Description
Mediterranean Ground Chicken Pitas are a flavorful and healthy main course featuring spiced ground chicken cooked to perfection and served in warm pita bread with a creamy Greek yogurt sauce, fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, and crumbled feta cheese. This quick stovetop recipe offers a delicious Mediterranean-inspired meal that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner or meal prep.
Ingredients
Meat and Aromatics
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 red onion, finely chopped
Spices and Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Yogurt Sauce
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Assembly
- 4 pita pockets or flatbreads
- 1 cup chopped cucumber
- 1 cup chopped tomato
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Prepare Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped red onion and minced garlic, sautéing for 2–3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Cook Ground Chicken: Add the ground chicken to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook for 6–8 minutes until fully cooked through and lightly browned.
- Season the Meat: Stir in dried oregano, ground cumin, paprika, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Continue cooking for another 1–2 minutes to let the flavors meld, then remove the skillet from heat.
- Make Yogurt Sauce: In a small bowl, combine plain Greek yogurt, lemon juice, garlic powder, and salt. Mix thoroughly to create a smooth sauce.
- Warm the Pitas: Slightly warm the pita pockets or flatbreads either in the microwave for a few seconds or briefly on a hot skillet until soft and pliable.
- Assemble the Pitas: Spread a spoonful of the yogurt sauce inside each pita or flatbread. Fill with a generous amount of the spiced ground chicken. Top with chopped cucumbers, tomatoes, crumbled feta cheese, and fresh parsley.
- Serve: Drizzle with additional yogurt sauce if desired and serve immediately for a fresh and satisfying Mediterranean meal.
Notes
- For added flavor, try adding kalamata olives, hummus, or sliced red peppers to the pita fillings.
- To make this recipe dairy-free, omit the feta cheese and substitute the Greek yogurt with a plant-based alternative.
- This dish is excellent for meal prepping—store the cooked chicken, chopped vegetables, and yogurt sauce separately and assemble just before eating to keep everything fresh.
