This Mediterranean Chicken Pita recipe is perfect for those busy weeknights when you want something healthy and flavorful on the table fast. They’re also so much fun to put together and make a great option for meal prep. These Greek-style pitas are stuffed with seasoned ground chicken, a vibrant cucumber tomato salad, and creamy tzatziki, making them a wonderful family favorite.
I’m so excited to share one of my go-to weeknight dinners with you. As someone who loves Mediterranean cuisine, this ground chicken pita wrap hits all the right notes. They’re quick to make, packed with fresh ingredients, and absolutely delicious. My family can’t get enough of them, and I bet yours will love them too!
Why I LOVE this recipe!
- A healthy family dinner option: This ground chicken pita recipe uses simple, healthy ingredients that come together for a delicious meal you can feel good about!
- Best Mediterranean flavors: From the ground chicken seasoned with Greek spices, that fresh cucumber tomato salad, and finishing it off with creamy tzatziki sauce, feta, and olives.. what’s not to love?
- Have lunch all week! – If you need lunch ideas for the week, why not try making these delicious chicken pitas? Just keep all the ingredients separate, warm up the chicken, and then assemble them when you’re ready to eat!
Recipe Notes
This Mediterranean chicken pita recipe is as simple as promised! Just 30 minutes and simple Mediterranean ingredients for a family friendly meal.
In this section I am going to go through a few tips and tricks I use for how to make ground chicken pita to get the absolute best and most delicious results.
Make sure to scroll to the bottom for the FULL recipe card.
Ingredients + Substitutions
Mediterranean Ground Chicken Mixture:
- Lean ground chicken – You could also use ground turkey or a lean ground beef.
- Red onion – Adds a sweet and savory flavor.
- Greek seasoning – Gives the chicken its distinctive Mediterranean taste.
- Italian parsley – Adds freshness and a pop of color.
- Lemon juice: Brightens the flavors and adds a zesty kick.
Cucumber Tomato Salad:
- Grape tomatoes – Juicy and sweet, perfect for the salad. If you have other tomatoes on hand, that’s perfectly fine!
- Cucumber – Adds crunch and freshness. I used an English cucumber for this recipe, but Persian cucumbers are a great option, too.
- Red onion – Gives a mild, sweet bite
- Red wine vinegar – Adds a tangy flavor.
- Olive oil – Helps blend the salad ingredients.
- Italian parsley, salt and pepper
Assembling the Chicken Pitas
- Pita bread rounds: The vessel for all your delicious ingredients.
- Tzatziki: This creamy Greek yogurt sauce is so good and pairs perfectly with these Greek flavors.
- Lettuce: I used curly lettuce, but use whichever you prefer.
- Feta cheese: Adds a salty, tangy flavor.
- Kalamata olives: You can slice the olives so they’re similar in size to the cucumber and tomatoes in the salad recipe.
Make sure to see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full quantities and ingredients list.
Recipe Variations
If you love this ground chicken pita recipe as much as we do and want some quick ways to change it up for variety, these little tips will do the trick!
- Vegetarian Mediterranean Pitas – Substitute the ground chicken with chickpeas, mushrooms, or a plant-based ground meat alternative.
- Spicy Chicken Pitas – Add some red pepper flakes or red chilies to the chicken for a spicy kick.
- Ground Turkey Pitas – This is an easy swap and a great option when you want to keep your filling lean.
- Extra Toppings: Add sliced avocado or roasted red peppers for extra flavor.
Recipe Step by Step
I am going to highlight a few key steps in the recipe here, but make sure to jump down to the recipe card for comprehensive instructions on how to make Mediterranean chicken pita pockets.
Add the ground chicken, onions, and Greek seasonings to a large skillet.
Break up the chicken and cook until browned and no pink remains. Drain the excess liquid and store in the lemon juice and fresh parsley.
Add the tomatoes, cucumbers, onion, and parsley to a bowl with the olive oil and red wine vinegar. Toss to coat and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Cut the pita rounds in half and open them up to add the tzatziki sauce.
Fill each pita with ground chicken and lettuce.
Finish them off with the cucumber tomato salad, feta cheese, and olives.
Recipe Tips
- Pick your pita – I like using the pita bread you can cut in half and open to make a pocket and stuffing each half of the bread. You can also cut a bit off of the top and stuff the whole pita round. If you prefer, you can use the fluffier pita bread that doesn’t separate and make this recipe taco-style.
- Make your own homemade tzatziki sauce – There’s just a handful of ingredients and it’s super easy to make.
- Assemble Just Before Serving – To keep the pitas from getting soggy, assemble them right before eating.
Recipe Short Cuts
If you need to make this Greek ground chicken pita recipe but are extra short on time, here are a few ideas that can help make this recipe even faster!
- Make the cucumber tomato salad ahead of time – Chop your veggies and toss in the light dressing the day before. It’ll be ready to serve and be much more flavorful.
- Rotisserie Chicken: Use shredded rotisserie chicken instead of cooking ground chicken from scratch.
- Use store-bought tzatziki – It should be in the refrigerated section near the prepared hummus in most stores.
Freezer Meal Instructions
Making this Mediterranean chicken pita sandwich recipe into a freezer meal is simple! Follow the steps below and you can store this recipe in the freezer for up to 6 months.
To freeze before cooking
- Portion the seasoned raw ground chicken into freezer bags and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before cooking as directed. I do not recommend freezing the salad.
How to Freeze Mediterranean Ground Chicken After Cooking
- Cook the ground chicken as instructed, let it cool, and portion into freezer-safe containers.
- Freeze for up to 3 months
- Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat on the stovetop or microwave before assembling the pitas.
What to Serve with Mediterranean Chicken Pitas
Since this protein based dinner has the delicious flavors of Mediterranean cuisine, it will pair well with many of your favorite Mediterranean side dishes.
Choose one or several of these side dishes to create a wholesome, well-rounded dinner. There are both classic options and some healthy options to keep it light.
Side Dish Ideas
Ground Chicken Pita Pockets Leftovers
If you have leftovers after making this recipe, then it is your lucky day! They save and reheat well, and can make the start of another delicious dish.
To save leftovers, separate into meal sized portions and then place in an airtight container and store:
- in the refrigerator for 3-4 days
- in the freezer up to a month
Leftover Recipes
Here are a few ways to repurpose those leftovers and give them a delicious makeover!
- Mediterranean Ground Chicken Pita Salad – Use leftover ground chicken and salad ingredients to top a green salad. Then, cut pitas into small pieces and serve as is, or toast in a skillet.
- Mediterranean Ground Chicken Wraps – Roll the leftover ingredients into a tortilla for a quick wrap.
- Ground Chicken Stuffed Peppers – Use the ground chicken mixture to stuff bell peppers. You can also toss with some rice for a fuller meal and then bake in the oven. Save the tzatziki sauce for last to drizzle on top before serving!
Recipe FAQ’s
Can I use chopped chicken instead of ground chicken?
Sure! You can easily swap the ground chicken for a chicken breast or chicken thighs. Just pan-sear them first and chop them into small pieces. Then, cook your onions and add the chicken and remaining ingredients back to the pan.
Can I make this dairy-free?
Yes, skip the feta cheese and use a dairy-free tzatziki or hummus as a substitute.
What other herbs can I use in the ground chicken filling?
Fresh mint and dill pair perfectly with the Mediterranean flavors of this chicken pita recipe.
More EASY Ground Chicken Recipes
If you enjoyed this recipe, I really hope you will take a moment to grab a few more easy recipes for another busy night!
You can check out all of my easy chicken recipes here, or see a few of our readers favorite recipes below.
- Ground Chicken Seasoning
- Ground Chicken Stuffed Peppers
- Buffalo Ranch Chicken Meatballs
- Ginger Sesame Ground Chicken Stir Fry
Mediterranean Ground Chicken Pitas
Ingredients
For the Mediterranean Ground Chicken
- 1½ pound lean ground chicken
- ¾ red onion, diced
- 1 tablespoon greek seasoning
- ¼ cup Italian parsley, chopped
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
For the Cucumber Tomato Salad
- 1 cup grape tomatoes, quartered
- 1 cup diced cucumber
- ¼ red onion, diced
- 2 tablespoons Italian parsley, chopped
- 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper, or to taste
For the Pitas
- 6 pita bread rounds, *See note
- ½ cup tzatziki
- 2 cups curly lettuce, chopped
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup kalamata olives, sliced
Instructions
To Prepare the Mediterranean Ground Chicken
- In a large skillet, cook the ground chicken, with the onion and greek seasoning over medium-high heat. Use the spatula or spoon to break apart the meat as it cooks. Cook for 5-7 minutes or until it is no longer pink.
- Drain any excess liquid then stir in the lemon juice and fresh parsley. Set aside
To Prepare the Cucumber Tomato Salad
- Combine the tomatoes, diced cucumber, red onion and parsley in a medium bowl. Pour the olive oil and vinegar over the salad and toss to coat. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
To Assemble the Pitas
- Cut the pita bread rounds in half.
- Smear tzatziki in each one, then pile the Mediterranean ground chicken, followed by the shredded lettuce and cucmber salad.
- Finish with feta cheese and kalamata olives. Serve immediately. Enjoy!
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