Change up your burger game with this recipe. Grill the burgers inside the pita for a deliciously crispy “bun”. You have got to try these Chicken Burgers in Pita Pockets with Tzatziki Sauce the next time you want to grill.

Tzatziki is my favorite condiment. It’s kind of like that Frank’s Red Hot Sauce commercial. I put it on everything: salads, gyros, pita, chips, veggies, AND Burgers. For those of you that are thinking, “what in the heck is tzatkiki?”. It’s a mix of creamy yogurt, shredded cucumbers, lemon juice, and some spices. It’s cool, refreshing, and everything you want on a warm Spring or Summer (or Fall, or Winter) day! It is pronounced: tuh·zee·kee.

If you like this Greek dish, you’ll love Mediterranean Artichoke Chicken.

These chicken burgers in pita pockets with tzatziki are pretty darn easy, and oh so tasty! We’re making them a little differently than your typical burger. Once your ground chicken is seasoned and ready to go, stuff the raw chicken into pita pockets that have been brushed with olive oil and sprinkled with a little salt. I know this seems odd, but let me tell you, they grill up beautifully! Just don’t over stuff them.

My no-bake Chunky Artichoke Dip makes the perfect appetizer for these Pita Pocket Chicken Burgers! Make it in less than 15 minutes.

Health Benefits

Greek Yogurt

Typically, tzatziki sauce has sour cream in it as well as Greek yogurt. However, we are lightening things up around here, so ALL Greek Yogurt is what we’re going with. I use Fage Greek Yogurt 2% when I make this.

If you aren’t as concerned with your fat intake, or can stand to gain a few pounds, use the 5% Greek yogurt. The 5% is creamier, richer, and velvetier (velvetier should be a word). However, if 2% is all you have had, than you won’t know any different.

According to David Heitz’s article, Health Benefits of Greek Yogurt at Healthline.com, Greek Yogurt provides you with:

• Protein
• Probiotics
• Calcium
• B-12
• Potassium.

Protein helps you feel fuller longer. “Protein is also one of the three nutrients that provide energy. Probiotics are healthy bacteria that can help boost your immune system and decrease stomach issues.” according to David Heitz. A Medical News Today article, Is Greek Yogurt Good for You, written by Lana Burgess, states that “eating Greek yogurt may improve bone health, as it is rich in protein and calcium.” She goes on to say, “Greek yogurt may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, a condition that affects how the body processes blood sugar.”

Cucumbers

In Marissa Miller’s article, 10 Cucumbers Health Benefits You Shouldn’t Ignore, at Women’s Health Magazine, she states the following benefits:

• Cucumbers are super nutritious
• They contain antioxidants and micronutrients
• May help keep your blood pressure in check
• Cucumbers can help with digestion
• They help strengthen your bones

An easy healthy snack that my mom always has is sliced cucumbers a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a sprinkle of tajin, a chili lime seasoning. Delicious...and so nutritious! Thanks Mom.

WebMD.com has an informative article about cucumbers. It says cucumbers are loaded with vitamin K and A. “Vitamin K helps your blood clot and keeps your bones healthy”. WebMD says Vitamin A wears many hats in helping your body out:

• Helps with Vision
• Aids your Immune System
• Benefits in Reproduction
• Helps your heart, lungs, and kidney’s operate

The article also states, “Cucumbers may also have health benefits outside your body. Putting them on your skin may help ease sunburn pain, swelling, and damaged skin. That’s why people sometimes put a slice or two under their eyes, hoping to shrink bags and ease puffiness.” As one that burns easily, I found this interesting. So, next time you forget to reapply that sunscreen, and get fried a little too crispy, bust out your mandolin. Slice up some cucumbers and place them all over your burn. You know that will feel amazing. And you will be comic relief for your partner or kids.

Chicken

Do we really need to go through the health benefits of chicken too? Why yes we do, real quick. Chicken is a leaner choice over beef and pork. It has less fat, which means less calories. Don’t get me wrong, I like pork chops and steak like the next gal. However, consume the pork and beef in moderation. That is all. Now, let’s get to cooking these Chicken Burgers in Pita Pockets with Tzatziki.

Making the Tzatziki

The tzatziki makes this dish. Here’s what you need to make your next favorite condiment and accompaniment for chicken burgers in pita pockets:

• Greek Yogurt
• Cucumber
• Garlic
• Lemon
• Fresh Dill, Mint, or Oregano
• White Vinegar
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• S&P

Picking & Prepping the Cucumber

I prefer to use English Cucumbers. They are longer, skinnier and usually wrapped in plastic at the store. English cucs don’t have that weird wax that is on the regular cucumbers. AND they don’t have so many seeds. Oh the seeds! I’m not a fan. If the regular cucs are your only option, half them length-wise, take a spoon, and scrap out the middle part where all the seeds are. Also, peel off all the skin. You can do this easily with a vegetable peeler. In the summer, please buy them from your local farmer. They won’t have the wax.

The Squeeze

The only thing that needs explanation in the prep of the Tzatziki is what to do with the cucumber. Cucumbers are 95% water. You do not want a watery tzatziki! There’s a few ways to get the water out. I prefer to squeeze it out. It’s also a good stress reliever.

• Take a veggie peeler, peel the skin off the cuc sporadically, or completely, if you don’t like the skin. Or leave it be, if you like the skin. The skin does hold most of the nutrients.

• Start shredding the cucumber. I use a box grater like the one above.
• Once the cuc is shredded, lay out a tea towel, and pile up the cucumber shreds in the middle. Why a tea towel? So you won’t get lint in your food…yuck.
• Twist the tea towel up, encasing the cucumber shreds. Put a bowl underneath, and squeeze! Work those biceps!
• Keep squeezing until you get most of the cucumber water out.

Don't toss that green cucumber water down the drain. Make a cocktail (or mocktail)! The cook needs to stay hydrated. Cucumber water goes great with fresh mint and club soda. Add a shot of gin or vodka if your cocktailing. 

Finishing Up the Tzatziki

You have your cucumber prepped and ready, now, just mix everything else in. Keep the tzatziki in the refrigerator once complete. The flavors will continue to blend together, making it better as it sits. This dip is tangy, light, creamy, and delicious. Tzatziki goes so well with these stuffed and grilled Chicken Burgers in Pita Pockets, as well as a salad dressing, a veggie dip, or mixed with some grains (such as quinoa) and feta for a power bowl snack.

If you like this grilled recipe, you will love my Sweet and Tangy Glazed Grilled Salmon.

Chicken Burgers in Pita Pockets

Now that your tzatziki is chilling in the fridge, it’s time for the chicken burger pita pockets. If you can’t find ground chicken at your local grocery store or butcher shop, ground turkey will work as well.

You don’t want to over mix your burgers. The meat will get tough. To prevent that, using a big bowl, put all your ingredients in and mix 1 time.

First up: Seasoning.

I like to use a Greek seasoning blend on these chicken burgers in pita pockets. However, keep your eyes on the ingredients in spice blends. One that I have used in the past has MSG in it. Yuck. I have recently bought spices from a local Kansas City kid that blends his own spices. Yousef Speaks Spices has a great story, check it out here.

If you have a stocked spice cabinet, blend your own using these spices:

• Oregano
• Garlic Powder
• Onion Powder
• Dill
• Basil
• Parsley
• Marjoram
• Thyme
• Mint
• Salt & Pepper

Fresh Herbs also work great here. If you have them readily available use ’em!

Wait, There’s More…

Once you have your spices picked out, it’s time to add some moisture and a bit more flavor. You don’t want dry hockey puck burgers! Adding in an egg and some extra virgin olive oil will do the trick. The egg helps it bind together, and the olive oil adds good fat to keep it juicy. If you are using previously frozen ground chicken, it could get a little soupy. You may think, “Do I really need to add more moisture?”. The answer is YES.

Throwing in some shallot and garlic will bring it all together. And if you dare…add in some feta crumbles. Mix all your flavorful ingredients together until just combined… don’t over mix.

Stuffing & Grilling the Chicken Burgers in Pita Pockets

In this recipe, we stuff the raw chicken in the pita pocket. Trust me, this is so tasty. The pita gets crispy, and the chicken stays juicy. Whole wheat pita with the pocket like to hide in the deli section of your local grocery store. Make sure you look for the word pocket on the package. Otherwise, you will be sad when you buy flat bread instead of pocketed bread. Toufayan is the brand that our store carries.

Once your chicken is seasoned, and your grill is started, prep the pita. Brush each side with extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle with a little bit of salt.

When the grill is ready, stuff the pitas. If you do this too early, the pitas will get soggy. Wait until you are ready to start grilling to stuff them.

Now, stuff the pita. Eyeball about 1/4 cup to 1/3 cup of the ground chicken mixture into each pita. (I like to use an ice cream scoop). If you over stuff them they will take longer to grill. Don’t char the pita. Check that they aren’t charring, and the internal temp is 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Condiments for Chicken Burgers in Pita Pockets

Don’t put ketchup, mustard, and pickles on these burgers. Think Greek! Bowl up some (or all) of these colorful accompaniments for you and your eaters to enjoy on the grilled stuffed pita pockets.

• Olives – sliced or halved
• Spinach
• Feta
• Cherry tomatoes – halved
• Red Onion – thinly sliced
• Cucumbers – sliced
• Tzatziki

I hope you like this recipe as much as we do. Please leave us a comment below and let us know what you are putting tzatziki on, or how your stuffed & grilled chicken burgers in pita pockets turned out.

If you like this recipe with Greek Yogurt, you’ll love this Spicy Smoked Sweet Potato Salad.

Thanks for reading along. I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do. If you would like more healthy recipes like this one sent right to your inbox, sign up for my Recipe Drops. They’re always FREE.