Simple Chicken Gyro and Souvlaki

Try our Simple Chicken Gyro and Souvlaki!  These quick and easy classic Greek wraps are perfect for midweek meals for the family or to have with friends! The juicy marinated chicken can be cooked different ways to make this meal either a Gyro or a Souvlaki. You have to check this one out!

Chicken Gyro or Chicken Souvlaki – What’s the Difference?

Oh, my love for Gyros and Souvlakis! First of all, Gyro is pronounced “Yee-ō”, not “Jī-rō”, just to set that one straight. Hey, I’m from Jersey and with all the Greek owned diners around, believe me, you learn that one by the time you’re 2.

So, what is the difference? It’s in the way the chicken is cooked. Souvlaki is grilled on skewers while Gyro meat is typically cooked on an upright rotisserie. Since most people don’t own an upright rotisserie, the home versions are usually pan fried or roasted in the oven. Same toppings and marinade, just different cooking methods. The pictures here show the Chicken Souvlaki.

Simple Chicken Gyro and Souvlaki

My all time favorite Chicken Gyro was at Lalapalooza at Waterloo Village in NJ. There was this one food stand that had like 20 feet of open flame grills on 3 sides, loaded with sizzling chicken. The smell was so overwhelming, I had to have one. I was 18 or 19 and I can still taste it. And, yes, I judge all others by that standard, even my own.

Since the cooking method is the only real difference between a Chicken Gyro and Chicken Souvlaki, I decided to update my previous Chicken Gyro post to include both methods in one recipe.

What Are the Ingredients for the Simple Chicken Gyro and Souvlaki?

• Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast
• Olive oil
• Lemon Juice
• Oregano
• Parsley
• Basil
• Garlic Powder
• Onion Powder
• Kosher Salt
• Black Pepper

Toppings

• Flat Bread, Pitas, or small Tortillas
• Shredded Lettuce
• Tomatoes
• Red or Sweet Onions
• Feta Cheese
• Kalamata Olives
• Tzatziki Sauce (See our Homemade Tzatziki Sauce recipe)

Ingredient Notes

Red or Sweet Onions – I prefer the sweet onions, my wife prefers the red. Either way is delicious!

Tzatziki Sauce – You have to try my Homemade Tzatziki Sauce recipe! I taught my daughter how to make this when she was 5. It’s super easy and super delicious!

Marinating the Chicken

It’s important not to marinate the chicken too long because the acid from the lemon juice will make it tough. Besides, you really don’t need to marinate it any longer than 30 minutes.

My favorite way to marinate meats is in a ziptop bag, usually a gallon or 2 gallon size. This method uses less ingredients to get the same flavor. So it save you money. Now, you can’t always use a bag, but, if you can, I highly recommend doing so.

Place the chicken in a gallon sized ziptop bag. Add in the oil, lemon juice, oregano, parsley, basil, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Let out most of the air from the bag and zip it closed. Massage the bag to make sure all the ingredients get mixed and the chicken is completely coated. Set the bag on the counter for 30 minutes to 2 hours. Use this time to prepare the toppings.

Cooking Instructions – Chicken Gyro

I cook my chicken for my gyros in a skillet on the stovetop.

Heat a medium to large skillet over medium high heat. Add the marinated chicken a handful at a time to avoid lowering the temperature of the skillet too much. Since the chicken is already marinating in oil, there is no need to add any to the skillet.

Cook until the meat is thoroughly cooked, about 5-8 minutes.

Cooking Instructions – Chicken Souvlaki

Heat up the grill – gas grill set to medium; charcoal grill – place the coals in a pile near the back.

Slide several pieces of chicken on each skewer. Place them on the grill. Charcoal grill place them toward the front of the grill to prevent flare-ups.

Close the grill lid and cook for 5 minutes. Keep turning the skewers and cooking in 3-5 minute intervals with the lid closed until the chicken is thoroughly cooked. I find it takes 10-15 minutes on my both my gas and charcoal grill.

When the chicken is cooked, remove the skewers from the grill. Carefully remove the chicken pieces from the skewers.

Assembly

Warm up the pitas on the stove, grill, or microwave.

Place some chicken on the pita and top with your favorite toppings!

Pro Recommendations

Anolon Advanced skillets are my favorite skillets to use. They are not a sponsor, but I absolutely love them. To be honest, I use their 14 inch skillet pretty much everyday. It’s a workhorse! Most of the food I cook in it gets served right in the pan. It has an extra handle that makes it great for transporting to the table. If you have 4 or more in your family, I would say this is a must have! It’s been worth every penny!

Other Amazing Recipes That You’ll Love!

Homemade Tzatziki Sauce

Feta Spinach and Artichoke Dip

Best Greek Marinated Chicken

Mediterranean Fish

Spanakopita – Greek Spinach Pies

Greek Salad with Chicken and Balsamic Vinaigrette

Avocado Cucumber Mediterranean Salad

Print

Simple Chicken Gyro and Souvlaki

Course Main Course

Cuisine American, Mediterranean

Keyword chicken gyro, chicken souvlaki, Greek food, Greek salad, gryo, souvlaki

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs Chicken Breast, cubed
• 1/4 cup Olive oil
• 1/4 cup Lemon Juice
• 2 teaspoons Dried Oregano
• 1 teaspoon Dried Parsley
• 1 teaspoon Dried Basil
• 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
• 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
• 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
• 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper

Toppings

• 4-6 pieces Flat Bread, Pitas, or small Tortillas
• 2 cups Shredded Lettuce
• 1 cup Tomatoes, diced
• 1 cup Red or Sweet Onions, diced
• 1 cup Feta Cheese
• 1/2 cup Kalamata Olives, sliced lengthwise
• 1 cup Tzatziki Sauce (See our Homemade Tzatziki Sauce recipe)

Instructions

1. Place the chicken in a gallon sized ziptop bag. Add in the oil, lemon juice, oregano, parsley, basil, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Let out most of the air from the bag and zip it closed. Massage the bag to make sure all the ingredients get mixed and the chicken is completely coated. Set the bag on the counter for 30 minutes to 2 hours. Use this time to prepare the toppings.

Chicken Gyro – Stovetop Method

1. Heat a medium to large skillet over medium high heat. Add the marinated chicken a handful at a time to avoid lowering the temperature of the skillet too much. Since the chicken is already marinating in oil, there is no need to add any to the skillet.

2. Cook until the meat is thoroughly cooked, about 5-8 minutes.

Chicken Souvlaki – Grill Method

1. Heat up the grill – gas grill set to medium; charcoal grill – place the coals in a pile near the back.

2. Slide several pieces of chicken on each skewer. Place them on the grill. Charcoal grill place them toward the front of the grill to prevent flare-ups.

3. Close the grill lid and cook for 5 minutes. Keep turning the skewers and cooking in 3-5 minute intervals with the lid closed until the chicken is thoroughly cooked. I find it takes 10-15 minutes on my both my gas and charcoal grill.

4. When the chicken is cooked, remove the skewers from the grill. Carefully remove the chicken pieces from the skewers.

Assembly

1. Warm up the pitas on the stove, grill, or microwave.

2. Place some chicken on the pita and top with your favorite toppings!