Grilled Chicken Gyros with Tzatziki Sauce

Grilled Chicken Gyros with Tzatziki Sauce are a delicious and fresh meal that brings a little taste of Greece right to your table. Juicy grilled chicken, warm pita bread, crunchy…

By Willow • November 10, 2025 • Reading time: 6 min

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Grilled Chicken Gyros with Tzatziki Sauce are a delicious and fresh meal that brings a little taste of Greece right to your table. Juicy grilled chicken, warm pita bread, crunchy veggies, and a creamy, cooling tzatziki sauce all come together for a perfect balance of flavors and textures.

I love making these gyros for a simple weeknight dinner because they’re easy to put together but feel special and homemade. The tzatziki sauce, with its tangy yogurt and fresh cucumber, always steals the show for me—it’s like a fresh, zesty kiss on every bite of the chicken and veggies.

My favorite way to enjoy these gyros is with a side of crisp salad or some roasted potatoes. I find that wrapping everything up in the soft pita makes the meal fun and casual, perfect for sharing with friends or family. Plus, leftovers make great lunch wraps the next day!

Key Ingredients & Substitutions

Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts work great for juicy, quick-grilled meat. You can swap for chicken thighs if you want more flavor and tenderness, just adjust grilling time slightly.

Greek Yogurt: Full-fat Greek yogurt is best for creamy tzatziki. If you want a lighter option, try low-fat yogurt but strain it first to thicken.

Cucumber: English cucumber is preferred because it has fewer seeds and is less watery. You can use regular cucumber but be sure to remove seeds and squeeze out moisture to avoid a watery sauce.

Pita Bread: Soft pita is the traditional wrap. Feel free to use flatbreads, naan, or even warmed tortillas as alternatives.

How Do You Make the Perfect Tzatziki Sauce?

The key to creamy, fresh tzatziki is removing cucumber water and mixing well. Here’s how I do it:

• Peel and grate cucumber finely.
• Place grated cucumber in a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth and squeeze out as much water as you can.
• Combine cucumber with Greek yogurt, minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, dill, salt, and pepper.
• Let the sauce chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to meld flavors.

This step keeps the sauce thick and stops it from becoming watery on the gyro. Using fresh dill really lifts the flavor but if you don’t have it, mint or parsley works well too.

What’s the Best Way to Grill Chicken for Juicy, Flavorful Gyros?

Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes but up to 2 hours for the best taste. Here are some tips:

• Use a mix of spices like oregano, cumin, and smoked paprika for that classic flavor.
• Pat the chicken dry before grilling to get nice char marks.
• Grill on medium-high heat for about 5-7 minutes per side.
• Let the chicken rest 5 minutes after grilling so juices redistribute.

This results in tender, juicy, and flavorful chicken perfect for your gyros. Slice it thinly so it easily fits inside the pita with all the toppings.

Equipment You’ll Need

• Grill or grill pan – gets those nice char marks and cooks chicken evenly.
• Mixing bowls – perfect for marinating chicken and mixing tzatziki sauce.
• Grater or box grater – for finely grating cucumber to make smooth tzatziki.
• Knife and cutting board – for slicing chicken, veggies, and herbs safely.
• Kitchen towel or cheesecloth – useful to squeeze out excess cucumber water for thick tzatziki.

Flavor Variations & Add-Ins

• Swap chicken for lamb or beef strips for a traditional gyro taste.
• Add crumbled feta cheese for extra tang and creaminess.
• Include roasted red peppers or grilled eggplant for a smoky veggie twist.
• Mix fresh mint into the tzatziki to make it more refreshing and bright.

How to Make Grilled Chicken Gyros with Tzatziki Sauce

Ingredients You’ll Need:

For the Chicken and Marinade:

• 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

For the Tzatziki Sauce:

• 1 cup Greek yogurt (full-fat preferred)
• 1/2 English cucumber, peeled, seeded, and finely grated
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

To Assemble:

• 4 pieces of pita bread or flatbreads
• 1 medium tomato, sliced or diced
• 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cucumber, thinly sliced
• Fresh parsley or dill, chopped (for garnish)
• Lemon wedges, for serving

How Much Time Will You Need?

Total time is about 45 minutes to 1 hour. Preparing and marinating the chicken takes around 10 minutes plus at least 30 minutes to marinate for great flavor. Preparing the tzatziki sauce takes 10 minutes, and grilling the chicken along with warming the pita breads takes another 10-15 minutes.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Marinate the Chicken:

In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, oregano, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Place the chicken breasts in a resealable bag or shallow dish and pour this marinade over them. Seal or cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours for more flavor.

2. Prepare the Tzatziki Sauce:

Grate the cucumber and squeeze out any excess water using a clean kitchen towel or fine sieve. In a bowl, mix the Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, minced garlic, chopped dill, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Cover the bowl and refrigerate until it’s time to assemble your gyros.

3. Grill the Chicken:

Heat your grill or grill pan to medium-high. Remove the chicken from the marinade, then cook for about 5-7 minutes per side, until nicely charred and fully cooked. Let the chicken rest a few minutes to keep it juicy, then slice into strips.

4. Warm the Pita Bread:

Warm your pita or flatbreads on the grill or in a pan for 1-2 minutes on each side until they’re soft and slightly charred.

5. Assemble the Gyros:

Lay each pita flat and add layers of sliced chicken, tomato, cucumber, and red onion. Spoon generous amounts of the tzatziki sauce on top. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or dill.

6. Serve:

Fold the pita around the filling and serve immediately with lemon wedges for an extra burst of freshness!

Can I Use Frozen Chicken for This Recipe?

Yes, you can! Just make sure to fully thaw the chicken in the refrigerator overnight before marinating and grilling. This helps it cook evenly and absorb the flavors better.

How Long Can I Store Leftover Tzatziki Sauce?

Store leftover tzatziki in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Give it a good stir before serving, as it may separate slightly.

Can I Make the Gyros Ahead of Time?

You can marinate the chicken and prepare the tzatziki sauce a day ahead. Grill the chicken right before serving and assemble the gyros fresh for the best texture and flavor.

What Can I Use Instead of Pita Bread?

If you don’t have pita, you can use flatbreads, naan, or even warmed tortillas as a tasty alternative to hold your gyro fillings.