Description
Kalimera’s Famous Greek Chicken Gyros is a delicious and authentic Greek street food recipe featuring marinated and grilled chicken thighs, a flavorful yogurt-mustard sauce, fresh vegetables, and optional thick-cut chips, all wrapped in warm pita bread. Perfectly balanced with herbs, spices, and creamy sauce, this recipe offers a satisfying and easy-to-assemble meal ideal for casual dining or gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Marinade
- 1.25 kg / 2.5 lb chicken thighs, skinless boneless
- 1 tbsp sweet paprika (regular paprika, not smoked or spicy)
- 1 tbsp mustard powder (or substitute with Dijon mustard)
- 1 tbsp dried oregano (Greek, if available)
- 1/2 tbsp mild curry powder (not spicy)
- 1 1/2 tsp cooking salt / kosher salt (halve if using table salt, +50% if flakes)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
Chips (Optional)
- 400g / 14oz thick-cut frozen chips
- Pinch of table salt (or chicken salt) for seasoning
Sauce
- 1 cup plain yoghurt (preferably Greek or Greek-style)
- 3 tbsp whole-egg mayonnaise (regular mayonnaise works as substitute)
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp yellow American mustard (or Dijon mustard)
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp sweet paprika
- 1/2 tsp cooking salt / kosher salt
Fresh Vegetables & Bread
- 2 tomatoes, halved and sliced
- 3 cups cos lettuce (romaine), finely sliced (5mm / 0.2″)
- 1/2 small red onion, diced (5mm / 0.2″ squares)
- 5 x 20cm / 8″ pita breads (slightly bready kind preferred)
Instructions
- Marinate the chicken – In a large bowl, combine sweet paprika, mustard powder, dried oregano, mild curry powder, salt, black pepper, and olive oil. Add the chicken thighs and toss well to coat them thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for 24 hours, with a minimum marinating time of 3 hours to allow flavors to develop.
- Prepare the sauce – Mix the plain yoghurt, whole-egg mayonnaise, extra virgin olive oil, yellow mustard, garlic powder, sweet paprika, and salt in a bowl. Stir well and set aside for at least 20 minutes to let the flavors meld.
- Cook the chips (optional) – If using frozen thick-cut chips, prepare them before cooking the chicken. You can bake, fry, or air fry the chips according to your preference. Season them with a pinch of salt (or chicken salt) to taste. Keep the cooked chips warm in a 100°C (200°F) oven while preparing the chicken.
- Cook the chicken gyros – You can choose between two primary cooking methods:
- BBQ method (recommended): Preheat the BBQ to medium-high heat. Using the grill side or flat iron plate, cook the marinated chicken thighs for 3 to 4 minutes on each side until they develop a deep golden color with slightly charred edges.
- Stovetop method: Heat a large non-stick pan over medium-high heat without oil. Cook the chicken thighs in batches, 3 to 4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through to an internal temperature of 72°C (162°F). Between batches, wipe the pan with paper towels to remove excess residue.
- Rest the chicken – Transfer the cooked chicken to a tray and loosely cover with foil. Allow it to rest for 3 minutes. Then slice the chicken into 1 cm (0.4″) pieces for easy assembly.
- Heat the pita bread – Warm the pita breads until they are soft and pliable. For convenience, microwave them stacked on a plate for 45 seconds to 1.5 minutes on high. Alternatively, brush both sides with water and heat each side in a lightly oiled non-stick pan for 1 minute over medium-high heat. Avoid crisping them too much to prevent cracking when folding.
- Assemble the gyros – Spread about 3 tablespoons of the prepared sauce down the center of each pita. Add a generous layer of sliced chicken on top. Place lettuce and tomato on one side, sprinkle diced red onion over, then add a pile of warm chips on top. Drizzle with additional sauce. Fold the pita around the fillings and wrap in foil to hold the gyro securely.
- Serve – Offer extra sauce on the side for dunking and enjoy your flavorful Greek chicken gyros!
Notes
- Marinating the chicken for a full 24 hours yields the best flavor, but a minimum of 3 hours is acceptable.
- The mild curry powder is a secret ingredient to add subtle warmth without spiciness.
- Chips are optional but recommended for authentic texture and taste; you can bake or fry them depending on your preference and convenience.
- Using yellow American mustard in the sauce adds a unique tanginess, but Dijon mustard can substitute if unavailable.
- Choose thicker, bready pita breads to prevent breakage when wrapping the gyros.
- Resting the cooked chicken before slicing ensures juiciness and better texture.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes (excluding marination)
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Greek
