Greek Style Chicken Gyros

These delicious Greek-style chicken gyros are inspired by the ones served at Honey & Smoke, a delicious Middle Eastern restaurant in the heart of London. My version is loaded with homemade tzatziki, chargrilled chicken, fresh tomato salad and crispy potato stick crisps – because who wants to deep fry on a weeknight?!

Table of Contents

• Greek-Style Chicken Gyros: A Perfect Midweek Feast
• Ingredient Breakdown
• Marinating the Chicken: Flavour from the Start
• Tzatziki: Creamy, Cool, and Garlicky
• Tomato Salad: A Burst of Freshness
• Cooking the Chicken: Chargrilled or Oven-Roasted
• Potato Stick Crisps: The Secret Crunch
• Assembling the Greek Style Chicken Gyros
• Why This Greek Style Chicken Gyros Recipe Works
• Make These Greek Style Chicken Gyros Your Own

Greek-Style Chicken Gyros: A Perfect Midweek Feast

There’s something undeniably satisfying about homemade Greek-style chicken gyros. The combination of juicy, marinated chicken, tangy tzatziki, and a bright tomato salad wrapped in a soft, fluffy flatbread makes for a meal that feels indulgent yet refreshing. And while it might sound complicated, this version keeps things simple and weeknight-friendly. The secret weapon? Crispy potato stick crisps — all the crunch, none of the fuss of deep frying!

In this post, I’ll walk you through how to make these delicious Greek-style chicken gyros, breaking down the ingredients and showing you how each element comes together. Let’s dive into the recipe.

Ingredient Breakdown

• Chicken thigh fillets: Chicken thighs are perfect for gyros — they’re juicy, flavourful, and remain tender after grilling.
• Greek yoghurt: Used in both the chicken marinade and tzatziki, Greek yoghurt adds tang and tenderness to the chicken and creaminess to the sauce.
• Garlic: Freshly minced garlic gives a strong, aromatic base to both the chicken and tzatziki.
• Extra-virgin olive oil: Rich and fruity, this oil not only enhances the flavour of the chicken marinade and salad but also adds authenticity.
• Lemon: The acidity from lemon juice brightens up the chicken and tzatziki.
• Dried oregano: A classic Greek herb, oregano brings an earthy, slightly peppery note to the marinade.
• Ground cumin: Adds a hint of warmth and depth to the chicken, balancing out the brightness of the lemon.
• Cucumber: Grated cucumber brings freshness to the tzatziki, adding a cooling contrast to the grilled chicken.
• Cherry tomatoes: Sweet and juicy, cherry tomatoes form the base of a simple yet flavour-packed salad.
• Banana shallot: Mild and slightly sweet, banana shallot adds a subtle onion flavour to the tomato salad without overpowering the dish.
• Flat-leaf parsley: Fresh parsley adds a burst of greenery and light herbal flavour to the tomato salad.
• Greek-style flatbreads: Soft, pillowy flatbreads are perfect for wrapping up all the gyros components. Shop-bought is absolutely fine, but if you fancy making your own, you can try your hand at my Flatbreads recipe.
• Potato stick crisps: These add the perfect amount of crunch without the need to fry potatoes — a clever shortcut that keeps things easy and quick.

Marinating the Chicken: Flavour from the Start

The key to juicy, flavour-packed chicken gyros lies in the marinade. A simple mix of Greek yoghurt, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, oregano, and cumin creates a tangy, aromatic base that infuses the chicken with flavour. Greek yoghurt, in particular, plays an important role in tenderising the meat, keeping it succulent as it grills. Don’t skip the marinating time — 30 minutes is the minimum, but if you can, leave it for an hour. This gives the chicken time to soak up all the flavours, ensuring every bite is delicious.

Tzatziki: Creamy, Cool, and Garlicky

No gyro is complete without tzatziki. This creamy cucumber yoghurt dip is essential for adding both flavour and texture to the gyro. The trick to great tzatziki is draining the cucumber properly. Cucumber has a high water content, so squeezing out the excess moisture ensures your tzatziki stays thick and rich, not watery.

To make it, grate the cucumber and wring out as much water as you can using a tea towel. Then mix it with Greek yoghurt, garlic, olive oil, and lemon juice. Season it generously with salt and pepper — tzatziki can handle a good pinch of both. The result is a cooling, tangy sauce that perfectly complements the warm spices of the chicken.

Tomato Salad: A Burst of Freshness

Gyros are all about balance, and the bright, juicy tomato salad provides just that. A simple mix of cherry tomatoes, finely chopped banana shallot, parsley, and extra-virgin olive oil, this salad adds a burst of freshness to the dish. The mild sweetness of the tomatoes, the subtle onion flavour of the shallot, and the herbaceous parsley work beautifully together. And because the salad is so simple, the quality of the ingredients really shines through. Use the ripest tomatoes you can find for the best flavour.

Cooking the Chicken: Chargrilled or Oven-Roasted

Once the chicken has marinated, it’s time to cook. Ideally, you’ll want to use a griddle pan to get those lovely charred lines, which add flavour and texture. Simply grease the pan with a little vegetable oil and cook the chicken for about 6 to 8 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of the fillets. The aim is to cook the chicken through while keeping it juicy.

If you don’t have a griddle pan or want to keep things a bit more hands-off, you can roast the chicken instead. Preheat your oven to 220°C and cook the chicken for around 20 minutes or until done. Roasting works just as well and requires minimal effort, making it a great option for busier nights.

Potato Stick Crisps: The Secret Crunch

Now, let’s talk about the crispy potato stick crisps. These might not be traditional, but they’re a clever and easy way to add crunch to your gyros without the hassle of deep frying. They’re crispy, salty, and a bit indulgent — everything you want when biting into a gyro. You can find these ready-made in most supermarkets, making this step an absolute breeze.

Assembling the Greek Style Chicken Gyros

Once everything is prepped and cooked, it’s time for the fun part — assembly! Start by heating your flatbreads according to the package instructions. You want them soft and pliable, perfect for wrapping around all the fillings.

Spread a generous amount of tzatziki onto each flatbread, then top with slices of the chargrilled or roasted chicken. Add a spoonful of the fresh tomato salad and finish with a big handful of potato stick crisps for that essential crunch. Roll it up, wrap it in some parchment paper if you want that classic street food feel, and dig in!

Why This Greek Style Chicken Gyros Recipe Works

This Greek-style chicken gyros recipe works because it’s a beautiful balance of flavours and textures. The chicken is tangy and aromatic, the tzatziki is cool and creamy, the tomato salad adds freshness, and the potato crisps bring crunch. Everything is wrapped up in a warm, soft flatbread, making each bite a satisfying combination of ingredients.

It’s also a versatile dish. You can chargrill the chicken for that authentic street-food feel or roast it in the oven for a simpler, hands-off approach. The tzatziki and tomato salad are classic pairings that can be made ahead, making assembly quick and easy once the chicken is cooked.

Make These Greek Style Chicken Gyros Your Own

One of the best things about this recipe is how customisable it is. You can easily swap out ingredients depending on what you have on hand or your preferences. Try adding grilled vegetables like courgette or aubergine for an extra layer of flavour. Or, if you prefer a lighter option, you could replace the potato crisps with a handful of fresh salad greens for added crunch and freshness. The possibilities are endless, and that’s the beauty of homemade gyros.

In conclusion, these Greek-style chicken gyros are the perfect way to enjoy a delicious, homemade version of a classic street food dish. They’re easy to make, packed with flavour, and offer a satisfying combination of textures. Best of all, they’re adaptable to your tastes and weeknight needs. So, gather your ingredients, fire up the griddle, and enjoy this Greek-inspired feast!