Greek Chicken Gyros (Authentic) - The Modern Nonna (2024)

Takeout WHO??? Once you try these homemade Greek Chicken Gyros, you’ll never want to order Greek food from a restaurant again 😌.

Chicken Gyros and I actually go way back. Although I am Bulgarian 🇧🇬, my family and I lived on the Island of Crete for many years following my Dad’s Olympic career in water polo. While living there, I experienced true Greek 🇬🇷 home cooking. My mom learned how to make authentic Greek dishes from the women in Greece, which inspired most of the Greek dishes I cook and share on my page.

Recently, I saw a video of my friend Maria (@foodbymaria) using her vertical gyro spit, and it immediately inspired me to dust mine off 🌬️, which had been sitting in my basem*nt. I am happy I did because I created the most incredible homemade Greek Chicken Gyro recipe that transported me right back to my childhood and will transport you to those cobblestone streets surrounded by whitewashed buildings glistening under the Mediterranean sun ☀️ as well!

Why You’ll Love Greek Chicken Gyros

When I say this is the juiciest 💦 chicken that will ever grace your mouth, I mean it! Juicer than girl’s night gossip, these Greek Chicken Gyros are meticulously seasoned and roasted to perfection. The chicken is marinated in a combination of savory, tangy and herbaceous flavours, stacked on a spit and slow-roasted until the exterior develops a slight caramelized char while the inside remains tender and succulent 🤤. Serve this Greek Chicken Gyro on a warm pita with creamy tzatziki or on top of a salad or bowl – I promise you, you’ll never want to make chicken thighs any other way!

What is a Gyro?

A Greek Gyro, or simply “Gyro,” is a popular Greek 🇬🇷 dish made of seasoned meat (often beef, lamb, pork, or chicken) cooked on a vertical rotisserie. The meat is then thinly sliced and served wrapped in warm pita bread, with toppings such as tomato 🍅, onion, and tzatziki sauce – a creamy yogurt and cucumber sauce. Sometimes, Gyros also include lettuce, french fries 🍟, or other veggies.

The word “Gyro” comes from the Greek word for “turn” or “rotate,” describing the method used to cook the meat. The meat is stacked in a cone shape on a vertical spit, where it slowly cooks and browns as it rotates. This method allows the meat to cook evenly while remaining juicy 💦, resulting in the most tender and flavorful meat.

How to Prepare Greek Chicken Gyros

🔥 Preheat the oven to 425F (220C).

🧄 In a bowl, mix chicken, olive oil, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt, lemon zest, and oregano. Marinate for at least one hour.

🐔 Thread marinated chicken thighs onto a Vertical Gyro Spit Plate, rotating each one opposite from the last. Cover the top thigh with a small piece of foil to prevent burning.

🧅 If you don’t have a Vertical Gyro Oven Plate, create your own spit by cutting an onion in half, placing it on a baking sheet lined with parchment or foil, and positioning two wooden skewers vertically into the onion.

💦 Place the gyro plate in the oven and add water or stock to the base of the plate for the sauce.

♨️ Bake for 1-1.5 hours or until fully cooked.

🥗 Remove from oven, let it rest, and then cut.

Variations and Substitutions for Greek Chicken Gyros

Feel free to mix and match these variations to create your own twist on this Greek Chicken Gyros recipe! Don’t forget to let me know in the comments how it turns out!

1. Instead of chicken thighs, you can use other meats like lamb, pork, or even beef. You may need to adjust the cooking time accordingly based on the type of meat used.
2. Experiment with different marinade ingredients such as 🍋 lemon juice, yogurt, vinegar, paprika, or cumin to add different flavors to the gyro.
3. Mix up the spice blend by adding or substituting spices such as paprika, cumin, coriander, or thyme.
4. Get creative with your gyro toppings and serve with chopped 🍅 tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, feta cheese, or pickled vegetables.

Best Served With

• My Easy Greek Bowl
• Some Easiest Most Delicious Tzatziki
• My tasty Greek Lemon Potatoes
• A beautiful Greek Salad Feta Board
• Traditional pita bread or in 🥬 lettuce wraps for a low-carb option.

Common Questions