Homemade Greek Food Dinner Fully Loaded

A taste of Greece at home

We travelled to a small island in Greece during the half-term holiday and the trip reminded me how much our family loves Greek food. My daughter made me promise that I would cook a Homemade Greed Food Dinner once we got home.

She couldn't get enough of the soft pita bread and creamy tzatziki; my son's favourite was the chicken souvlaki; and my husband adored the Greek lemon potatoes. Me? I loved everything, especially the bright, refreshing Greek salad.

So I decided to make them all - a Homemade Greek Food Dinner Fully Loaded that turned our kitchen into a mini Greek taverna for the night.

Cooking from scratch

I always prefer to cook from scratch whenever I can. Instead of buying flatbread from the supermarket, I made the pita dough at home - with my little daughter helping me roll it out. It might sound like a lot to prepare but with a bit of planning, it's absolutely doable and perfect for a weekend family meal or even a mid-week treat.

Each dish has its own charm and when put together, they make a table full of sunshine, colour and joy.

How to make Chicken Souvlaki

This is one of the simplest chicken dishes you can make - easy, quick and full of flavour. I used chicken thigh fillets but breast works too if you prefer leaner meat.

For the marinade:

• Juice of 1 lemon
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Method

Cut the chicken into cubes of about 2.5cm then mix everything together in a bowl and let it rest in the fridge for at least 3-4 hours. When ready to cook, thread the pieces onto wooden skewers (about 5-6 per skewer).

Air fry at 240°C for 5-7 minutes, flip them over and cook for another 5 minutes until golden and cooked through. The chicken comes out tender, lemony and full of that distinctive oregano aroma.

The simplest Greek Pita Flatbread recipe

Pita bread is essential for any Homemade Greek Food Dinner. Making it from scratch is simple, you just need:

• Strong white bread flour
• Instant yeast
• Salt
• Sugar
• Lukewarm water

Mix everything together and knead for around 10 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and elastic. Lightly dust with flour, cover with a tea towel and let it rise for about an hour or until doubled in size.

Once risen, divide into six small balls and let them rest for another 30 minutes. Roll out each one into a 20cm circle and cook in a lightly oiled pan over medium heat. Cover with a lid and cook for 2 minutes per side or until golden. The bread will puff slightly and become soft and fluffy, perfect for wrapping or dipping.

Creamy Tzatziki

Tzatziki ties everything together - cool, garlicky and refreshing. It's incredibly easy to make too.

Peel and grate a long cucumber, sprinkle with salt and leave it to sit for 10 minutes before squeezing out the excess water. In a mixing bowl, combine:

• Greek yoghurt
• Grated cucumber
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Olive oil
• A splash of red wine vinegar
• Salt and pepper to taste

Mix everything until smooth and creamy. The result is the perfect dip for chicken, pita or even roasted potatoes.

Greek Lemon Potatoes

Greek potatoes are my husband's favourite - soft inside, slightly crispy on the outside and beautifully flavoured with lemon, garlic and oregano.

Peel and cut the potatoes into chunky wedges. In a jug, mix together:

• Chicken stock
• Olive oil
• Lemon juice
• Minced garlic
• Dried oregano
• A pinch of salt

Lay the potatoes in a baking tray, lined with baking paper. Pour the mixture over and bake at 200°C for 30 minutes. Flip the wedges, then bake for another 20 minutes. For a lovely golden edge, increase the oven to 220°C and bak for 5-10 minutes more.

Sometimes I add a few wedges of sweet potato too, it gives the dish more colour and natural sweetness.

Fresh Greek Salad

No Homemade Greek Food Dinner is complete without a vibrant Greek salad. I chopped cucumber, tomatoes, red onion and a little pepper then tossed everything in a bowl. I crumbled feta cheese on top and added a handful of olives.

For the dressing, I whisked together olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, dried oregano, a pinch of salt and a touch of pepper then drizzled it all over. It's fresh, simple and full of flavour.

Our Greek Feast

And there it was - our Homemade Greek Food Dinner Fully Loaded: chicken souvlaki skewers, golden lemon potatoes, soft pita triangles, creamy tzatziki and a crisp Greek salad.

The chicken was juicy and fragrant, the tzatziki cool and garlicky and the potatoes perfectly roasted. It was the kind of dinner that made everyone smile and reminded us of warm Greek evenings by the sea.