Easy Yogurt Marinated Sheet Pan Greek Chicken Pitas Recipe
On Wednesdays we EAT GREEK! Easy Sheet Pan Greek Chicken
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 Easy Yogurt Marinated Sheet Pan Greek Chicken Pitas Recipe Pitas. Perfect for weeknight dinners, this classic Greek meal is packed with a lot of flavor, and the best part? Easy to make!
Why Pitas are the Perfect Vessel
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.
Why Marinate in Greek Yogurt?
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 juicifying (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.
Why I Love This Recipe (Sheet Pan Greek Chicken)
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 simple ingredients. And when you grill it to perfection, trust me, it really is a party in your mouth! These Greek yogurt-marinated chicken pitas are a fun way to enjoy a complete meal that’s both satisfying and light. Plus, it’s the perfect recipe for meal prep, making it easy to enjoy delicious Greek flavors throughout the week.
Let’s Get to This Amazing Chicken Recipe!
Ingredients for Sheet Pan Greek Chicken
For the chicken:
- 2 skinless chicken thighs, diced into 1″ pieces
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- ½ lemon, juiced
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
For serving:
- Warm pita
- Sliced cucumber
- Sliced red onion
- Feta cheese crumbles
- Tzatziki sauce (recipe below)
Tzatziki sauce:
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ½ English cucumber, peeled and grated
- 1 tbsp feta cheese crumbles
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
Instructions
1. Marinate the Chicken:
- Grab your marinade ingredients. Mix together 1 cup Greek yogurt, lemon juice, 3 tbsp olive oil, and 2 tsp dried oregano in a mixing bowl. Season diced chicken with 1 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper, then add to the marinade. Place into the refrigerator for at least 20-30 minutes (or up to 4 hours). While the chicken marinates, make the tzatziki!
2. Make the Tzatziki Sauce:
- Start by placing the grated cucumber onto a clean kitchen towel. Wrap it up and wring it out over the sink, extracting as much liquid as possible. Transfer the drained cucumber to a bowl and add the remaining tzatziki ingredients, stirring well to combine. Place the mixture in the refrigerator to chill, allowing the flavors to meld together.
3. Prepare Toppings:
- Slice the cucumber and red onion. Wrap bread in damp paper towels and put into the microwave (don’t heat just yet).
4. Grill the Chicken:
- 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.
5. Assemble the Pitas:
- 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!
Tips for the Best Experience
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
If you’re loving these Greek flavors, here are more delicious ways to enjoy them:
- 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
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What makes the Greek yogurt marinade so effective?
The acids in the Greek yogurt, along with fresh lemon juice, help break down the toughness in the chicken meat, tenderizing it and making it juicy. The marinade increases the water content in the chicken, ensuring each bite is flavorful and tender.
How long should I marinate the chicken?
You should marinate the chicken for at least 20-30 minutes, but for the best flavor, you can marinate it for up to 4 hours. The longer the chicken marinates, the more tender and flavorful it will be.
Can I use chicken breasts instead of chicken thighs?
Yes, you can use chicken breasts instead of chicken thighs. Just make sure to cut them into 1-inch pieces and follow the same marinating and cooking instructions.
How do I make the tzatziki sauce?
To make the homemade tzatziki sauce, start by placing the grated cucumber onto a clean kitchen towel. Wrap it up and wring it out over the sink to remove as much liquid as possible. Then add the grated cucumber to a medium bowl with plain Greek yogurt, minced garlic, feta cheese crumbles, salt, and black pepper. Mix well and refrigerate until ready to serve.
What toppings can I add to my pita?
You can add a variety of toppings to your pita, such as sliced cucumber, sliced red onion, feta cheese crumbles, kalamata olives, cherry tomatoes, and fresh herbs like oregano. Feel free to get creative and add your favorite fresh produce.
I hope you enjoy every juicy bite of these Greek yogurt-marinated chicken pitas!
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Easy Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken Pitas Recipe
Equipment
- stove top grill pan
Ingredients
For the chicken
- 2 skinless chicken thighs diced into 1" pieces
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- ½ lemon juiced
- 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 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!
