These chicken gryos are the perfect summer meal. They come together in a snap and they are fresh, flavorful, light, and creamy.

A couple days ago I posted about the soft wrap bread that has changed my life. Don’t roll your eyes, I’m not being dramatic. It really has.

These divine gyros are what graced the soft wrap bread and the combination is fantastic. These gyros have been popping up all over the blogosphere and I am so glad I gave them a chance.

Wrapped chicken gyro on a black plate.

They come together in a snap (after marinating the chicken) and I can honestly say they are one of my favorite meals we’ve eaten all month. That’s saying a lot since I love food.

The chicken is extremely flavorful without being overpowering. And the tzatziki sauce? Oh, my heart. To die for.

Fresh, light, creamy. My husband said to me over dinner, “Why don’t you have a little gyro with your tzatziki sauce.” And of course I took it as a compliment. I love me some tzatziki (I just discovered that fact since this is my first time making it!).

All in all, this is a perfect summer meal. I’m making these again next week we loved them so much, and I suggest you do the same!

What To Serve With This:

Fresh fruit, or this Honey Lime Fruit Salad
Hummus with fresh vegetables
Cottage Cheese

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Chicken Gyros

4.95 stars (17 ratings)

Ingredients

For the tzatziki sauce:

  • 16 oz. plain yogurt, not fat free unless it is Oikos or Fage or another Greek-type yogurt
  • ½ hothouse cucumber or 1 regular cucumber, peeled and seeded (I used 1/2 of an English cucumber)
  • 2-3 cloves garlic, pressed through a garlic press (or finely minced)
  • 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
  • Salt and pepper
  • Squeeze of fresh lemon juice
  • Extra virgin olive oil

For the chicken:

  • 4 cloves garlic, smashed
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 heaping tablespoons plain yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1 ¼ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed

To assemble:

  • [Soft wrap bread], or pita bread
  • Fresh tomatoes, seeded and diced
  • Red onion, sliced thin

Instructions 

  • To make the tzatziki sauce, strain the yogurt using cheesecloth over a bowl. Let strain for several hours or overnight, if possible, to remove as much moisture as possible. (You won’t believe how much liquid drains from the yogurt – it makes the yogurt much thicker and creamier. If you want to splurge on Greek yogurt, like Oikos or Fage, you won’t need to strain it like this.)
  • Shred the cucumber. Wrap in a towel a squeeze to remove as much water as possible. Mix together the strained yogurt, shredded cucumber, garlic, red wine vinegar, salt and pepper to taste, and lemon juice. Drizzle lightly with olive oil. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
  • To prepare the chicken, combine the garlic, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, olive oil, yogurt, oregano, and salt and pepper to taste in a medium bowl. Whisk together until mixed well. Add the chicken pieces to the bowl and mix well to coat. Cover and refrigerate for about 1 hour.
  • Cook the chicken as desired, either in the skillet or with the broiler. (I sauted them in a hot skillet.) Once the chicken is completely cooked through, transfer to a plate and let rest for 5 minutes.
  • Heat pitas. Top with chicken, tzatziki sauce, diced tomatoes and sliced onions. Serve immediately.

Notes

Plan Ahead: keep in mind this recipe requires straining yogurt which may take overnight and marinating chicken which will take 1-2 hours so plan ahead!
Serving: 1 Gyro, Calories: 457kcal, Carbohydrates: 9g, Protein: 31g, Fat: 32g, Saturated Fat: 10g, Cholesterol: 122mg, Sodium: 158mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 6g
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Recipe Source: adapted slightly from Annie’s Eats (originally from Elly Says Opa!)