Greek Chicken Feta Stuffed Pitas (Printer-friendly)

Lemon-marinated chicken with feta and pearl couscous salad in warm pitas, topped with tzatziki sauce.

# Required Ingredients:

→ Greek Lemon Chicken

01 - 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - Juice and zest of 1 lemon
04 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
05 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
06 - ½ teaspoon dried thyme
07 - ½ teaspoon salt
08 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper

→ Pearl Couscous Salad

09 - 1 cup pearl couscous
10 - 2 cups water or chicken broth
11 - ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
12 - ¼ cup cucumber, diced
13 - ¼ cup red onion, finely chopped
14 - ¼ cup Kalamata olives, sliced
15 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
16 - 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
17 - 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
18 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Assembly

19 - 4 large pita breads, halved
20 - 3.5 oz feta cheese, crumbled
21 - 1 cup tzatziki sauce
22 - Lettuce leaves, optional

# How-To Steps:

01 - In a bowl, combine olive oil, lemon juice and zest, minced garlic, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper. Add chicken and toss to coat thoroughly. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes, up to 2 hours for enhanced flavor.
02 - In a saucepan, bring water or broth to a boil. Add pearl couscous, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes until tender. Drain and transfer to a large bowl to cool slightly.
03 - Add cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, olives, and parsley to the cooled couscous. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and red wine vinegar. Season with salt and pepper, then toss gently to combine.
04 - Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Remove chicken from marinade and grill 5 to 6 minutes per side until cooked through. Allow chicken to rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
05 - Warm the pita breads in a dry skillet or oven for a few minutes until soft and pliable.
06 - Gently open each pita half. Layer with lettuce if desired, followed by couscous salad, sliced chicken, crumbled feta, and a generous spoonful of tzatziki sauce.
07 - Serve the stuffed pitas immediately while warm.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The chicken stays impossibly juicy because the lemon marinade works like a gentle tenderizer, plus it comes together in under an hour.
  • There's something deeply satisfying about building your own pita at the table, each bite a personal mix of textures and flavors.
  • It actually feels lighter and more energizing than heavy meals, even though you're completely full afterward.
02 -
  • Don't skip letting the chicken rest after cooking—those 5 minutes let the juices redistribute, so you're not cutting into dry meat and losing everything.
  • If your pita pocket tears, don't panic; just layer everything in anyway and eat it with a fork—it'll still be delicious, and no one needs to know.
03 -
  • Make the couscous salad an hour or two ahead of time—it actually tastes better when the flavors have time to get to know each other, and it's one less thing to worry about when people arrive.
  • If you're cooking for guests, set up an assembly station with all your components in small bowls and let people build their own pitas; it feels interactive and everyone gets exactly what they want.
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