These easy greek Chicken Gyro Skewers are perfect for your next stress-free weeknight dinner! Tender, bite-sized chicken is coated in a greek-seasoned lemon and yogurt marinade and cooked on skewers. They are incredibly flavorful, tender and so simple to make!
These Chicken Gyro Skewers are the perfect high protein start to any nutritious, greek-inspired meal. There is so much flavor packed into each bite that I love eating them by themselves! But they’re also perfect for greek pockets, bowls, flatbreads or salads. I love to make several batches of this chicken and use the leftovers for a variety of meals for my family during busy weeks. Greek food is always a win in our home and this chicken recipe is never one to get wasted!
Why I LOVE this recipe!
- Flavorful start to a high protein dinner – This recipe is anything but bland. It is flavorful, well seasoned and so tender. It’s the perfect start to so many greek inspired meals!
- Easy – The marinade for this greek chicken only requires a few ingredients. And no chopping!
- Ready in 30 minutes – 10 minutes of prep and 20 minutes of cooking time. While it’s cooking, prepare your sides, and your well balanced dinner can be ready in 30 minutes!
- Crowd-pleaser – This chicken truly is a crowd pleaser! Even the pickiest eaters will be asking for seconds. It’s so good!
What is Gyro?
Gyro is a classic greek street food made with well-seasoned meat, most often lamb, layered in a cone shape and roasted on a vertical spit. The meat is thinly sliced and served in a warm pita wrap with various greek toppings.
Recipe Notes
This Chicken Gyro Skewers recipe is as simple as promised! Just 10 minutes of prep, then place it in the oven for a family friendly greek-style dinner.
In this section I am going to go through a few tips and tricks I use for how to make Chicken Gyro Skewers to get the absolute best and most delicious results.
Make sure to scroll to the bottom for the FULL recipe card.
Ingredients + Substitutions
- Chicken thighs – 2 lbs of boneless, skinless chicken thighs are about 6 thighs. You could use boneless, skinless chicken breasts to cut calories, but the thighs are more flavorful.
- Greek yogurt – Yogurt is an exceptional tenderizer. It breaks down protein gently, resulting in tender, juicy meat. Any brand works! If you don’t have greek yogurt, you can use a full fat plain yogurt.
- Greek seasoning – Grab your favorite brand from the store or try making your own homemade greek seasoning blend! I like to make a large batch and store the extra in a jar to keep on hand.
- Red wine vinegar – This adds a bright flavor, but also helps to tenderize the chicken.
- Garlic– You can press fresh garlic, or use jarred, minced garlic for ease.
- Lemon– You’ll use the juice from the lemon. Discard the rest.
Make sure to see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full quantities and ingredients list.
Recipe Variations
If you love this recipe as much as we do and want some quick ways to change it up for variety, these little tips will do the trick!
- Lighter Chicken Gyro Skewers– Boneless, skinless chicken breasts can be substituted for the chicken thighs to offer a lighter version.
- Dairy Free Marinade – Feel free to omit the greek yogurt for a dairy free version. You could use dairy free greek yogurt, coconut yogurt or cashew yogurt.
- Grilled Chicken Gyro Skewers– If you prefer grilled over baked, this chicken tastes delicious cooked on the grill!
Recipe Step by Step
I am going to highlight a few key steps in the recipe here, but make sure to jump down to the recipe card for comprehensive instructions on how to make these greek Chicken Gyro Skewers.
Cut each chicken thigh into 4-6 pieces
In a large bowl, mix the yogurt, lemon juice, re wine vinegar, greek seasoning and garlic together.
Place the chicken in the yogurt mixture and toss until the chicken is evenly coated.
Skewer the chicken thighs together onto four skewers, place on greased baking sheet and bake for 20-25 min.
Recipe Tips
- Custom toppings – These skewers can be topped with a drizzle of tzatziki sauce (try making your own!), fresh lemon juice, chopped parsley or crumbled feta cheese.
- Soak the skewers – If you’re using wooden or bamboo skewers, soak them for 20-30 minutes before cooking to prevent them from burning, charring or breaking.
- Marinate! – If you have extra time earlier in the day to marinate your chicken, even 30 minutes to an hour, it’ll make your chicken so much more tender and flavorful!
- Avoid cramming – Place the chicken snuggly onto the skewers, but avoid tightly cramming the chicken to ensure heat circulates and cooks on all sides.
Recipe Short Cuts
If you need to make this recipe, but are extra short on time, here are a few ideas that can help make this recipe even faster!
- Lemon juice – You can use shelf stable lemon juice (in a bottle) if you don’t have a lemon on hand.
- Prep in advance – If you have time, go ahead and cut the chicken into pieces, make the marinade and place the chicken in the marinade. When you’re ready to cook, simply skewer the chicken and place into the oven. Your chicken will be super tender after having marinated throughout the day!
- Minced garlic – If you don’t have time to peel and press your garlic, I love to keep a small jar of minced garlic in the fridge for this exact purpose. It’s so easy and convenient!
- Foil – Cover the sheet pan with foil before placing chicken skewers on it for quick and easy cleanup!
Freezer Meal Instructions
Making this greek Chicken Gyros recipe into a freezer meal is simple! Follow the steps below and you can store this recipe in the freezer for up to 6 months.
To freeze after cooking
- Allow chicken to cool completely
- Pull chicken off the skewers and place into freezer bag or airtight container.
- Freeze for up to 6 months. When ready to serve, allow to thaw in fridge, then warm to an internal temperature of 165°
What to Serve with Baked Chicken Gyro Skewers
Since this protein based dinner has the delicious flavors of the Mediterranean, it will pair well with many of your favorite Greek side dishes.
Choose one or several of these side dishes to create a wholesome, well-rounded dinner. There are both classic options and some healthy options to keep it light.
Side Dish Ideas
- Garlic Smashed Potatoes– These are a family favorite! I usually have to make a double batch!
- Cucumber Tomato Salad
- Lemon Rice
- Fresh Tomato Feta Dip– So fresh and tasty! Serve with crackers or pita chips.
Chicken Gyro Leftovers
If you have leftovers after making this recipe, then it is your lucky day! They save and reheat well, and can make the start of another delicious dish.
To save leftovers, separate into meal sized portions and then place in an airtight container and store:
- in the refrigerator for 3-4 days
- in the freezer up to a month
Leftover Recipes
Here are a few ways to repurpose those leftovers and give them a delicious makeover! There are so many options!
- Mediterranean Flatbread with Chicken– This gyro chicken would be perfection as a topping on this homemade mediterranean pizza! Top your flatbread or naan with pesto, chicken, feta and your favorite greek vegetables!
- Chicken Gyro Power Bowl– Think ‘burrito bowl” greek style! Rice or quinoa could be your base. Top with leftover gyro chicken, cucumber tomato salsa, feta, red onions, romaine lettuce or arugula, tzatziki and a drizzle of red wine vinegar. So flavorful and the perfect mom lunch!
- Greek Chicken Nachos– Layer pita chips with hummus and tzatziki. Chop your leftover gyro chicken into smaller bites, then sprinkle them over the chips. Top with feta, tzatziki and any greek veggies you might like.
- Greek Chicken Wraps or Pita Pockets– Fill your wrap or pocket with leftover gyro chicken, hummus, tzatziki, red peppers, arugula, feta, olives, cucumber, artichokes or any other greek ingredients.
Recipe FAQ’s
What meat is gyro?
Gyro is traditionally lamb. However chicken thighs are more accessible, less likely to dry out when cooked, is lighter than lamb, cooks faster and allows the marinade to shine.
What’s the difference between chicken gyro and chicken kabob?
Chicken gyros are greek-style, rotisserie, herb-marinated chicken. It’s typically wrapped in a warm pita with tzatziki, tomatoes & onions. Chicken kabobs are a broader term for skewered, often grilled, chicken.
What sauce usually goes on greek gyros?
Tzatziki is a cool, tangy greek-yogurt based sauce. It’s made from strained greek yogurt, grated cucumbers, garlic, lemon juice and fresh herbs. It’s fresh and so delicious!
More EASY Chicken Recipes
If you enjoyed this recipe, I really hope you will take a moment to grab a few more easy recipes for another busy night!
You can check out all of my easy chicken recipes here, or see a few of our readers favorite recipes below.
Chicken Gyro Skewers
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- ¾ cup greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons greek seasoning
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400˚F.If using wooden skewers, soak them in water.
- Cut each chicken thighs into 4-6 pieces, about 1½-2 inches wide, trimming off any excess fat or tissue.
- In a large bowl, mix the yogurt, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, greek seasoning, and garlic together.Place the chicken in the yogurt mixture and toss until the chicken is evenly coated.
- Skewer the chicken tightly together onto four skewers.
- Place chicken skewers on a greased baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165˚F.
- Remove from oven and serve warm.
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