Easy Chicken Gyros

I made these Easy Chicken Gyros on a Tuesday because life was chaotic and dinner needed to behave like an adult for once. They’re basically juicy, tangy chicken wrapped in pita with all the crunchy, creamy stuff you’d expect—like a Greek vacation that fits in your hand and doesn’t require sunscreen. Why try it? Because it’s fast, forgiving, and tastes way better than the sad desk lunch you’ll pretend you enjoyed.

One time my husband decided to “help” by flipping the chicken too soon, then blamed the smoke alarm when the pan turned into a small bonfire. Our kid thought the pita looked like a hat and wore one at the table, which is half the reason we learned how much extra tzatziki a child will wear on their forehead. I burned one batch, ate another, and eventually realized the “messy” batch tasted the best. Also: yes, I use store-bought yogurt sometimes, and no, I won’t wash fewer dishes.

Time-Saving Hacks

– Use rotisserie chicken if you’re in a rush and morally opposed to dicing raw poultry at 6:10 p.m.
– Buy pre-made tzatziki or plain yogurt + garlic powder + lemon = close enough.
– Marinate in a zip-top bag and toss it in the fridge—less dishes, more pretending you planned ahead.
– Cook everything on one sheet pan or cast-iron skillet to keep the washing to a minimum (a noble aspiration).
– Slice the veggies while the chicken cooks. Time is an illusion, but chopping isn’t.

Serving Ideas

– Serve with extra tzatziki and lemon wedges because life is better with acidity.
– Add a simple Greek salad or street fries if you want to impress and then immediately regret the extra dishes.
– Serve with wine if the kids drove you nuts (red or white, I don’t judge).
– For breakfast: reheat the leftovers, call it “brinner,” and no one will stop you.

What to Serve It With

– Classic: pita, tzatziki, sliced tomato, red onion, and a few cucumber slices.
– Upgrade: add feta, kalamata olives, or a drizzle of hot sauce if you’re feeling dangerous.
– Sidekick: roasted potatoes or a quick tabbouleh for the people who like personality in side dishes.

✔Tips & Mistakes

– Don’t overcook the chicken. Dry gyro meat is a betrayal. Keep it juicy.
– Slice thin; thin = more surface area = more flavor. Math is delicious.
– Let the meat rest for a couple minutes after cooking so it doesn’t weep all over the pita.
– Pro tip: warm the pita on the skillet for 20–30 seconds per side. Magic.
– Yes, this pan is too small. No, I won’t wash fewer dishes.

✔Storage Tips

Store it in the fridge… if there’s any left. Cold midnight leftovers? Sometimes better than fresh.
– Keep components separate if you can (meat in one container, sauce in another) so pita doesn’t turn into soggy regret.
– Reheat gently in a skillet or oven—microwave will work but your pita may develop character (aka limpness).

✔Variations and Substitutions

Swap whatever you want—sugar ↔ honey, soy sauce ↔ tamari, or skip steps and call it “deconstructed.” It still counts.
– Swap chicken for lamb, beef, tofu, or halloumi for different vibes.
– Use gluten-free pita or lettuce wraps if needed.
– Add smoked paprika, cumin, or oregano to the marinade to lean into the flavor you actually want.

Frequently Asked Questions

Easy Chicken Gyros

A simple and delicious recipe for chicken gyros that you can make at home.

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Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Calories: 120kcal

Ingredients

 

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Main Ingredients

• ▢ 1.5 pounds chicken thighs boneless and skinless
• ▢ 0.5 cup greek yogurt
• ▢ 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ▢ 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• ▢ 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• ▢ 1 teaspoon salt
• ▢ 4 pitas pita bread
• ▢ 1 cup lettuce shredded
• ▢ 1 medium tomato sliced
• ▢ 0.5 cup cucumber sliced

Instructions

Preparation Steps

• In a bowl, mix the olive oil, garlic powder, oregano, and salt. Add the chicken and coat well.
• Heat a grill or skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for 6-7 minutes on each side or until thoroughly cooked.
• Remove the chicken from heat and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing.
• Warm the pita bread in a pan. Assemble the gyros by placing sliced chicken, lettuce, tomato, and cucumber inside each pita.
• Add a dollop of Greek yogurt on top and enjoy.

Notes

Great served with a side of tzatziki sauce.