Greek Souvlaki Pitas Recipe

Introduction

Greek Souvlaki Pitas are a delicious and authentic way to enjoy tender marinated chicken grilled to perfection, served with fresh vegetables and tangy tzatziki sauce wrapped in warm pita bread. This flavorful dish is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or casual gatherings with friends and family.

A grilled chicken skewer with a charred, golden-brown texture sits on top of a soft, slightly puffed light beige pita bread. Below the chicken, there are fresh chopped cucumber pieces in green, thick slices of red onion, shiny black olives, and two bright red grape tomatoes. A smooth white sauce is drizzled over the chicken and some vegetables. The dish is served on a white plate with a black pattern, placed on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 2 teaspoons black pepper
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 tablespoons garlic, minced
  • 1 lemon, sliced
  • 2 teaspoons oregano
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
  • 6 small wood skewers, soaked in water
  • 12 kalamata olives
  • 1/2 cup cucumber, sliced
  • 1/2 cup red onion, sliced into rounds
  • 18 cherry tomatoes
  • 4 pita breads
  • Tzatziki sauce or Greek dressing

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, combine salt, black pepper, bay leaf, minced garlic, oregano, sliced lemon, and olive oil. Stir well to create the marinade. Add the cubed chicken breasts and toss until the pieces are fully coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 1 hour to let the flavors infuse. Meanwhile, soak the wooden skewers in water to prevent burning during cooking.
  2. Step 2: Thread the marinated chicken cubes onto the soaked wooden skewers. Heat an iron skillet over medium heat and add a little olive oil. Place the skewers in the skillet and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through, lightly blackened, and crispy on the outside.
  3. Step 3: To assemble, warm the pita breads slightly. Fill each pita with cooked chicken skewers, sliced cucumber, kalamata olives, cherry tomatoes, and a few rings of red onion. Drizzle tzatziki sauce or Greek dressing over the top for a refreshing finish. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

  • For a smoky flavor, cook the skewers on a grill instead of a skillet.
  • Use pork or lamb cubes instead of chicken for a different taste.
  • Substitute pita with flatbread or wraps if preferred.
  • Add fresh herbs like parsley or mint to the pita for extra freshness.

Storage

Store leftover cooked chicken skewers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep pita breads separately wrapped to maintain softness. To reheat, warm the chicken gently in a skillet or microwave until heated through, and warm the pita before assembling again.

How to Serve

A white plate with black lines holds a pita flatbread folded slightly in the back. On the flatbread, there is a wooden skewer with grilled chicken pieces that are golden brown with charred edges, placed at the back. In front of the chicken, there are chunks of thick green cucumber, slices of purple onion, small dark olives, and two red grape tomatoes. White creamy sauce is drizzled over the vegetables and chicken, creating a smooth contrast with the bright and roasted colors. The surface under the plate is a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I marinate the chicken overnight?

Yes, marinating the chicken overnight will deepen the flavors, but avoid exceeding 24 hours as the acidity from the lemon can start to break down the meat texture.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! Substitute the pita bread with gluten-free flatbreads or lettuce wraps to keep the dish gluten-free without sacrificing taste.

Print
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Greek Souvlaki Pitas Recipe


  • Author: Ethan
  • Total Time: 1 hour 22 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

This Greek Souvlaki Pitas recipe features tender, marinated chicken cubes grilled to perfection on wooden skewers, served with fresh Mediterranean toppings like cucumber, kalamata olives, cherry tomatoes, and red onion, all wrapped in warm pita bread and finished with creamy tzatziki sauce or Greek dressing. It’s a delicious, vibrant meal perfect for a casual lunch or dinner inspired by classic Greek street food.


Ingredients

Scale

Marinade and Chicken

  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 2 teaspoons black pepper
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 tablespoons garlic, minced
  • 1 lemon, sliced
  • 2 teaspoons oregano
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed into 1/2 inch pieces
  • 6 small wood skewers, soaked in water

Toppings and Assembly

  • 12 kalamata olives
  • 1/2 cup cucumber, sliced
  • 1/2 cup red onion, sliced into rounds
  • 18 cherry tomatoes
  • 4 pita breads
  • Tzatziki sauce or Greek dressing, for serving

Instructions

  1. Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, combine salt, black pepper, bay leaf, minced garlic, oregano, sliced lemon, and olive oil. Stir well to blend the flavors. Add the cubed chicken pieces to the marinade and toss until evenly coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 1 hour to allow the chicken to absorb the flavors. Meanwhile, soak the wooden skewers in water to prevent burning during cooking.
  2. Cook the Chicken Skewers: Thread the marinated chicken cubes evenly onto the soaked wooden skewers. Heat an iron skillet over medium heat and drizzle a bit of olive oil to prevent sticking. Place the chicken skewers onto the skillet and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is fully cooked through, lightly blackened, and crispy on the outside.
  3. Assemble the Pitas: Warm the pita breads if desired. Fill each pita with cooked chicken skewers, sliced cucumber, kalamata olives, cherry tomatoes, and red onion rounds. Drizzle generously with tzatziki sauce or your choice of Greek dressing. Serve immediately while warm for the best taste experience.

Notes

  • Soaking wooden skewers beforehand prevents them from burning on the skillet.
  • Marinating the chicken for at least an hour enhances the flavor and tenderness.
  • You can substitute chicken with pork or lamb for traditional Greek souvlaki variations.
  • Warm the pita bread slightly before assembling to make it more pliable and flavorful.
  • Adjust the amount of garlic and oregano based on your flavor preference.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: Greek

Keywords: Greek souvlaki, chicken skewers, pita wrap, Mediterranean, grilled chicken, tzatziki, Greek recipe

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