🥙 Greek-Style Chicken Gyro with Pita and Tzatziki

Share

Juicy marinated chicken, soft homemade pita, and creamy tzatziki sauce make the perfect combination for a delicious gyro, easy to prepare at home, and ideal for lunch or dinner.
Every bite offers a balance of meat, vegetables, and fresh sauce, as well the pita stays soft, and the chicken remains tender and flavorful.
This recipe gives you the complete classic Greek gyro experience.

Chicken Marinade

Ingredients (for 1.5–2 kg / 3–4 lbs chicken):

• 200 g (¾ cup) plain Greek yogurt
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp paprika (sweet or smoked)
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• ½ tsp ground coriander
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp salt
• Optional: pinch of chili flakes

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, whisk together yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and spices.
2. Add the brined, patted-dry chicken and coat well.
3. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours, ideally overnight for maximum flavor.
4. Cook on a grill, skillet, or oven until golden and cooked through (internal temp 75°C / 165°F).
5. Slice thinly for serving.

Homemade Pita Bread (makes 8 pitas)

Ingredients:

• 500 g (4 cups) all-purpose flour
• 7 g (1 packet) instant dry yeast (or 25 g fresh yeast)
• 300 ml (1 ¼ cups) warm water
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 ½ tsp salt

Instructions

1. Activate yeast with warm water and sugar 5–10 min (skip if using instant yeast).
2. Mix flour and salt, add yeast mixture and olive oil. Knead until smooth and elastic.
3. Let dough rise in an oiled bowl for 1 hour, or until doubled.
4. Divide into 8 balls, flatten into discs 4–5 mm thick.
5. Cook on Stovetop: 1–2 min per side in a hot skillet, or bake in the oven: 250°C (480°F) for 2–3 min.
6. Wrap in a clean towel to stay soft.

Tzatziki Sauce

Ingredients

• 200 g (¾ cup) Greek yogurt
• ½ cucumber, grated and drained
• 1–2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• ½ tsp salt
• 1–2 tsp chopped fresh dill
• Pinch black pepper

Instructions

1. Mix all ingredients thoroughly.
2. Chill 30 min before serving to blend flavors.

Assemble Your Gyro

1. Warm the pita
2. Add chicken, tzatziki, tomato , onion , and optionally fries
3. Roll or fold and serve immediately.