Greek Chicken Gyro Bowls (Printable)
Tender marinated chicken paired with rice, fresh veggies, and creamy tzatziki in a Mediterranean-inspired bowl.
# What's Needed:
→ Chicken
01 - 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
02 - 3 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 2 tablespoons lemon juice
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 tablespoon plain Greek yogurt
06 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
07 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
08 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ Tzatziki Sauce
11 - 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
12 - 1/2 cucumber, grated and squeezed to remove excess liquid
13 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
14 - 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped or 1 teaspoon dried dill
15 - 1 clove garlic, minced
16 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice
17 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
18 - Black pepper, to taste
→ Bowls
19 - 2 cups cooked basmati or jasmine rice
20 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
21 - 1 cup cucumber, diced
22 - 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
23 - 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
24 - 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
25 - 1 lemon, cut into wedges
26 - Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
27 - Optional: Warm pita bread, cut into wedges
# How to Make It:
01 - Combine olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, Greek yogurt, oregano, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Toss chicken in the marinade to coat thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 20 minutes, preferably up to 2 hours to enhance flavor.
02 - Mix Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, olive oil, chopped dill, minced garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until well incorporated. Chill until ready to serve.
03 - Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Remove chicken from marinade, then cook for 5 to 6 minutes per side until cooked through and golden brown. Allow to rest for 5 minutes before slicing thinly.
04 - Divide cooked rice evenly among four serving bowls. Top each with sliced chicken, cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, sliced red onion, Kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese. Generously drizzle with tzatziki sauce.
05 - Finish with lemon wedges and a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley. Serve alongside warm pita bread if desired.
# Tips for Success:
01 -
- The marinade transforms ordinary chicken into something tender and impossibly flavorful in just 20 minutes.
- You can prep everything ahead and assemble in minutes, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep.
- One bowl feeds you completely—rice, protein, vegetables, sauce, all the freshness you need without feeling heavy.
02 -
- Squeeze that cucumber dry or you'll end up with soup instead of sauce—I learned this the hard way and had to start over.
- Slice the rested chicken against the grain to keep it tender; if you cut the wrong way, even good chicken turns tough and unsatisfying.
03 -
- Make the tzatziki with the coldest Greek yogurt you can find—temperature matters when you're serving something meant to cool and refresh.
- If your grill pan isn't hot enough, the chicken steams instead of searing, and you lose that essential golden crust that makes everything taste better.