Introduction
Greek Chicken Gyro Wraps are a fresh, flavorful, and protein-packed meal inspired by traditional Greek street food. Tender marinated chicken is grilled to perfection, then wrapped in warm pita bread with crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, red onion, and a generous dollop of creamy tzatziki sauce. The combination of smoky, herby chicken with tangy yogurt sauce and fresh vegetables makes these wraps irresistible. Perfect for lunch, dinner, or casual gatherings, they are easy to assemble, portable, and bursting with Mediterranean flavors.
Why I Love This Recipe
I love this recipe because it’s vibrant, healthy, and incredibly flavorful. The Greek-inspired marinade infuses the chicken with a perfect blend of herbs, lemon, and garlic, while the tzatziki sauce adds a refreshing and creamy element. Every bite has a wonderful balance of textures: tender chicken, crisp vegetables, and soft pita bread. It’s also highly versatile and customizable to suit personal preferences, making it a favorite for weeknight dinners or meal prep.
Why It’s a Must-Try Dish
This Greek Chicken Gyro Wrap is a must-try because it transforms simple ingredients into a gourmet-style meal that’s packed with flavor and freshness. It’s a perfect introduction to Mediterranean cuisine at home, offering a healthy and satisfying alternative to typical sandwiches or fast food wraps. The balance of herbs, spices, and creamy tzatziki creates a wrap that’s both wholesome and indulgent, making it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Recipe Info
- Preparation Time: 15 minutes
- Marination Time: 30 minutes to 2 hours
- Cooking Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour (including marination)
- Servings: 4 wraps
- Calories: ~450 kcal per wrap
- Cuisine: Greek / Mediterranean
- Course: Main Course / Lunch
Ingredients
For the Chicken Marinade:
- 500 g (1 lb) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
For the Tzatziki Sauce:
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- ½ cucumber, grated and drained of excess water
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp chopped fresh dill (or ½ tsp dried dill)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Wrap:
- 4 large pita breads
- 1 cup chopped romaine lettuce
- 1 medium tomato, sliced
- ½ red onion, thinly sliced
- Optional: Feta cheese crumbles, Kalamata olives
Simple Cooking Directions
- Marinate chicken with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper for at least 30 minutes.
- Grill or pan-sear chicken until fully cooked; slice thinly.
- Mix yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, dill, salt, and pepper to make tzatziki.
- Warm pita bread and layer lettuce, tomato, onion, sliced chicken, and tzatziki sauce.
- Optional: sprinkle with feta or olives. Fold and serve immediately.
Step-by-Step Recipe Preparation Method
- Marinate the Chicken:
In a bowl, combine olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper. Add chicken, coat evenly, and marinate for 30 minutes to 2 hours in the refrigerator. - Prepare Tzatziki Sauce:
Grate cucumber and squeeze out excess moisture. In a small bowl, combine Greek yogurt, cucumber, minced garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, dill, salt, and pepper. Mix well and refrigerate until serving. - Cook the Chicken:
Preheat a grill, grill pan, or skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken 5–7 minutes per side until fully cooked (internal temperature 165°F / 75°C). Let rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly. - Prepare Vegetables and Pita:
Chop romaine lettuce, slice tomato, and thinly slice red onion. Warm pita bread on a skillet or in the oven for a few minutes. - Assemble the Wraps:
Place lettuce on the pita, add tomato and onion slices. Layer with sliced chicken, then spoon a generous amount of tzatziki sauce on top. Optionally sprinkle with feta cheese and olives. - Fold and Serve:
Fold pita over the filling, securing with parchment paper or toothpicks if needed. Serve immediately while warm and fresh.
How to Serve
- Serve as a main course with extra tzatziki on the side for dipping.
- Pair with Greek salad, roasted potatoes, or pita chips for a full Mediterranean meal.
- Ideal for lunchboxes or casual gatherings—wraps are portable and mess-free.
Additional Recipe Tips
- Use chicken thighs for juicier results; breasts are leaner but slightly less tender.
- Marinate longer (up to 2 hours) for maximum flavor.
- Drain the grated cucumber thoroughly to prevent watery tzatziki.
- Warm pita bread slightly before assembling for softness and pliability.
Variations
- Beef or Lamb Gyros: Replace chicken with thinly sliced beef or lamb.
- Vegetarian: Use grilled vegetables, falafel, or portobello mushrooms instead of meat.
- Spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne or paprika to the marinade.
- Wrap Style: Use whole wheat or gluten-free pita for dietary preferences.
Freezing and Storage
- Chicken Storage: Store cooked chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Tzatziki Storage: Best fresh; refrigerate up to 2 days. Avoid freezing as yogurt texture changes.
- Assembled Wraps: Best consumed immediately. For later, store components separately and assemble before serving.
Special Equipment Needed
- Grill, grill pan, or skillet
- Mixing bowls
- Knife and cutting board
- Cheese grater (for cucumber, optional)
FAQ
Q1: Can I use store-bought tzatziki?
A: Yes, it’s convenient, but homemade tzatziki is fresher and more flavorful.
Q2: Can I prepare wraps ahead of time?
A: Prepare components in advance, but assemble wraps just before serving for best texture.
Q3: Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?
A: Yes, just ensure it’s not overcooked to prevent dryness.
Q4: Can these wraps be made vegetarian?
A: Yes, substitute grilled vegetables or falafel for the chicken.
Q5: Can I freeze the chicken?
A: Yes, cooked chicken can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before using in wraps.
Conclusion
Greek Chicken Gyro Wraps with Tzatziki Sauce are a vibrant, flavorful, and satisfying meal that brings the tastes of the Mediterranean to your table. The combination of tender marinated chicken, creamy tzatziki, crisp vegetables, and warm pita bread creates a perfect balance of textures and flavors. Quick to prepare, versatile, and customizable, these wraps are ideal for lunch, dinner, or casual entertaining, and they are sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection.
Greek Chicken Gyro Wraps with Tzatziki Sauce
Course: LunchCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy4
servings15
minutes15
minutes30
minutesIngredients
For the Chicken Marinade:
500 g (1 lb) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
2 tbsp olive oil
Juice of 1 lemon
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp dried oregano
½ tsp paprika
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
For the Tzatziki Sauce:
½ cup Greek yogurt
½ cucumber, grated and drained of excess water
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp chopped fresh dill (or ½ tsp dried dill)
Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Wrap:
4 large pita breads
1 cup chopped romaine lettuce
1 medium tomato, sliced
½ red onion, thinly sliced
Optional: Feta cheese crumbles, Kalamata olives
Directions
- Marinate the Chicken : In a bowl, combine olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper. Add chicken, coat evenly, and marinate for 30 minutes to 2 hours in the refrigerator.
- Prepare Tzatziki Sauce : Grate cucumber and squeeze out excess moisture. In a small bowl, combine Greek yogurt, cucumber, minced garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, dill, salt, and pepper. Mix well and refrigerate until serving.
- Cook the Chicken : Preheat a grill, grill pan, or skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken 5–7 minutes per side until fully cooked (internal temperature 165°F / 75°C). Let rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
- Prepare Vegetables and Pita : Chop romaine lettuce, slice tomato, and thinly slice red onion. Warm pita bread on a skillet or in the oven for a few minutes.
- Assemble the Wraps : Place lettuce on the pita, add tomato and onion slices. Layer with sliced chicken, then spoon a generous amount of tzatziki sauce on top. Optionally sprinkle with feta cheese and olives.
- Fold and Serve : Fold pita over the filling, securing with parchment paper or toothpicks if needed. Serve immediately while warm and fresh.