Craving something fresh, flavorful, and perfect for dinner? These Greek Chicken Gyros with Cucumber Tzatziki are a must-try. This dish brings together tender marinated chicken, warm pita, crisp vegetables, and a creamy cucumber tzatziki that ties everything together beautifully. Inspired by classic Greek street food, this gyro recipe is not only simple to prepare but also customizable, healthy, and satisfying.
Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or meal prepping for the week, these gyros will easily become a dinner go-to. Packed with Mediterranean flavor, they offer the perfect balance of zesty, garlicky chicken and cool, refreshing cucumber yogurt sauce. Plus, it’s all made with wholesome, halal-friendly ingredients.
If you’ve ever wanted to recreate the magic of a Greek taverna at home, this Greek Chicken Gyros with Cucumber Tzatziki recipe is your answer.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: Ready in about 30 minutes with simple steps.
- Loaded with Flavor: Each bite delivers a burst of herbs, garlic, and tangy freshness.
- Healthy & Wholesome: Made with lean chicken, fresh veggies, and probiotic-rich Greek yogurt.
- Versatile Dinner Option: Great for wraps, bowls, or even salads!
Ingredients List
For the Chicken Marinade:
- 1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (halal-certified)
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp plain Greek yogurt
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar (alcohol-free)
- 1 ½ tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
For the Tzatziki Sauce:
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- ½ large cucumber, grated and drained
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill
- Salt and pepper to taste
For Serving:
- 4–6 soft pita breads (halal, no alcohol-based preservatives)
- Sliced red onion
- Chopped romaine lettuce
- Cherry tomatoes, halved
- Crumbled feta cheese (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Marinate the Chicken
Marinating is key to flavor-packed Greek Chicken Gyros with Cucumber Tzatziki.
- In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, vinegar, oregano, cumin, salt, and pepper.
- Add chicken and toss to coat well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours.
2. Prepare the Tzatziki Sauce
This creamy sauce brings a cool contrast to the warm spiced chicken.
- Grate cucumber and squeeze out excess water using a clean towel.
- In a bowl, mix yogurt, cucumber, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, dill, salt, and pepper.
- Chill in the fridge while you cook the chicken.
3. Cook the Chicken
Now for the main event of your Greek Chicken Gyros with Cucumber Tzatziki.
- Heat a skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat.
- Cook marinated chicken for 5–6 minutes on each side until golden and cooked through.
- Let rest for 5 minutes, then slice into strips.
4. Assemble the Gyros
- Warm pita bread in a dry skillet or microwave.
- Spread a generous spoonful of tzatziki over the pita.
- Layer with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and sliced chicken.
- Sprinkle with feta if desired and wrap it up.
Expert Tips
3 Expert Tips:
- Let the chicken rest before slicing—it keeps the juices in.
- Use thick Greek yogurt for the best tzatziki texture.
- Grate cucumber finely and squeeze out liquid to avoid a watery sauce.
3 Common Mistakes to Avoid:
- Skipping the marinade time—flavor needs time to develop.
- Using watery yogurt—it thins the tzatziki too much.
- Overcooking the chicken—dry chicken ruins the gyro experience.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
- Storage: Store chicken and tzatziki separately in airtight containers for up to 4 days in the fridge.
- Reheat: Warm chicken in a skillet or microwave before assembling gyros.
- Freezing: You can freeze the cooked chicken (not the tzatziki) for up to 2 months.
Nutritional Info (per serving)
- Calories: 420
- Protein: 32g
- Fat: 20g
- Carbs: 28g
- Sugar: 5g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sodium: 680mg
Serving Suggestions & Variations
Enjoy these Greek Chicken Gyros with Cucumber Tzatziki with:
- A side of lemon herb rice or orzo salad
- Fresh hummus and olives
- A Greek-style chopped salad
- Turn them into a bowl by replacing pita with quinoa or greens
Looking for a low-carb side or a complementary Mediterranean dish? Pair your Greek Chicken Gyros with Cucumber Tzatziki with a fresh salad or this delicious Mediterranean Ground Beef Stir Fry for a wholesome and balanced meal.
Conclusion
If you’re looking to bring Mediterranean flavor into your kitchen, these Greek Chicken Gyros with Cucumber Tzatziki are an easy, delicious, and halal-friendly dinner choice. Try them tonight, and don’t forget to leave a comment or tag us with your gyro creations!
FAQs
Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?
Yes, but thighs stay juicier. Breast works too—just don’t overcook.
What if I don’t have dill for tzatziki?
You can substitute fresh mint or parsley for a slightly different flavor.
Is the tzatziki dairy-free?
Not by default, but you can use dairy-free Greek-style yogurt.
Can I prep this ahead of time?
Absolutely. Marinate the chicken and make the tzatziki up to a day ahead.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
It can be—just use gluten-free pita bread.
Greek Chicken Gyros with Cucumber Tzatziki
Ingredients
- – 1 ½ lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs (halal)
- – 3 tbsp olive oil
- – 3 tbsp Greek yogurt
- – Juice of 1 lemon
- – 4 cloves garlic minced
- – 1 tbsp red wine vinegar alcohol-free
- – 1 ½ tsp dried oregano
- – 1 tsp ground cumin
- – 1 tsp salt
- – ½ tsp black pepper
**Tzatziki:**
- – 1 cup Greek yogurt
- – ½ cucumber grated and drained
- – 2 tbsp olive oil
- – 1 tbsp lemon juice
- – 2 cloves garlic minced
- – 1 tbsp fresh dill
- – Salt and pepper to taste
**Serving:**
- – 4–6 pita breads
- – Lettuce red onion, tomatoes
- – Feta cheese optional
Instructions
- Mix all marinade ingredients and coat chicken. Marinate for at least 30 mins.
- Grate cucumber, mix all tzatziki ingredients, chill.
- Cook chicken on medium-high heat until golden and cooked through.
- Warm pitas, layer tzatziki, chicken, and toppings.
Notes
– Use halal-certified ingredients.
– Tzatziki improves in flavor as it sits.
– Can be served in bowls instead of wraps. ### Serving Suggestions & Variations:
Serve with rice or salad. Swap chicken with lamb or falafel. ### Expert Tips:
– Let chicken rest before slicing.
– Drain cucumbers for thick tzatziki.
– Avoid overcooking to keep meat juicy. ### FAQs:
– Breast or thighs both work.
– Dill substitutes: mint or parsley.
– Make dairy-free with plant-based yogurt.
