Description
This Mediterranean Ground Chicken Pitas recipe offers a flavorful and healthy twist on the classic pita sandwich, featuring seasoned ground chicken cooked with aromatic herbs and spices, served with fresh vegetables, creamy feta, and a dollop of Greek yogurt or tzatziki inside warm pita bread. It’s an easy and nutritious meal perfect for a quick lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken Filling
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small red onion, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Juice of ½ lemon
For Serving
- 4 pita pockets or flatbreads
- 1 cup chopped cucumber
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt or tzatziki
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Prepare the Aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped red onion and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until it becomes slightly softened, releasing its sweetness.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds to infuse the oil with its fragrance, taking care not to burn it.
- Cook the Chicken: Add the ground chicken to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks to ensure even browning. Season the meat with dried oregano, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper. Continue cooking for 6 to 8 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked through and browned.
- Finish with Lemon Juice: Once the chicken is cooked, stir in the juice of half a lemon to add a bright, fresh flavor, then remove the skillet from heat.
- Warm the Pita: Slightly warm the pita pockets or flatbreads by placing them in a dry skillet or microwaving them briefly—this makes them more pliable and enhances their flavor.
- Assemble the Pitas: Fill each warm pita pocket with a generous scoop of the seasoned ground chicken mixture. Top with chopped cucumber, diced tomatoes, crumbled feta cheese, a dollop of plain Greek yogurt or tzatziki, and sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley.
- Serve: Serve immediately to enjoy the contrast of warm chicken and cool, fresh toppings for a delightful Mediterranean-inspired meal.
Notes
- Substitute ground turkey for the chicken for a leaner option.
- Add sliced olives, roasted red peppers, or hummus to your pitas for extra layers of Mediterranean flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
