You know how there are those dinners you make over and over again and don’t get sick of? These lamb chop pitas with spinach, feta, and yogurt is definitely one of those dinner in my household.
Little lamb chops cooked with some Greek seasoning and quickly fried in a pan and then sliced and put on a pita with spinach, feta and yogurt are a combination of flavors and a dinner that I make ALL the time, it’s a definite ‘go to’ easy dinner idea. Best part? The whole meal takes less than 20 minutes to make! Sign me up!
Even though the sun doesn’t set until later in the day (yay – at least it’s still light out when I get home) the traffic is so horrible right now getting to-and-from work, that instead of getting those extra sunlight hours to use the natural light for photography or even just enjoying the start of the spring time weather by being outside…I end up being stuck in traffic. It now takes me 45 min + each way. As I mentioned in my faves & life lately post – the only thing getting me through is listening to books on Audible (I’m still always looking for recommendations, so please feel free to leave any good book recs!)
There is major construction happening by this interchange where I live, and it’s supposed to “get worse before it gets better” great news … oh wait, and there’s more….there’s supposed to be construction happening on this same interchange for the next 5 years! It’s not fun, and I have to keep telling myself there’s really nothing I can do about it. Do you get stuck in interminable traffic or have a long commute?
So by the time I get home, it is already pretty late in the evening and I just want to make something super quick. These lamb chop pitas fit the bill perfectly. To make them you’re simply going to fry the lamb chops in some olive oil, and while you’re doing so you’re going to set up the toppings (it is really as unglamorous as opening the fridge and getting out some yogurt, feta, and spinach leaves, bonus points if you have guests coming over and you put the ingredients in little serving bowls) and then you’re going to warm up some pitas and that’s it! Easy, right?
These pitas can also be made with chicken breasts, just substitute the protein in the recipe and you’re all set. This is just one of those super simple recipes that is a go to in our household, hope you enjoy the recipe and try it soon – if you do, I’d love to see a picture of it on social media (I’m always checking out the #sweetphiblog hashtag to see what other readers have made, and love love love seeing all the recreations! Tag me on Instagram, @philiakelnhofer)
Other recipes you might enjoy:
Lamb Chop Pitas {with spinach, feta, and yogurt}
Ingredients
- 1/2-3/4 lb lamb chops
- 1 tablespoon Greek seasoning
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 4 small pitas or 2 large ones
- 1 cup baby spinach leaves
- 1/4 cup feta cheese crumbled
- 1/4 cup plain yogurt
- additional optional add ons: sliced cucumbers, finely sliced red onions, chopped olives
Instructions
- Pat the lamb chops dry with a paper towel, and sprinkle each side of the lamb chops with Greek seasoning, patting it onto the meat with your hands so that it sticks.
- In a large frying pan over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil for 1 minute, then add in the lamb chops and allow them to cook for 4 minutes, flip, and cook for another 4 minutes. Remove from heat and allow the lamb chops to sit in the pan for 5 minutes to rest (internal temp of the lamb should be 160 degrees for medium, if you like it cooked to well done, let cook for 5 minutes on each side and reach an internal meat temp of 170). After the lamb has rested, slice into thin slices.
- While the meat is cooking, preheat the oven to 350 and warm the pitas for a few minutes (3 minutes) to get them warm.
- Set out the remaining ingredients (spinach, feta, yogurt)
- To assemble lay pita on a plate, top with a spoonful of yogurt, spinach leaves, lamb chop slices, and a pinch or two of feta cheese. Fold up sides to form a pita and enjoy!
Trisha says
I am going to have a bit of a commute this fall and have been wondering about how I will stay sane….audio books are a great idea. I also love podcasts. Have you ready Mindy Kaling’s new book? It’s great in audio form and would keep you laughing your whole drive. Will be trying these pitas with chicken!
Sweetphi says
These pitas would be great with chicken (I’ve made them with chicken many times, I follow the exact same recipe but just use chicken instead). And YES! Mindy’s book was so funny, I listened to it on audible and it was so great to hear it. The commute is SO much easier when listening to books and podcasts, time flies right on by 😉
lucie says
Such a beautiful dish Phi – and I love your photography!
Sweetphi says
Thank you so much Lucie, I really appreciate your compliment – photography is something I truly enjoy 🙂
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
These just screams Greek food to me! We don’t eat lamb any more, but I always remember how well feta and yoghurt went with lamb, especially with some fresh mint too.
Sweetphi says
These pitas are so delicious and can be made with chicken too (I’ve done that many times!) Feta and yogurt with fresh herbs…yum!!!
Little Cooking Tips says
Very interesting recipe Phi! We haven’t tried spinach with lamb before ourselves. Those pitas look plump and pocket-less., like the ones we use in gyros and souvlaki. These are even better if you brush them with a tad of olive oil and grill them on the stove-top on a pan, have you tried that before?
As for the traffic, this used to be a huge problem here in Athens as well, but now due to the financial crisis there’s less cars on the streets so it’s not the problem it used to be. When we’re stuck we play music or clips from youtube, using an FM transmitter that’s plugged into the lighter socket of the car:)
Thanx for the yummy idea sweetie! xoxoxo
Sweetphi says
Spinach and lamb go so well together, I would definitely suggest giving it a try 🙂 The pitas I used were a little thicker, you could put these fillings in a pita pocket or use a pita with no pocket, both work great! Grilling the pitas with a little olive oil sounds super delish, I haven’t done that with these but I have done that for other dishes, so good! And it’s always so interesting to hear about traffic around the world 🙂
Sarah says
These look just stunning- I love lamb chops and putting them in a pita is definitely a great way to serve them. Even though it’s the impetus for your quick and easy recipes, I’m so sorry about your horrible commute! I remember you mentioning the construction was going to start up and make things worse for you… I had an abominable commute for the better part of 2 years and I’m so glad that it’s shorter now. At least you have good weather and some audiobooks? I definitely got addicted to NPR during that stage of my life… lol.
Sweetphi says
Thank you so much, these pitas are perfect for quick and easy dinners 🙂 And I remember you also talking about your horrible commute, now it’s my turn to experience it lol. Audio books and great music make the time fly by, but I definitely want to find the NPR station to listen to it, great suggestion!
Denise says
This is a meal that screams us – love all the flavors and the simplicity of the recipe is perfect for a midweek dinner. One question – what is the brand for the Greek Seasoning? Thanks!
Sweetphi says
This definitely is super perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, so glad you like the idea, and thank you for your comment! What a great question about the seasoning! I like to use McCormick’s Mediterranean spiced sea salt blend, or they have this little spice shop by us that sells a ‘Greek seasoning’ mix that has oregano, thyme, dill and some other spices in it. Any seasoning mix with oregano would be great!
shawnna griffin says
hey girl these look so yummy! I have never had lamb chops!
Sweetphi says
These pitas are definitely delicious, and the perfect way to try lamb chops for the first time! If you don’t eat lamb, these would be amazing with chicken too!
Rachel @ Bakerita says
Oooh I love the idea of using lamb chops in a pita wrap – Greek food is my favorite and this looks like such an elevated and delish way to enjoy it!
Sweetphi says
I’m right there with you, in 100% agreement – Greek food is my fave too!! Lamb chops on these pitas is such a quick and easy dinner recipe, I make these all the time!
Sues says
I love everything about this dish! That lamb looks so gorgeous!
Sweetphi says
Thank you so much, this truly is one delicious fast and easy dinner 🙂