These Greek Chicken Gyro Bowls are a fresh, vibrant, and nutrient-packed meal that brings the classic flavors of a Mediterranean street food favorite right to your dinner table. By swapping the traditional pita for a hearty bed of brown rice, you get a wholesome and satisfying bowl that is perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner or organized meal prep.
Featuring succulent chicken marinated in an herb-infused yogurt sauce and topped with a cool, creamy homemade tzatziki, these bowls offer a beautiful balance of warm protein and crisp, refreshing vegetables.
Recipe Details
- Flavor Profile: Zesty and bright with prominent notes of lemon, garlic, and dried oregano, balanced by the cooling tang of yogurt and salty feta.
- Textures: Tender, juicy chicken paired with crunchy cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and creamy, smooth tzatziki sauce.
- Total Time: 30 minutes for marinating plus approximately 15 minutes of prep and cooking.
- Difficulty Level: Easy; requires simple whisking, marinating, and basic skillet searing.
What You’ll Need
This recipe centers on high-quality boneless skinless chicken breasts and a variety of fresh produce. You will need plain Greek yogurt for both the marinade and the sauce to achieve that signature Mediterranean creaminess. Fresh herbs like parsley and dill, along with a pantry of warm spices, provide the aromatic depth that makes this dish so authentic.
Ingredient Notes
- Greek Yogurt – Using plain Greek yogurt in the marinade is a fantastic way to tenderize the chicken breasts, ensuring they stay moist during the searing process.
- Lemon Juice – Freshly squeezed lemon juice is essential for both the chicken and the tzatziki to provide a bright, citrusy acidity.
- Kalamata Olives – These add a rich, salty, and slightly fruity bite that complements the tangy feta cheese.
- Fresh Dill – This is a non-negotiable for the tzatziki sauce, providing that iconic fresh and herby flavor that distinguishes it from other yogurt dips.
- Garlic – Grating the garlic allows it to meld perfectly into the liquids, ensuring every bite of chicken is infused with savory flavor.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Grains – While brown rice is used here for its hearty texture, you could also use white basmati rice or quinoa if you prefer.
- Vegetables – Sliced bell peppers or pickled red onions make excellent additions if you want to increase the vegetable variety.
- Spices – If you do not have ground coriander, you can omit it, though it adds a lovely floral undertone that rounds out the cumin and paprika.
How to Make Greek Chicken Gyro Bowls
1. Marinate the Chicken In a medium bowl, combine all the ingredients for the chicken marinade: Greek yogurt, lemon juice, grated garlic, chopped parsley, olive oil, dried oregano, smoked paprika, ground cumin, ground coriander, salt, and pepper. Stir together until the mixture is well combined. Add in the cubed chicken pieces and toss to coat. Let the chicken marinate for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate.
2. Prepare the Tzatziki Sauce While the chicken is marinating, make your fresh tzatziki. In a separate bowl, stir together the shredded cucumber, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, chopped dill, and grated garlic. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate the sauce until you are ready to serve to keep it cool and crisp.
3. Sear the Chicken Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add enough olive oil to coat the bottom of the pan. Once the oil is shimmering, add in the chicken and spread it into a single layer. Let the chicken brown undisturbed for 3-4 minutes to develop a nice crust before flipping. Continue to cook for another 4-5 minutes, or until the chicken is thoroughly cooked through.
4. Assemble the Bowls To assemble, fill each bowl with a base of cooked brown rice. Top the rice with a portion of the seared chicken, followed by the diced cucumbers, red onion, cherry tomatoes, and kalamata olives. Sprinkle the crumbled feta over the top and finish with a generous dollop of the chilled tzatziki sauce.
Pro Tip: For the best tzatziki, squeeze the excess moisture out of your shredded cucumber using a clean kitchen towel before mixing it into the yogurt. This prevents the sauce from becoming watery and keeps it thick and creamy.
Recipe Tips
- Pan Searing – Avoid overcrowding the skillet. If your pan is small, cook the chicken in two batches so the pieces sear and brown rather than steaming in their own juices.
- Marinating Time – While 30 minutes is the minimum for great flavor, you can marinate the chicken for up to 2 hours for even more tender results.
- Consistency – If you prefer a more garlicky tzatziki, feel free to use the full teaspoon of grated garlic as suggested in the ingredient notes.
FAQs
How long does the tzatziki stay fresh? The homemade tzatziki can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Give it a quick stir before serving as the cucumber may release a little juice over time.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts? Absolutely. Boneless skinless chicken thighs work very well with this marinade and remain quite juicy. The cooking time may increase by a minute or two.
Is this bowl good for meal prep? Yes! You can prep all the components in advance. Store the cooked chicken and rice in one container and the fresh vegetables and tzatziki in others to keep everything crisp until you are ready to eat.
Serving Suggestions
- Side Garnish – Serve with extra lemon wedges on the side for those who like an extra hit of acidity.
- Warm Bread – A piece of warm, toasted pita bread is perfect for scooping up the rice and tzatziki.
- Hummus – A scoop of classic or roasted red pepper hummus on the side adds another layer of Mediterranean flavor.
Make This Recipe in Advance
You can make the tzatziki sauce and marinate the chicken several hours ahead of time. The vegetables (cucumber, tomato, and onion) can also be chopped and kept in the fridge in a sealed container. Having these components ready makes the actual cooking and assembly process take less than 10 minutes when you are ready for dinner.
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Greek Chicken Gyro Bowls
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 Bowls 1x
Description
These Greek Chicken Gyro Bowls are a fresh, vibrant, and nutrient-packed meal. Featuring succulent chicken marinated in an herb-infused yogurt sauce, hearty brown rice, and cool homemade tzatziki, they offer a perfect balance of warm protein and crisp Mediterranean vegetables.
Ingredients
The Chicken & Marinade
- 1 1/4 lbs chicken breasts, bite-sized
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons flat-leaf parsley
- 2 cloves garlic, grated
- Spice Blend: 1.5 tsp oregano, 0.5 tsp each paprika, cumin, coriander; salt/pepper
The Homemade Tzatziki Sauce
- 1 1/2 cups plain Greek yogurt
- 1 cup shredded cucumber (squeezed dry)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill
- 1/2 to 1 teaspoon grated garlic
- Salt and pepper
The Bowl Base & Toppings
- 2 cups cooked brown rice
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
- 1 cup diced cucumber
- 1/4 cup diced red onion
- 1/3 cup kalamata olives
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
Instructions
Marinate: Whisk yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, parsley, oil, and spices. Toss with chicken and let sit for 30 mins.
Make Tzatziki: Stir cucumber, yogurt, lemon juice, dill, and garlic. Season and refrigerate.
Sear Chicken: Heat oil in a large skillet. Cook chicken undisturbed for 3–4 mins, then stir and finish for 4–5 mins until cooked through.
Assemble: Layer brown rice, seared chicken, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and olives in bowls.
Finish: Sprinkle with feta and add a generous dollop of tzatziki.
Notes
Cucumber Hack: Squeeze shredded cucumber in a towel to prevent watery sauce.
Don’t Overcrowd: Sear in batches to get golden edges instead of steamed chicken.
Storage: Keep cold veggies and sauce separate from warm rice/chicken for meal prep.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course / Meal Prep
- Method: Skillet / Stovetop
- Cuisine: Greek / Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Bowl
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 42g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
Keywords: greek chicken gyro bowl, healthy meal prep bowls, homemade tzatziki recipe, mediterranean chicken rice bowl, 30 minute healthy dinner, gluten free greek bowl
