Chicken Gyros (Souvlaki)

If there’s one thing that instantly transports me to Greece, it’s the taste of a warm, freshly made gyro.

Imagine tender, marinated chicken wrapped in a pita, topped with tasty tomato, onion, and a generous dollop of tzatziki.

I love making these Greek Chicken Gyros at home because they’re simple to prepare and perfect for a casual dinner with friends. Plus, there’s something fun about piling everything onto a pita and digging in.

Why you’ll love these Greek Chicken Gyros

These gyros are all about simplicity and big flavours. The chicken is marinated in a mix of lemon, garlic, and spices while the tzatziki brings a cool, tangy freshness. Best of all, it’s a great way to bring the taste of the Mediterranean to your kitchen without much fuss!

Top tips

• Use Greek-Style Yogurt: Opt for full-fat Greek yogurt for the tzatziki. Its rich, creamy texture not only enhances the flavour but also helps tenderise the chicken.
• Boost with a Greek Salad: For a refreshing and vibrant side, consider pairing your gyros with a classic Greek salad. The crisp vegetables and tangy feta complement the flavours of the gyros and make for a well-rounded meal.

What goes in my Greek Chicken Gyros

Chicken thigh fillets – Juicy and flavourful, chicken thigh fillets are perfect for absorbing the spices in the marinade and staying tender when cooked.

Marinade:

• Garlic cloves – Adds a bold, savoury depth to the marinade.
• Greek yoghurt – Helps tenderise the chicken while adding a creamy, tangy flavour.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Keeps the chicken moist and rich.
• Paprika – Adds a warm, smoky flavour and a hint of colour to the marinade.
• Cumin – Gives the marinade a subtle, spicy warmth.
• Lemon juice – Gives the marinade a fresh acidity.

Tzatziki:

• Garlic clove – Lends a subtle, savoury kick that elevates the freshness of the tzatziki.

• Cucumber – Adds a cool, refreshing crunch that complements the chicken.

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Provides a smooth texture to the tzatziki.

• Greek Yoghurt – The creamy base of tzatziki, it’s tangy and complements the garlic and cucumber.

• Lemon juice – Brightens the flavors in the tzatziki.

Chicken Gyros (Souvlaki)

Servings

6

servings

Prep time

30

minutes

Cooking time

20

minutes

Ingredients

• 1kg skinless chicken thigh fillets

• Marinade:

• 3 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 cup Greek yoghurt

• 1 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil

• 1 tbsp paprika

• 1 tbsp cumin

• 1 tsp salt

• 3 tbsp lemon juice

• Tzatziki:

• 1 cucumber, grated using box grater and juice squeezed out

• 1 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil

• 1 cup Greek Yoghurt

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

• 1 garlic clove, minced

• Salt & pepper, to taste

• To serve:

• 4-6 pita breads

• Tomatoes, sliced

• Cucumber, sliced

• Red onion, sliced

• Lettuce

Directions

• Combine the chicken and marinade ingredients and set aside in fridge for 30 minutes.
• Make the tzatziki dip by mixing all tzatziki ingredients then set aside in fridge until ready to use.
• Cook chicken in a pan over medium high-heat. Cook for 5-7 minutes per side or until done.
• Slice the cooked chicken fillets.
• Warm up a pita in a fry pan, spread with tzatziki, and fill with chicken, tomatoes, cucumber, lettuce and red onion.