Greek Grilled Chicken Souvlaki Pitas with Tzatziki and Charred Onion

In a bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, smoked paprika and 1/2 tsp salt, then add the chicken and toss to coat; marinate at least 30 minutes.

Serves 4

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 4 thick pita breads
• 1 large red onion, cut into thick rings
• 1 cup Greek yogurt
• 1/2 English cucumber, grated and squeezed dry
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

Instructions

1. In a bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, smoked paprika and 1/2 tsp salt, then add the chicken and toss to coat; marinate at least 30 minutes.
2. Stir together the Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, dill, one minced garlic clove and the remaining salt to make the tzatziki, then chill until serving.
3. Thread the marinated chicken onto skewers and heat your grill to medium-high until the grates are hot.
4. Grill the skewers, turning every few minutes, until the chicken is charred at the edges and cooked through, about 10 to 12 minutes total.
5. Lay the onion rings directly on the grill and char until soft and smoky, about 4 minutes per side, then separate into petals.
6. Warm the pitas on the grill for 30 seconds per side until soft and lightly toasted.
7. Slide the grilled chicken off the skewers and pile onto the warm pitas with the charred onion, cherry tomatoes and a generous spoonful of tzatziki.
8. Roll up each pita, wrap the base in parchment for easy holding, and serve immediately.
9. Souvlaki is the beating heart of Greek street food, where small skewers of marinated meat are grilled over charcoal and tucked into warm bread with cooling yogurt sauce. Bringing it to a summer cookout offers a lighter, brighter alternative to the usual burgers while still delivering that essential char-grilled satisfaction everyone craves on a hot afternoon.

Nutrition (estimated, per serving)

• Calories: 560 kcal
• Protein: 42g
• Fat: 24g
• Carbohydrates: 42g
• Fiber: 4g
• Sugar: 7g
• Sodium: 980mg