Mediterranean Greek Chicken Gyro Bowl with Tzatziki
Tender marinated Greek-style chicken served over warm rice with crisp vegetables, tangy feta, briny olives, and a generous dollop of tzatziki. A lighter, deconstructed take on the beloved chicken gyro — in a bowl!
Prep: 25 minutes (plus 1–2 hrs marinating)
Cook: 25 minutes
Total: ~50 minutes active
Serves: 4
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
1 ½ lbs (680 g) boneless skinless chicken thighs (or breasts)
3 tbsp olive oil
Juice of 1 lemon
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp dried oregano
½ tsp paprika
½ tsp cumin
Salt & black pepper, to taste
For the Tzatziki:
1 cup Greek yogurt
½ cucumber, grated & squeezed of excess water
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp fresh dill or mint, chopped
Salt & black pepper, to taste
For the Bowl Base:
2 cups cooked basmati or jasmine rice (or quinoa, couscous, or farro)
1 tbsp olive oil
Juice & zest of ½ lemon
1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Pinch of salt
Bowl Toppings:
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 small cucumber, diced
½ red onion, thinly sliced
½ cup kalamata olives, pitted and halved
½ cup feta cheese, crumbled
Fresh parsley or dill, for garnish
Lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions
Marinate the chicken:
Mix olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper.
Coat chicken, cover, and refrigerate at least 1–2 hours (up to overnight).
Make the tzatziki:
Mix yogurt, cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, dill, salt, and pepper.
Chill until serving.
Cook the rice base:
Mix cooked rice with olive oil, lemon juice/zest, parsley, and a pinch of salt.
Cook the chicken:
Grill, pan-sear, or bake at 200°C (400°F) for 20–25 minutes until golden and cooked through (internal temp 75°C / 165°F).
Rest 5 minutes, then slice into strips.
Assemble the bowls:
Add rice to bowls.
Top with sliced chicken, tomatoes, cucumber, onion, olives, and feta.
Add a big spoonful of tzatziki.
Garnish with parsley and serve with lemon wedges.
Notes & Tips
Warm pita: Serve with toasted pita or flatbread for the full gyro experience.
Make ahead: Chicken and tzatziki can be prepped a day in advance.
Low-carb option: Swap rice for cauliflower rice or lettuce.
Extra flavor: Drizzle with olive oil or a splash of red wine vinegar before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use store-bought tzatziki?
Yes — but homemade always tastes fresher.
Q: Can I meal-prep this?
Definitely. Store chicken, rice, and toppings separately, assemble before eating.
Q: What if I don’t like olives?
Swap them for roasted red peppers or artichoke hearts.
Nutritional Information
Calories: ~580
Protein: 40g
Carbohydrates: 48g
Fat: 23g
Fiber: 6g