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Overhead shot of rice bowl with charred chicken, cucumber, feta, and tzatziki swirl on a rustic wooden table.

Grilled Chicken Pita Bowls with Fresh Tzatziki Sauce

Charred lemon-garlic chicken thighs served over rice with tomatoes, feta, olives, and a five-minute homemade tzatziki.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Calories: 609

Ingredients
  

Chicken Marinade
  • 700 g chicken thighs, boneless skinless pounded to even thickness
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice fresh
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1.5 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
Tzatziki
  • 1 cup Greek yogurt / 240 g; full-fat, plain
  • 1/2 cup cucumber grated; squeezed dry
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp fresh dill chopped; or 1 tsp dried
  • 1/4 tsp salt
Bowl
  • 1.5 cups white rice, cooked / 275 g
  • 2 pieces pita bread warmed and cut into wedges
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 cup cucumber diced
  • 1/4 cup red onion thinly sliced
  • 1/3 cup kalamata olives pitted
  • 1/2 cup feta cheese / 75 g; crumbled
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped, for garnish
  • 4 lemon wedges for serving

Method
 

Marinate and Make Tzatziki
  1. In a mixing bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 3 minced garlic cloves, oregano, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken thighs and turn to coat. Cover and marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, up to 4 hours.
  2. While the chicken marinates, grate the cucumber for the tzatziki and squeeze it dry in a clean kitchen towel. This keeps the sauce from turning watery later.
  3. In a separate bowl, mix the Greek yogurt, squeezed cucumber, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp olive oil, dill, and 1/4 tsp salt. Cover and chill until ready to serve.
Grill and Assemble
  1. Cook the rice according to package directions if you haven't done it ahead, then set aside.
  2. Heat a 12-inch grill pan or outdoor grill to medium-high, about 200 C / 400 F. Brush the grates lightly with oil.
  3. Shake off excess marinade and place the chicken thighs on the grill. Cook for 6 to 7 minutes per side, until the internal temperature reaches 165 F / 74 C and the juices run clear.
  4. Move the chicken to a cutting board and let it rest for 5 minutes, then slice.
  5. Warm the pita on the grill for 30 seconds per side, until soft with light char marks, then cut into wedges.
  6. Divide the rice between four bowls. Top each with sliced chicken, cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, red onion, and olives.
  7. Add a spoonful of feta to each bowl, then finish with a generous dollop of tzatziki. Scatter parsley on top and serve with pita wedges and lemon wedges on the side.

Notes

  • Marinate chicken for at least 30 minutes for real flavor.
  • Squeeze cucumber dry before mixing into tzatziki.
  • Pull chicken at 165 F / 74 C for juicy meat.
  • Warm pita on the grill during the last few minutes of cooking.
  • Assemble bowls right before serving so vegetables stay crisp.