Mediterranean Ground Chicken Pitas

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Mediterranean Ground Chicken Pitas

Dinner Ideas

Looking for a fresh, flavorful meal that’s both satisfying and healthy? These Mediterranean Ground Chicken Pitas are a must-try! Juicy ground chicken is seasoned with herbs and spices, then tucked into warm pita pockets with crisp veggies and creamy homemade sauce. It’s a quick and wholesome dish perfect for lunch, dinner, or meal prep.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Flavor-Packed – Bursting with bold Mediterranean spices and fresh toppings.
  • Quick & Easy – Ready in under 30 minutes with simple ingredients.
  • Healthy & Balanced – High in protein, low in sugar, and loaded with veggies.
  • Great for Meal Prep – Make ahead and assemble when ready to eat.
  • Customizable – Use your favorite toppings or add a spicy twist.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Ground Chicken Filling:

  • 1 lb ground chicken
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small red onion, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • Juice of ½ lemon

For the Creamy Yogurt Sauce:

  • ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 garlic clove, grated
  • 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill or parsley
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

For Assembling:

  • 4 whole wheat pita breads
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cucumber, sliced
  • ½ red onion, thinly sliced
  • ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
  • ¼ cup kalamata olives, sliced
  • Fresh lettuce or baby spinach

Tools You’ll Need

  • Large skillet
  • Mixing bowls
  • Measuring spoons and cups
  • Knife and cutting board
  • Spoon or spatula

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Yogurt Sauce
In a small bowl, mix together Greek yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, grated garlic, and fresh dill or parsley.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Chill in the refrigerator while you cook the chicken.

Step 2: Cook the Ground Chicken
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add chopped red onion and garlic, and sauté for 2-3 minutes until soft and fragrant.
Add ground chicken, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook for 6-8 minutes, until fully cooked and no longer pink.
Stir in oregano, cumin, paprika, cinnamon, salt, and pepper.
Squeeze in lemon juice and cook for another minute. Remove from heat.

Step 3: Warm the Pitas
While the chicken finishes cooking, warm pita breads in a dry skillet for 1-2 minutes on each side or in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5 minutes.

Step 4: Assemble the Pitas
Cut pitas in half and gently open each pocket.
Spread a spoonful of yogurt sauce inside each pita.
Add a generous spoonful of the ground chicken mixture.
Top with cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, red onion, feta cheese, olives, and greens.
Drizzle with more yogurt sauce if desired.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
Serve warm or at room temperature with a side of lemon wedges or a fresh salad.

Mediterranean Ground Chicken Pitas
Mediterranean Ground Chicken Pitas

Tips for the Best Mediterranean Pitas

  • Use Fresh Herbs – They add a bright pop of flavor to the yogurt sauce.
  • Don’t Skip the Cinnamon – It adds warmth and depth to the chicken.
  • Prep Ahead – Cook chicken and make the sauce in advance for easy assembly.
  • Try Tzatziki – Swap the yogurt sauce with classic tzatziki for a cucumber twist.
  • Low-Carb Option – Serve in lettuce wraps instead of pita bread.

Serving Suggestions

  • Side Salad – Serve with a Greek salad or tabbouleh for a complete meal.
  • Hummus & Veggies – Add a side of hummus with carrot and bell pepper sticks.
  • Rice Bowl – Turn it into a bowl with brown rice or quinoa instead of pita.
  • Sweet Finish – End the meal with a few fresh dates or a small fruit salad.

How to Store & Reheat

Storing:

  • Store the chicken in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
  • Keep yogurt sauce and chopped toppings in separate containers.

Reheating:

  • Reheat chicken gently in a skillet or microwave.
  • Assemble pitas fresh when ready to eat for the best texture.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Can I use ground turkey instead of chicken?
    Absolutely! Ground turkey works well with the same seasoning.
  2. What can I use instead of pita?
    Try naan, flatbread, tortillas, or lettuce wraps for a low-carb version.
  3. Is this dish gluten-free?
    Use gluten-free pita or serve over salad or rice for a gluten-free meal.
  4. Can I freeze the cooked chicken?
    Yes, freeze in a sealed container for up to 2 months. Thaw and reheat before serving.

Final Thoughts
These Mediterranean Ground Chicken Pitas bring vibrant flavor and hearty nutrition to your plate. They’re quick to make, easy to customize, and sure to be a family favorite. Whether you’re planning a weeknight dinner or a lunch on the go, this recipe fits the bill perfectly.

Try it out and let me know what you think! Don’t forget to leave a review below and share your photos on Pinterest! I can’t wait to see how your dish turns out.
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
Calories: 360 | Protein: 27g | Carbohydrates: 22g | Fat: 18g | Fiber: 4g | Sodium: 520mg

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Mediterranean Ground Chicken Pitas

Mediterranean Ground Chicken Pitas


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  • Author: Emily
  • Total Time: 25 minutes

Description

Looking for a fresh, flavorful meal that’s both satisfying and healthy? These Mediterranean Ground Chicken Pitas are a must-try! Juicy ground chicken is seasoned with herbs and spices, then tucked into warm pita pockets with crisp veggies and creamy homemade sauce. It’s a quick and wholesome dish perfect for lunch, dinner, or meal prep.

Want recipes like this delivered straight to your inbox? Subscribe now to get the latest culinary creations you’ll love.


Ingredients

Scale

For the Ground Chicken Filling:

  • 1 lb ground chicken

  • 1 tbsp olive oil

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 small red onion, finely chopped

  • 1 tsp dried oregano

  • 1 tsp ground cumin

  • ½ tsp smoked paprika

  • ¼ tsp ground cinnamon

  • ½ tsp salt

  • ¼ tsp black pepper

  • Juice of ½ lemon

For the Creamy Yogurt Sauce:

  • ½ cup plain Greek yogurt

  • 1 tbsp lemon juice

  • 1 tbsp olive oil

  • 1 garlic clove, grated

  • 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill or parsley

  • Salt and pepper, to taste

For Assembling:

  • 4 whole wheat pita breads

  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

  • 1 cucumber, sliced

  • ½ red onion, thinly sliced

  • ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)

  • ¼ cup kalamata olives, sliced

  • Fresh lettuce or baby spinach


Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Yogurt Sauce
In a small bowl, mix together Greek yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, grated garlic, and fresh dill or parsley.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Chill in the refrigerator while you cook the chicken.

Step 2: Cook the Ground Chicken
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add chopped red onion and garlic, and sauté for 2-3 minutes until soft and fragrant.
Add ground chicken, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook for 6-8 minutes, until fully cooked and no longer pink.
Stir in oregano, cumin, paprika, cinnamon, salt, and pepper.
Squeeze in lemon juice and cook for another minute. Remove from heat.

Step 3: Warm the Pitas
While the chicken finishes cooking, warm pita breads in a dry skillet for 1-2 minutes on each side or in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5 minutes.

Step 4: Assemble the Pitas
Cut pitas in half and gently open each pocket.
Spread a spoonful of yogurt sauce inside each pita.
Add a generous spoonful of the ground chicken mixture.
Top with cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, red onion, feta cheese, olives, and greens.
Drizzle with more yogurt sauce if desired.

 

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
Serve warm or at room temperature with a side of lemon wedges or a fresh salad.

Notes

Use Fresh Herbs – They add a bright pop of flavor to the yogurt sauce.

Don’t Skip the Cinnamon – It adds warmth and depth to the chicken.

Prep Ahead – Cook chicken and make the sauce in advance for easy assembly.

Try Tzatziki – Swap the yogurt sauce with classic tzatziki for a cucumber twist.

Low-Carb Option – Serve in lettuce wraps instead of pita bread.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Cuisine: Mediterranean

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