On Wednesdays, we EAT GREEK! Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken Pitas.
If you didn’t read that with Mean Girls in the back of your mind, then you probably have better taste in movies than I do. But I digress.
Okay! Today we’re talking about one of my favorite things – Greek food and this easy recipe for Greek Chicken Pitas. Perfect for weeknight dinners, this classic Greek meal is packed with a lot of flavor and the best part? Easy to make!
First, we must talk about PITAS. Even the word “pita” evokes a strong, fuzzy feeling inside. Warm, fluffy, soft, squishy, doughy bread. Knead I say more? (Yes, that was a bread joke. This, perhaps sadly, is who I am.)
Now changing gears to this chicken… why marinate in yogurt, you ask?
Well, the acids in the Greek yogurt marinade (and some fresh lemon juice!) help to break down the toughness in the chicken meat, tenderizing and justifying (not a word but roll with me) each bite by increasing the water content. Acid does some serious work to soften meat on a molecular level! Nerdy? Yes. Tasty? YAS.
Grilling the already tender chicken adds amazing charred flavor. Even just grilling on the stove top adds the best flavor. Top everything off with my twist on a traditional tzatziki. Enjoy this homemade tzatziki sauce using simple ingredients and you have an explosion of flavor! And you don’t have to stop there – my favorite way is to serve it with fresh veggies, kalamata olives, or a Greek salad – whatever your heart desires.
So let’s get to this amazing chicken recipe!
You’ll make these Greek Chicken Pitas by:
- In a medium bowl or container, marinate the chicken for 30 minutes (or longer).
- Combine yogurt and other ingredients for the tzatziki sauce in a small bowl
- Slicing your desired toppings.
- Grilling your chicken on a grill pan or large skillet
- Creating your perfect pitas!No grill/grill pan? No problem! Use a sauté pan and cook for the same amount of time. You won’t get the same char marks on the chicken, but you’ll still create a nice deep flavor!
On a no-bread kick?? #swimsuitszn I get it. Make a Greek bowl instead! Layer chicken onto dressed greens and top with cucumbers, red onions, and plenty of tzatziki sauce!
MORE GREEK-INSPIRED RECIPES:
- Loaded Greek Zucchini Boats
- Bunless Greek Burgers
- One Pot Greek Orzo Pasta
- Feta-Stuffed Greek Meatballs
- Spiced Ground Lamb Pitas
- Personal Lamb Pita Pizzas
- Hummus Crusted Chicken
- Fluffy Baked Falafel
- Veggie Tabbouleh
Hope you enjoy every juicy bite of these Greek yogurt marinated Chicken pitas! This recipe is seriously the best when it comes to bringing together all the amazing flavors of Greek food. The chicken is so tender and flavorful, thanks to the tangy Greek yogurt marinade and spices. And when you grill it to perfection, trust me, it really is a party in your mouth!
Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken Pitas
EQUIPMENT
- Stovetop grill pan
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken thighs diced into 1″ pieces
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- ½ lemon juiced
- 3 tbs. olive oil
- 2 tsp. dried oregano
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. black pepper
For serving
- Warm pita bread, sliced cucumbers, sliced red onions, feta cheese crumbles, tzatziki sauce (recipe below)
Tzatziki sauce
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 clove garlic minced
- ½ English cucumber peeled + grated
- 1 tbsp. feta cheese crumbles
- 1/8 tsp. salt
- 1/8 tsp. black pepper
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Grab your marinade ingredients. Mix 1 cup Greek yogurt, 1/2 lemon juiced, 3 tbs. olive oil, and 2 tsp. dried oregano in a mixing bowl. Season diced chicken with 1 tsp. salt + 1 tsp. black pepper, then add to the marinade. Place into the refrigerator for 30 minutes (up to 4 hours).
- If making tzatziki sauce: start by placing the grated cucumber onto a clean kitchen towel. Wrap it up and wring it out over the sink to try and remove as much liquid as possible. Then add to a bowl with the remaining tzatziki ingredients. Place into the refrigerator.
- Slice cucumbers and red onions. Wrap bread in damp paper towels and put it into the microwave (don’t heat just yet).
- When the chicken has marinated for at least 30 minutes, pull it from the refrigerator. Prep your grill pan by heating it on the stove over medium-high heat and spray with cooking spray. When hot, take tongs and place chicken pieces on the pan, giving each piece space. Grill for 3-4 minutes, then flip pieces and grill another 3-4 minutes until the chicken has cooked through.
- Let the chicken cool slightly while you heat pitas for 30 seconds in the microwave. Layer pitas with a few pieces of grilled chicken, cucumber red onion slices, and tzatziki sauce. Top with feta cheese crumbles and enjoy warm!
Easy Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken Pitas Recipe
Equipment
- stove top grill pan
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts diced into 1" pieces
- 1 cup full-fat or 2% greek yogurt
- ½ lemon juiced
- 3 tbs. olive oil
- 2 tsp. dried oregano
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. pepper
for serving
- 1 warm pita bread, sliced cucumbers, sliced shallots or red onions, feta cheese crumbles, tzatziki sauce (recipe below)
tzatziki sauce
- 1 cup full-fat or 2% greek yogurt
- 1 clove garlic minced
- ½ English cucumber peeled + grated
- 1 tbsp. feta cheese crumbles
- 1/8 tsp. each of salt + pepper
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 clove garlic minced
- ½ English cucumber peeled + grated
- 1 tbsp. feta cheese crumbles
- 1/8 tsp. salt
- 1/8 tsp. black pepper
Instructions
- Mix together 1 cup greek yogurt, 1/2 lemon juiced, 3 tbs. olive oil, 2 tsp. dried oregano in a mixing bowl. Season diced chicken with 1 tsp. salt + 1 tsp. pepper, then add to marinate. Place into refrigerator for 30 minutes (up to 4 hours).
- If making tzatziki sauce: start by placing the grated cucumber onto a clean kitchen towel. Wrap it up and wring it out over the sink to try and remove as much liquid as possible. Then add to a bowl with remaining tzatziki ingredients. Place into refrigerator.
- Slice cucumbers and shallots. Wrap bread in damp paper towels and put into microwave (don't heat just yet).
- When chicken has marinated for at least 30 minutes, pull from refrigerator. Prep your grill pan by heating on the stove over medium high heat and spray with cooking spray. When hot, take tongs and place chicken pieces on pan, giving each piece space. Grill for 3-4 minutes, then flip pieces and grill another 3-4 until chicken has cooked through.
- Let chicken cool slightly while you heat pitas for 30 seconds in the microwave. Layer pitas with a few pieces of grilled chicken, cucumber and shallot slices and tzatziki sauce. Top with feta cheese crumbles and enjoy warm!
- Grab your marinade ingredients. Mix together 1 cup Greek yogurt, 1/2 lemon juiced, 3 tbs. olive oil, and 2 tsp. dried oregano in a mixing bowl. Season diced chicken with 1 tsp. salt + 1 tsp. black pepper, then add to the marinade. Place into the refrigerator for 30 minutes (up to 4 hours).
- If making tzatziki sauce: start by placing the grated cucumber onto a clean kitchen towel. Wrap it up and wring it out over the sink to try and remove as much liquid as possible. Then add to a bowl with the remaining tzatziki ingredients. Place into the refrigerator.
- Slice cucumbers and red onions. Wrap bread in damp paper towels and put into the microwave (don’t heat just yet).
- When the chicken has marinated for at least 30 minutes, pull from the refrigerator. Prep your grill pan by heating it on the stove over medium-high heat and spray with cooking spray. When hot, take tongs and place chicken pieces on the pan, giving each piece space. Grill for 3-4 minutes, then flip pieces and grill another 3-4 minutes until the chicken has cooked through.
- Let the chicken cool slightly while you heat pitas for 30 seconds in the microwave. Layer pitas with a few pieces of grilled chicken, cucumber and red onion slices, and tzatziki sauce. Top with feta cheese crumbles and enjoy warm!