Genuine Greek-Style Chicken Gyros Recipe for Your Kitchen

Sizzling street food memories flood back with this authentic chicken gyros recipe that captures the essence of Greek culinary magic.

Tender marinated chicken dances with vibrant Mediterranean spices, promising a taste adventure straight from the bustling streets of Athens.

Every bite tells a story of traditional flavors carefully balanced and lovingly prepared.

The secret lies in the perfect blend of herbs and marinades that infuse each slice of meat with irresistible charm.

Warm pita, crisp vegetables, and creamy tzatziki create a symphony of textures that transport you directly to a sunny Greek taverna.

Forget expensive restaurant tabs and master this mouthwatering dish in your own kitchen.

Let’s find out this simple yet spectacular recipe and bring the warmth of Greek cuisine to your dining table.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Calories: 427 kcal

Servings: 5

What You’ll Need for Authentic Chicken Gyros

• Boneless Chicken Thighs: Tender and juicy cut that absorbs marinade beautifully, providing rich flavor and succulent texture for gyros.

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Lemon Juice: Bright, zesty base that tenderizes chicken and adds Mediterranean brightness.
• Garlic: Aromatic powerhouse that infuses deep, pungent flavor into the meat.
• Dried Rosemary, Whole Coriander Seeds, Red Chili Flakes, Black Peppercorns: Robust spice blend creating complex, layered taste profile with earthy, citrusy, and spicy notes.
• Coarse Sea Salt: Enhances overall seasoning, drawing out natural chicken flavors and creating perfect salt balance.

• Half Onion: Provides additional aromatic foundation and potential garnish or accompaniment.
• Bamboo Skewer: Essential grilling tool for even cooking and traditional gyros presentation, allowing meat to cook uniformly and retain moisture.

Tools to Make Authentic Chicken Gyros with Ease

• Meat Mallet: Essential for tenderizing chicken thighs evenly and efficiently.
• Ziplock Bag: Perfect for protecting meat while pounding and keeping surfaces clean.
• Mortar & Pestle: Key for grinding spices and creating a fresh, aromatic marinade.
• Bamboo Skewers: Crucial for assembling and stabilizing chicken stack for rotisserie-style cooking.
• Cookie Tray: Provides stable surface for baking chicken in the oven.
• Sharp Knife: Needed for slicing cooked chicken into thin, delectable pieces.
• Measuring Spoons: Help ensure precise spice quantities for authentic flavor.
• Large Onion: Serves as a natural base and support for skewering chicken.
• Mixing Bowl: Useful for combining marinade ingredients.
• Cling Film: Helps seal and marinate chicken effectively.

How to Cook Authentic Chicken Gyros

• Flavor Explosion Preparation

Break down chicken thighs into tender, uniform pieces using a meat mallet. Create a powerful spice blend combining earthy paprika, fragrant coriander, and zesty peppercorns with aromatic rosemary and spicy chili flakes.

• Marinade Magic

Crush fresh garlic into the spice mixture, transforming it into a vibrant paste. Splash in bright lemon juice and smooth olive oil, creating a tantalizing coating that will infuse the chicken with incredible depth.

• Marination Transformation

Generously massage the spice mixture into each chicken piece. Wrap securely and let the flavors mingle and dance in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight, allowing every fiber to become completely saturated.

• Skewer Technique

Thread marinated chicken carefully onto a sturdy skewer, building a beautiful tower of seasoned meat. Position vertically to ensure even cooking and maximum flavor development.

• Oven Roasting Perfection

Bake in a preheated oven until the chicken achieves a golden-brown exterior and reaches safe internal temperature. The result will be juicy, intensely flavored meat with crispy edges.

• Serving Celebration

Allow meat to rest briefly, then slice into thin, succulent strips. Serve alongside cool tzatziki, warm pita, and fresh accompaniments for a Mediterranean feast that brings pure joy to the table.

Flavor Tips and Tweaks for Authentic Chicken Gyros

• Let the spices sit with the chicken for maximum taste infusion. Overnight marinating allows each seasoning to deeply penetrate the meat, creating an explosion of Mediterranean flavors.
• No professional rotisserie? No problem! Use a vertical skewering method with an onion base to mimic traditional Greek cooking techniques, ensuring even heat distribution and juicy meat.
• Experiment with different herb combinations like oregano, thyme, or za'atar to personalize your gyro seasoning. Fresh herbs can elevate the overall flavor profile dramatically.
• Always use a meat thermometer to guarantee perfectly cooked chicken. Hitting the 165°F internal temperature ensures both safety and succulent texture without drying out the meat.
• Leftover gyro chicken stays fresh in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of olive oil to maintain moisture and restore its delicious Mediterranean character.

How to Serve Authentic Chicken Gyros Creatively

• Mediterranean Platter Paradise: Arrange sliced gyros on a large wooden board with colorful Greek olives, feta cheese crumbles, cucumber slices, and warm pita bread for a stunning shared meal experience.
• Street Food Style Wrap: Roll thin chicken slices inside soft pita bread, add crisp lettuce, diced tomatoes, and generous tzatziki sauce for an authentic Greek street food sensation that bursts with fresh flavors.
• Salad Bowl Delight: Transform gyros into a light, protein-packed salad by placing thinly sliced chicken over mixed greens, sprinkle with red onion rings, kalamata olives, and drizzle with homemade tzatziki dressing for a refreshing lunch option.
• Mezze Feast Centerpiece: Create a Mediterranean-style appetizer spread by presenting gyros alongside hummus, dolmades, grilled vegetables, and warm flatbread, perfect for social gatherings and sharing delicious bites with friends.

Planning and Storing Authentic Chicken Gyros for Later

• Smart Storage Solutions
• Refrigeration Strategy: Store marinated chicken in an airtight container for up to 3 days, keeping flavors locked in and preventing cross-contamination with other ingredients.
• Freezer-Friendly Technique: Wrap individual sliced gyros portions in plastic wrap, then place inside freezer bags for convenient 2-month storage without compromising taste quality.
• Leftover Magic: Reheat refrigerated chicken slices in a skillet with minimal olive oil, ensuring moisture retention and maintaining the original juicy texture of the meat.
• Sauce Separation Trick: Keep tzatziki sauce in a separate sealed container in the refrigerator's coldest section, which helps maintain its creamy consistency for up to 5 days without ingredient separation.

Mouthwatering Chicken Gyros Recipe

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4.6 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Greek street cuisine shines through this authentic chicken gyros recipe, delivering Mediterranean flavors with ease. Crisp pita, marinated chicken, and creamy tzatziki create a delicious meal you will savor from first bite to last.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1.32 lbs (0.6 kg) boneless chicken thighs
• ¾ cup (180 ml) extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) finely chopped garlic
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) lemon juice
• 2.5 tbsps (37.5 ml) dried rosemary
• 2.5 tbsps (37.5 ml) whole coriander seeds
• 2.5 tbsps (37.5 ml) red chili flakes
• 1 tsp (5 ml) black peppercorns
• ½ large onion
• 1 bamboo skewer
• coarse sea salt to taste

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Instructions

1. Meat Preparation: Pound chicken thighs between plastic wrap to create uniform 1/2-inch thickness, ensuring even marinade absorption and consistent cooking.
2. Spice Blend Creation: Grind paprika, coriander seeds, black peppercorns, rosemary, chili flakes, and sea salt into a coarse powder using a mortar and pestle, releasing aromatic essential oils.
3. Marinade Development: Mix ground spices with minced garlic, extra virgin olive oil, and lemon juice, transforming the blend into a vibrant, flavor-packed liquid marinade.
4. Marination Process: Thoroughly coat each chicken thigh with marinade, wrap individually in plastic film, and refrigerate for minimum 2 hours or overnight to allow deep flavor infusion.
5. Roasting Technique: Construct a vertical roasting setup by securing an onion half as a base and threading marinated chicken thighs onto a sturdy bamboo skewer in a compact arrangement.
6. Oven Roasting: Position skewered chicken in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C), roasting for 55-65 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
7. Resting and Serving: Allow roasted meat to rest 10-15 minutes, enabling juice redistribution, then slice into thin diagonal strips and serve immediately with cool tzatziki sauce.

Notes

• Maximize Marinade Absorption: Pound chicken thighs evenly to create a uniform surface, allowing deeper flavor penetration and more consistent cooking.
• Grind Spices Fresh: Use a mortar and pestle to crush whole spices moments before marinating, releasing maximum aromatic oils and intensifying flavor complexity.
• Master Moisture Retention: Let chicken rest after roasting to allow internal juices to redistribute, ensuring each slice remains succulent and tender.
• Temperature Precision Matters: Use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches exactly 165°F (74°C), guaranteeing food safety without overcooking and maintaining juicy texture.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Greek

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 427
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 34 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 25 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 6 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 29 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg