red onion, thinly sliced
For the tzatziki sauce
- ¾ cup Greek yogurt
- ½ cup grated English cucumber, squeezed dry
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a gallon size Ziploc bag, combine chicken, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, thyme, paprika, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Marinate for at least 2 hours, turning the bag occasionally. Drain the chicken from the marinade, discarding the marinade.
- Preheat grill to medium heat. Add chicken to grill, and cook, turning occasionally, until chicken is completely cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165 degrees F, about 8 minutes.
- To serve, warm pitas on the grill, about 1-2 minutes per side. Halve pitas, and fill with chicken, romaine lettuce, tomatoes, red onion and tzatziki sauce.
- Serve immediately.
For the tzatziki sauce
- In a medium bowl, combine Greek yogurt, cucumber, dill, lemon juice, lemon zest and garlic; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Set aside in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Did you make this recipe?
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Fantastic! I didn’t take the time to make sauce from scratch but the marinade is perfect for chicken. Sliced very thin, marinade overnight and grilled on cast iron!
why to use kosher salt? normal jode salt or sea salt can be used
kosher has nothing with greek gyros
Kosher salt is recommended to use for many reasons – it is easier to measure, sprinkle, and gauge seasoning due to its coarse texture.
You can also use table salt if you prefer.
Love this recipe!! So easy to make! My kids love it too!
The chicken turned out great. The tzatziki sauce had a tiny bit too much lemon but that could’ve been my fault. Still a great recipe and easy to make. I will definitely be using this one again. Thank you.
This is one of my families favorite recipes. They love grated (not diced) cucumber on top too. Thank you!
I have made this multiple times for the family and they love it. Easy so So good. Thank you!
I am new to your site (subscribed) and so far you are hitting 100%! Your recipes are easy to follow, love the spices. Your breads are next on my “todo” list!!
I can’t believe how simple and quick this dish is to make – perfect for busy weeknights.
Going to cook tonight
These were fantastic! Made them today using chicken thighs and after marinating for 2 hours, put them in the air fryer for 16 minutes at 385, flipping halfway through. Paired it with a tomato, onion, cucumber salad. My husband gobbled it up! Will add to our rotation. Thanks for sharing!!!
Hi, I was wondering if I could get your old enchilada sauce recipe? The one with the flour and tomato sauce? It’s my family’s favorite, and when I click on my pin for it, it says the recipe is no longer on your sight. Thank you so much!
So Good! Definitely a keeper.
Sauce was definitely restaurant quality – so good. Added Kalamata olives and feta cheese to the gyros. A lot more prep time than I expected but worth it!
Wonderful as usual! Didn’t change a thing with the ingredients, but as it’s raining buckets I made it in the oven 🙂 Would probably been even better grilled, but damn delicious from the oven as well!
I have made so many of your recipes! They are always so delicious!
These make-ahead chicken gyros are a game-changer! With the option to marinate the chicken in advance and prepare your own homemade tzatziki sauce, you can enjoy a delicious and satisfying meal in no time. The flavors are incredible, and the convenience is unbeatable. Thank you for sharing this fantastic recipe that will surely become a go-to favorite!
Really good, really easy! We will definitely be making again. We don’t have a grill so I cooked the chicken in my cast iron skillet and it turned out amazing!
So very good. I made this just as the recipe is written. I did add Feta cheese and next time will add Kalamata olives. Thanks for another delicious easy recipe!
This recipe is so good! I make a deconstructed version for my young kids and they love it too. We add feta cheese. This meal reminds me of my favorite Greek restaurant in my hometown, which a rarely get to have anymore. This recipe is a winner!
Call me crazy but tyhis tasted just like the gyros from a pizza shop that I get. The tzatsiki sauce was on point! Thank you!