Ridiculously Good Chicken Gyros

Gyros (pronounced ‘yee-ros’) are probably up there with not only my favourite Greek food of all time, but one of my favourite dishes in general. You’ve probably seen gyros with a range of different meats (pork, lamb, beef), but today we’re using chicken. Whilst they might look daunting to make, they’re actually incredibly simple. There’s a few tips and tricks to making the perfect chicken gyro and today that’s exactly what we’re discussing. Follow me…

Chicken Gyro Meat

You might have seen gyros with shaved meat. Whilst that’s arguably more authentic, today we’re going to mimic that by grilling up some chicken thighs.

Pounding the chicken

Pounding the thighs is an extra step, but it’s a step I highly recommend taking. This will not only tenderize the meat, but it’ll also ensure the thighs cook more evenly. To pound the chicken all you need is cling film and a rolling pin, mallet or even a heavy pan!

Chicken Gyro Seasoning

This is where we really want to pack in the flavour. My favourite seasonings to use are oregano for that classic Greek flavour, smoked paprika to bring out the smokiness in the char from the grill, and some ground coriander just to deepen the flavour. I also add in a good helping of fresh garlic. I’m telling you, the smell of your kitchen as these cook is going to be incredible!

Chicken Gyro Yogurt Marinade

Some recipes use an oil based marinade, however I much prefer a yogurt based marinade. Not only will the yogurt help tenderize the meat, but I find it helps bind the oil, lemon juice and seasoning. I recommend marinating the chicken for at least 4 hours. Process shots: rest chicken on chopping board (photo 1), lay over cling film (photo 2), pound to even thickness (photo 3), add marinade ingredients to bowl (photo 4), add chicken (photo 5), combine, cover and marinate (photo 6).

Grilled Chicken Gyro

A griddle pan is perfect for cooking the chicken because it allows you to pick up a nice bit of char. You also get those fancy grill marks too which is always nice! If you don’t own a griddle pan (or a BBQ), then try and find a heavy bottom pan like a cast iron skillet. Regular pans will work, you just might not get as good of a char.

Can I use Chicken Breast instead?

Chicken thighs are fattier and juicier than chicken breast, meaning they can withstand much higher heat before drying out. Chicken breast isn’t great for this recipe because it dries out by the time you get it charred on the outside. One other thing to quickly mention is I recommend bringing the thighs close to room temp before frying, just so they cook evenly and don’t go chewy. Process shots: add chicken to hot oiled griddle pan (photo 1), fry both sides until lightly charred and cooked right through the centre (photo 2).

Chicken Gyro Fillings

These will vary somewhat from recipe to recipe, here’s exactly how I like mine:

Flatbread (or pita bread) – I prefer flatbread because it’s more pliable. You can also make your own Flatbreads if you fancy! Tzatziki – An absolute must! Homemade Tzatziki recommend. Tomato and onion – You could also add romaine lettuce, cucumber and parsley, but I find just tomato and red onion is perfect. Chicken – Sliced into thin strips. Fries – These are optional (yet so necessary). Here I’ve added some Homemade Greek Fries!

Serving Chicken Gyros

This recipe will offer 4 large gyros if you’re using big flatbreads, or 6 smaller ones. You might find depending on the size of the flatbread they’re quite tricky to roll. To be honest it’s more of a fold, and some parchment paper can help you with that. These are pretty hearty by themselves (especially if you’re adding in the fries!) so I don’t tend to add any Sides, but you can if you want to go wild! For another delicious Greek recipe check out my Smash Beef Gyros and Chicken Souvlaki! Alrighty, let’s tuck into the full recipe for these chicken gyros shall we?!