Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs for Mediterranean Chicken Gyros?

Yes — you can substitute chicken breasts for thighs in your Mediterranean Chicken Gyros. However, chicken breasts are leaner and tend to dry out faster, so you’ll want to shorten the cooking time and avoid over-cooking. Thighs are generally recommended because they stay juicy and absorb the yogurt marinade better, giving you more flavor and tenderness.

What’s the difference between a gyro and gyros wrap like this?

In classic terms, a “gyro” refers to meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie in the Mediterranean style, while the kitchen version — such as a chicken pita wrap — is a gyro-style sandwich or “gyros wrap”. Both deliver similar flavors (yogurt marinade, pita, veggies, tzatziki) but your home version uses simpler cooking methods and is fully gyro-inspired.

How should I store leftover chicken and pita so they stay fresh?

Store leftover components separately for best results. Keep the cooked marinated chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Store the pita bread or wraps in another container or bag so they stay soft. Assemble the gyro shortly before eating so toppings and sauce don’t make the bread soggy. When reheating the chicken, use gentle heat (skillet or oven) to preserve moisture.

Can I make Mediterranean Chicken Gyros gluten-free or vegan?

Absolutely. For gluten-free, swap out regular pita for gluten-free flatbread or use a lettuce wrap. For a vegan version, replace the chicken with grilled tofu, tempeh, or chickpeas, and use a dairy-free yogurt for the marinade plus a vegan tzatziki-style sauce made from cashew yogurt or coconut yogurt. These adaptations keep the wrap flavorful and fresh in line with gyro-style inspiration.

Do I really need a vertical spit or special equipment to make these at home?

No, you don’t need a full vertical rotisserie setup to make gyro-style wraps at home. You can simply marinate your chicken, then grill, bake or pan-sear it. The goal is that smoky-charred flavor and tender meat, not the exact rotisserie method.

Mediterranean Chicken Gyros – 5 Irresistible Flavors for Fresh Delight

Name: Mediterranean Chicken Gyros
Prep time: 1 h
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: 1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts); 1 cup plain Greek yogurt; 3 tablespoons olive oil; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 2 tablespoons lemon juice; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1 teaspoon paprika; ½ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon black pepper; 4 pita or flatbread wraps (warm and soft); 1 cup tzatziki sauce; 1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced; 1 cup cucumber, diced; ½ red onion, thinly sliced; ½ cup crumbled feta cheese; Fresh parsley or lettuce (optional)

Description

A bright, flavorful Mediterranean Chicken Gyros recipe with juicy yogurt-marinated chicken, creamy tzatziki sauce, and crisp fresh vegetables — the perfect balance of flavor and texture for a quick, healthy dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts)
1 cup plain Greek yogurt
3 tablespoons olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
4 pita or flatbread wraps (warm and soft)
1 cup tzatziki sauce
1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced
1 cup cucumber, diced
½ red onion, thinly sliced
½ cup crumbled feta cheese
Fresh parsley or lettuce (optional)

Cook Mode Keep your screen awake while you cook

Instructions

Whisk together yogurt, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper to create the marinade.
Add chicken and coat well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight for best flavor.
Grill, bake, or pan-sear chicken until golden and cooked through, about 5–6 minutes per side.
Let chicken rest, then slice thinly.
Warm pita bread and spread tzatziki sauce over each.
Add sliced chicken, cucumber, tomato, onion, and feta cheese.
Garnish with parsley or lettuce and serve immediately.

Notes

For extra flavor, marinate overnight.
If using chicken breasts, reduce cooking time slightly.
Store cooked chicken separately from pita to keep fresh for meal prep.

Prep Time: 1 hour
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Grilled
Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 wrap
Calories: 450
Sugar: 5
Sodium: 720
Fat: 20
Saturated Fat: 5
Unsaturated Fat: 13
Trans Fat: 0
Carbohydrates: 32
Fiber: 3
Protein: 38
Cholesterol: 110