Mediterranean Ground Chicken Pitas Recipe

Mediterranean cuisine is known for its vibrant, fresh, and healthy ingredients, often featuring herbs, vegetables, and lean proteins like chicken. Mediterranean Ground Chicken Pitas offer a fantastic way to enjoy these flavors in a simple, balanced meal. This recipe takes ground chicken and elevates it with Mediterranean spices, creating a satisfying filling that can be paired with soft pita bread, crisp veggies, and creamy sauces for a fresh, delicious meal.

Incorporating ingredients like garlic, onion, cumin, and oregano, along with fresh vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, and greens, makes these pitas a flavorful, nutritious option for lunch or dinner. You can customize them to fit your taste preferences, and they are perfect for meal prep or a quick weeknight dinner.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Ground Chicken Filling

1. Cook the Aromatics: Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet or frying pan. Once the oil is hot, add the finely chopped onion. Sauté for about 4-5 minutes, or until the onion is soft and translucent. Add the minced garlic to the pan and sauté for an additional 1 minute, stirring frequently to avoid burning the garlic.

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2. Cook the Ground Chicken: Add the ground chicken to the pan, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Continue to cook for about 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally until the chicken is fully cooked and browned.

3. Season the Chicken: Once the chicken is cooked through, sprinkle in the cumin, paprika, oregano, coriander, and cinnamon. Stir the mixture to evenly coat the chicken with the spices. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Add the lemon juice to the pan, stirring to incorporate. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.

4. Add Fresh Herbs (Optional): If using fresh parsley or dill, stir them into the ground chicken mixture at this point. You can also fold in crumbled feta cheese for added flavor and creaminess. Cook for another 1-2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

5. Remove from Heat: Once everything is well combined and the chicken is fully cooked and seasoned, remove the skillet from the heat and set aside.

Step 2: Prepare the Pita Toppings

1. Chop the Vegetables: While the chicken is cooking, prepare the fresh vegetables for the pitas. Dice the cucumber, tomato, and red onion. Slice the Kalamata olives. Set them aside in small bowls.

2. Prepare Greens: If you’re using mixed greens or lettuce, wash and dry them thoroughly. Set aside.

3. Prepare Sauces: If you’re making homemade hummus and tzatziki sauce, prepare them ahead of time, or you can use store-bought versions to save time.

Step 3: Assemble the Pitas

1. Warm the Pitas: If your pita bread is not already warm, place the pitas in a dry skillet or on a grill pan over low heat for 1-2 minutes, or wrap them in foil and warm them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes. You want them soft and pliable for easy folding.

2. Fill the Pitas: Open up each pita bread pocket gently, being careful not to tear the bread. Start by adding a spoonful of the Mediterranean ground chicken mixture into the bottom of each pita. Depending on the size of your pita, you may need to adjust the amount of filling.

3. Add the Fresh Veggies: Top the chicken with a layer of diced cucumber, tomato, and red onion. Add a few Kalamata olive slices for that classic Mediterranean flavor.

4. Add Greens and Sauces: Layer on a handful of mixed greens. Spoon some hummus into each pita for creaminess, followed by a dollop of tzatziki sauce for added tang and freshness.

5. Garnish (Optional): If desired, garnish with extra feta cheese, a sprinkle of fresh parsley, or dill for an extra touch of Mediterranean flair. Serve with lemon wedges on the side for a zesty squeeze right before eating.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy

• Serve your Mediterranean Ground Chicken Pitas immediately while the filling is warm and the pitas are soft. These pitas are perfect for a casual dinner, lunch, or meal prep.
• Pair them with a side of Greek salad or roasted vegetables for a more complete Mediterranean meal.

Tips for the Perfect Mediterranean Ground Chicken Pitas

• Customize the Vegetables: Feel free to add or omit any vegetables based on your preferences. You can also include ingredients like roasted red peppers, baby spinach, or even avocado slices.
• Make it Spicy: If you like a bit of heat, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the ground chicken mixture or drizzle your pita with a spicy hot sauce or harissa.
• Grill the Chicken: For a smoky flavor, you can opt to grill the chicken mixture on skewers or patties instead of cooking it in a skillet. This adds a nice charred taste that complements the fresh veggies perfectly.
• Low-Carb Option: For a low-carb or gluten-free option, skip the pita and use large lettuce leaves (like Romaine or iceberg) to create a wrap instead. You can also serve the chicken filling and toppings as a salad on a plate.
• Meal Prep Friendly: You can prepare the ground chicken mixture and toppings ahead of time and store them separately in the refrigerator. When ready to eat, simply warm the chicken, assemble the pitas, and enjoy.

Variations of Mediterranean Ground Chicken Pitas

1. Spicy Mediterranean Pitas

• Add harissa paste or chili flakes to the ground chicken mixture to give it a fiery kick. You can also drizzle a spicy tahini sauce over the pitas to enhance the heat.

2. Veggie-Packed Mediterranean Pitas

• Add roasted or grilled vegetables such as zucchini, eggplant, or bell peppers to the pita for an extra boost of flavor and nutrients. You can also add some roasted chickpeas for a crunchy element.

3. Falafel-Inspired Pitas

• Swap the ground chicken with falafel balls for a vegetarian twist. Warm the falafel and stuff them into the pita with the same toppings. The combination of falafel, hummus, and tzatziki is classic and irresistible.

4. Chicken Shawarma Pitas

• Use shawarma spices (cumin, coriander, turmeric, paprika, and cinnamon) in the ground chicken mixture to make a shawarma-inspired filling. This variation can be served with pickled onions, cucumber, and tahini sauce.

Why You’ll Love Mediterranean Ground Chicken Pitas

1. Balanced Meal: This recipe offers a perfect balance of protein from the chicken, healthy fats from the olive oil and feta cheese, fiber from the vegetables and whole wheat pita, and fresh flavors from the herbs and sauces.
2. Customizable: You can adjust the ingredients and toppings to suit your preferences, making it easy to tweak the recipe for different dietary needs or flavor profiles.
3. Healthy: Mediterranean cuisine is known for being heart-healthy and packed with nutrients, making this meal a great option for anyone looking to eat clean while enjoying bold flavors.
4. Quick and Easy: These pitas come together in under 30 minutes, making them a perfect choice for busy weeknights, meal prepping, or even a weekend lunch.
5. Kid-Friendly: The flavors are mild enough for kids to enjoy, while still being vibrant and exciting for adults. You can also get creative with fun fillings and toppings for the little ones.

Conclusion

Mediterranean Ground Chicken Pitas are a vibrant, healthy, and delicious meal that brings together fresh ingredients and bold flavors in a simple, easy-to-make dish. Whether you’re looking for a quick dinner, a flavorful lunch, or a meal prep option for the week, these pitas are an excellent choice. By using lean ground chicken, vegetables, and a variety of herbs and spices, you can enjoy the tastes of the Mediterranean with every bite.

Give this recipe a try, and enjoy a satisfying, nutritious meal that’s bursting with flavor!

Yield: 4

Mediterranean Ground Chicken Pitas Recipe

Print

Mediterranean cuisine is known for its vibrant, fresh, and healthy ingredients, often featuring herbs, vegetables, and lean proteins like chicken. Mediterranean Ground Chicken Pitas offer a fantastic way to enjoy these flavors in a simple, balanced meal. This recipe takes ground chicken and elevates it with Mediterranean spices, creating a satisfying filling that can be paired with soft pita bread, crisp veggies, and creamy sauces for a fresh, delicious meal.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Ingredients

• For the ground chicken:
• 1 lb ground chicken
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• For the tzatziki sauce:
• 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cucumber, grated and excess water squeezed out
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried dill)
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• For the pitas and toppings:
• 4 pita breads (whole wheat or white)
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup kalamata olives, pitted and chopped
• 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
• Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

1. Make the tzatziki sauce:
   In a small bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, lemon juice, dill, garlic, salt, and pepper.
   Stir until well combined and refrigerate while preparing the rest of the meal.
   
2. Cook the ground chicken:
   In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
   Add the chopped onion and garlic, cooking for 2-3 minutes until softened.
   Add the ground chicken to the skillet, breaking it up with a spatula. Cook for 5-7 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked and browned.
   Stir in the oregano, cumin, paprika, lemon juice, salt, and pepper, and cook for another 1-2 minutes to combine.
   
3. Prepare the pitas:
   Warm the pita bread by either heating it in a dry skillet for 1-2 minutes per side or wrapping them in a damp towel and microwaving for 20-30 seconds.
   
4. Assemble the pitas:
   Cut each pita in half to create pockets.
   Spoon the cooked ground chicken mixture into each pita pocket.
   Top with halved cherry tomatoes, red onion slices, olives, and crumbled feta cheese.
   Drizzle a generous amount of tzatziki sauce over the filling and garnish with fresh parsley.
   
5. Serve:
   Serve the Mediterranean Ground Chicken Pitas immediately, with extra tzatziki sauce on the side if desired.

Notes

• You can make the tzatziki sauce ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 2 days.
• If you’re short on time, you can use store-bought tzatziki sauce.
• For extra crunch, you can add some shredded lettuce or spinach to the pita.
• You can substitute ground turkey or beef for the ground chicken if preferred.
• These pitas are perfect for meal prep — just keep the components separate and assemble before serving.