This chicken pita recipe is packed with authentic flavors. I combine tender marinated chicken thighs, a creamy garlic sauce, and fresh veggies with a soft, warm pita to make easy chicken pita wraps that taste better than anything you can get from a restaurant. I think it's the perfect dish for a quick weeknight dinner or lunch, and it's so easy to make too! In fact, less than a handful of simple steps are all you have to follow to make my grilled chicken pita recipe.
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The Best Greek Chicken Pita Wraps
I love Mediterranean-inspired flavors, and this Greek chicken pita recipe has quickly become one of my favorites. I've had chicken pita wraps from countless restaurants, and I've combined all of my favorite elements from them into this homemade recipe.
The marinated chicken is juicy and full of flavor, and my creamy Greek yogurt sauce is even better than tzatziki to bring it all together.
My favorite thing about these pitas, though, is how easy they are to customize. I switch up this base recipe from time to time, depending on what I'm in the mood for, and it always turns out amazing. So you can make any changes you want! Being able to change it up makes this an ideal recipe for family dinners, especially if you have any picky eaters.
Now, I also love how easy this recipe is to make. It takes practically no time at all to put together, and it can also be prepped ahead of time for more convenience.
Ingredients
You need a number of ingredients to make this recipe but trust me; it's well worth running to the grocery store. Here's everything you'll need to make this chicken pita recipe.
For the Greek chicken marinade:
- 1.5 lb chicken thighs, skinless boneless
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ shallot, minced
- ½ lemon, zest and juice
- 3 tablespoon yogurt
- 2 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ¼ teaspoon ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
For the Greek yogurt sauce:
- ⅓ cup yogurt
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon salt
And for serving:
- 4 small pitas
- Parsley
- Red onion
- Tomatoes
Expert Tips
Before we dive into the recipe, I want to go over a few of my expert tips to make the best chicken pitas.
- Marinate the Chicken Maximum Flavor: Marinating the chicken for at least 2 hours—or better yet, overnight—makes a huge difference. It allows the spices and yogurt to penetrate the chicken, making it incredibly tender and extra juicy.
- Use a Wire Rack for Even Cooking: Baking the chicken on a wire rack allows the heat to circulate around the chicken, ensuring even cooking and giving it that slight char. It creates a grilled chicken texture and flavor without needing an actual grill!
- Make the Sauce Ahead of Time: The Greek yogurt sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge. The flavors get better as they sit, so I suggest making it a day or two in advance. You can use any extra tzatziki on my chicken pasta!
- Warm the Pitas: Heating the pitas before assembling your wraps softens them and makes it easier to wrap the pita around the filling. It makes them taste better too. Warm up some extras and dip them in my spicy hummus! Oh, and you can slice the pitas to make a chicken pita pocket.
- Customize the Toppings: Feel free to add your favorite toppings like cucumbers, feta cheese, or olives. You can also switch up the greens by adding some arugula or spinach.
How To Make Chicken Pitas
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
In a large bowl, combine all the chicken marinade ingredients and give them a mix. Then add the chicken thighs and mix them to coat the chicken in the marinade.
Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight for the best flavor.
Step 2: Make the Garlic Sauce
While the chicken marinates, prepare the tzatziki sauce by whisking together the yogurt, mayonnaise, minced garlic, lemon juice, and salt. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
Keep the sauce in the fridge until you're ready to assemble the pitas. If making the sauce ahead of time, store in a glass jar with a sealed lid.
Step 3: Bake the Chicken
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Place a wire rack over the baking sheet and lay the marinated chicken thighs flat on the rack.
Bake the chicken for 30-35 minutes until cooked through and slightly charred on the outside. Let it cool before slicing.
Step 4: Assemble the Pitas
Warm the pitas in a pan on the stovetop over medium heat and spread a layer of sauce on each one. Add the sliced chicken, chopped tomatoes, parsley, and sliced onions, along with any other toppings you want. Serve immediately and enjoy!
FAQs About This Chicken Pita Recipe
Can I grill the chicken instead of baking it?
Yes! This recipe makes amazing grilled chicken pitas. Just be sure to grill the chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Then let it cool, slice, and assemble.
What else can I serve with these pitas?
These chicken pitas pair well with a side of hummus, Mediterranean rice, brown rice, or a simple cucumber salad for a complete Mediterranean-inspired meal.
How do I store leftovers?
I suggest storing all of the components of these wraps separately. Keep the chicken in an airtight container, and it'll last in the fridge for about 3 days. The tzatziki will last in a glass jar or container in the fridge for about a week.
More Easy Dinner Recipes
Chicken Pita Recipe with Amazing Homemade Tzatziki Sauce
This chicken pita recipe is packed with authentic flavors. I combine tender marinated chicken thighs, a creamy garlic sauce, and fresh veggies with a soft, warm pita to make easy chicken pita wraps that taste better than anything you can get from a restaurant. I think it's the perfect dish for a quick weeknight dinner or lunch, and it's so easy to make too! In fact, less than a handful of simple steps are all you have to follow to make my grilled chicken pita recipe.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb chicken thighs, skinless boneless
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ shallot, minced
- ½ lemon, zest and juice
- 3 tablespoon yogurt
- 2 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ¼ teaspoon ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup yogurt
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 4 small pitas
- Parsley
- Red onion
- tomatoes
Instructions
1. Create a marinade by combining all the marinade ingredients in a large bowl. add the chicken thighs and toss until well coated. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and allow to marinate in the fridge overnight, or at least 2 hours.
2. To make the garlic sauce, add all the ingredients to a small bowl and whisk to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Keep in the fridge until ready to assemble.
3. When ready to cook, preheat oven to 400F/200C. line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a wire rack over it. Lay the chicken pieces flat on the wire rack then transfer to the oven.
4. Bake for 30-35 minutes until cooked through and slightly charred.
5. Allow to cool on your counter until safe to handle. Thinly slice the chicken thighs and transfer them to a bowl.
6. Slightly heat the pitas and spread a layer of sauce on top. Add some chicken then top with chopped tomatoes, parsley, and sliced onions. Serve immediately!
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 601Total Fat: 31gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 24gCholesterol: 217mgSodium: 1526mgCarbohydrates: 35gFiber: 3gSugar: 13gProtein: 47g
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