Chicken gyros are a popular Greek sandwich made with slices of rotisserie chicken, tzatziki sauce, tomatoes, onions, and lettuce wrapped in warm pita bread. But with all those delicious ingredients layered together, you may be wondering – just how many calories are in a chicken gyro?
Calculating Chicken Gyro Calories
To determine the calorie count we first need to look at the main ingredients
Chicken
Chicken breast, the most common chicken cut used, contains around 100 calories per 3 ounces when roasted Since gyros use sliced rotisserie chicken, the calorie count is similar at around 100 calories per 3 ounces The average chicken gyro contains around 6 ounces of chicken, equaling approximately 200 calories from the chicken alone.
Tzatziki Sauce
Tzatziki sauce is a creamy Greek sauce made from yogurt, cucumbers olive oil, lemon juice garlic, and herbs. A 2-tablespoon serving of tzatziki contains around 60 calories. Most gyros have around 2-3 tablespoons of tzatziki sauce.
Pita Bread
A small 6-inch pita pocket contains about 130 calories. Larger pita rounds used for gyros can have 150-200 calories.
Vegetables
Onions, tomatoes, and lettuce make gyros healthier, but they don’t add many calories. About 25 calories total comes from the vegetable toppings.
Total Calories
Adding up the main components – chicken, tzatziki sauce, pita, and veggies – an average chicken gyro sandwich contains 385 to 485 calories.
This calorie range accounts for size variations in the chicken and pita, as well as differences in tzatziki sauce amounts.
Calorie Differences in Chicken Gyros
While the average chicken gyro clocks in at 400 calories, the specific calorie count can vary based on:
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Portion size – A large 8-inch pita will have more calories than a standard 6-inch pita. Double chicken portions can also nearly double the calories.
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Ingredients – Substituting with higher calorie ingredients like feta cheese, olives, and hummus can add 50-100 calories.
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Method of cooking: Gyros made with grilled chicken have a few fewer calories than those made with rotisserie chicken.
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Sauces – Replacing some of the tzatziki with tahini or hummus sauce increases calories.
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Sides – Pairing gyros with sides like Greek salad, rice, fries or baklava adds extra calories.
Tips for Lightening Up Your Gyro
Because chicken has less fat than lamb or beef, chicken gyros are a better choice for you. If you want to make your gyro even brighter, though, here are some ideas:
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Choose a 6-inch whole wheat pita over regular or large pitas.
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Load up on lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and cucumbers instead of cheese, olives, and hummus.
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Opt for just 1 tablespoon of lower-fat tzatziki sauce.
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Order a side Greek salad instead of fries for dipping your gyro in.
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Split your gyro in half and save the other portion for later.
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You can make your own gyro at home with tzatziki, light pita, and grilled chicken breast.
What is Chicken Gyro Meat?
Chicken gyro meat is minced and seasoned with onion, garlic, cumin and oregano and cooked on a rotisserie. It has a tender, juicy texture and a rich, umami flavor. As required the cooked meat is shaved off of the outside and served on a pita with toppings such as onion, tomato, and tzatziki sauce.
Chicken Gyro Meat Nutritional Facts and Calories
Serving Size: 4 oz113.4g4 oz
| Amount Per Serving | % Daily Value | |
| Calories | 189kcal | 9% |
| Fats | 10g | 13% |
| Sat. fats | 2g | 9% |
| Mono. Fats | 5g | 11% |
| Trans fats | N/A | |
| Carbs | 3g | 1% |
| Sugars | 1g | 2% |
| Fiber | 0g | 0% |
| Proteins | 22g | 29% |
| Cholesterol | 100mg | 33% |
| Sodium | 71mg | 3% |
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How Many Calories in a Chicken Gyro – Info
FAQ
How many calories are in a typical chicken gyro?
| 530 | CALORIES (kcal) |
|---|---|
| 80mg | CHOLESTEROL (mg) |
| 650mg | SODIUM (mg) |
| 48g | CARBOHYDRATES (g) |
| 2g | DIETARY FIBER (g) |
Is chicken gyro healthy for you?
Gyro meat, typically made from lamb, beef, or chicken, is often considered healthy for several reasons: Protein Content: Gyro meat is a good source of protein, which is essential for building and repairing tissues, making enzymes and hormones, and supporting overall bodily functions.
How many calories are in a typical gyro?
A typical gyro, which includes meat, pita bread, and tzatziki sauce, generally contains between 600 and 800 calories.
How many calories in a chicken gyros pita?
One cup of Chicken gyros pita is around 250 grams and contains approximately 475 calories, 40 grams of protein, 10 grams of fat, and 50 grams of carbohydrates. Chicken Gyros Pita is a tasty combination of soft, marinated chicken that is grilled to perfection and wrapped in a warm, fluffy pita.