Greek chicken mezze share platter
A vibrant Greek chicken mezze built for sharing and easy eating, fully gluten‑free and low in added sugar. Tender lemon‑garlic chicken thighs are roasted until golden and served with cooling tzatziki, a lively spicy feta dip, a fresh tomato–cucumber salad and warm GF flatbreads. Grilled halloumi, lemon‑garlic green beans and marinated mushrooms round out the platter with satisfying texture and flavour. Designed to suit a coeliac guest and to be type 1 diabetes‑friendly, this spread focuses on protein, fresh veg and smart fats, with carbs mainly from the optional flatbreads. Perfect for a relaxed dinner where everyone assembles their own plate.
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mediterranean
Servings 8 People
Calories 1170 kcal
Chicken
- 6 cloves garlic finely grated
- 4 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 2 tsp sweet paprika
- 2 tsp fine salt
- 1 tsp cracked black pepper
- Lemon wedges to serve
Quick tzatziki (GF)
- 500 g Greek yoghurt check gluten‑free
- 2 small Lebanese cucumbers coarsely grated, liquid squeezed out
- 2 small garlic cloves finely grated
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill or mint
- Pinch salt and pepper
Spicy feta dip (tirokafteri, GF)
- 400 g Greek feta crumbled
- 1 large roasted red capsicum peeled and seeded (about 160 g flesh)
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 small garlic clove optional
- 1 –2 tsp dried chilli flakes to taste
- Black pepper
Tomato–cucumber salad (GF)
- 500 g cherry tomatoes halved
- 2 Lebanese cucumbers chopped
- 1/2 medium red onion very thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper
Gluten‑free flatbreads (quick yoghurt version, makes 10–12)
- 240 g gluten‑free plain flour blend with xanthan gum
- 30 g fine white rice flour
- 10 g psyllium husk powder
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp fine salt
- 1 tsp sugar substitute or omit
- 250 g Greek yoghurt full‑fat
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 80 –120 ml warm water as needed
- Oil for cooking
Extras
- 500 g block halloumi patted dry
- 1 –1.5 cups Kalamata olives
- Dolmades check GF, optional
- Fresh herbs: dill parsley or mint, to finish
- Lemon wedges
Veg sides (GF)
- 800 g green beans topped and tailed
- 600 g button mushrooms
- 6 tbsp olive oil total
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 2 tbsp chopped dill or parsley
- salt and pepper
Marinate and cook the chicken
In a large bowl, whisk 6 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp lemon zest, 4 tbsp lemon juice, 6 grated garlic cloves, 4 tsp dried oregano, 2 tsp ground cumin, 2 tsp sweet paprika, 2 tsp salt and 1 tsp cracked pepper.
Add 1.6 kg chicken thighs and toss to coat well. Marinate 30 minutes at room temp or up to 24 hours in the fridge.
Heat oven to 220°C fan. Line 2 trays. Arrange the 1.6 kg marinated chicken in a single layer.
Roast 15 minutes at 220°C fan, then switch to grill at 240°C and grill a further 10–15 minutes until deep golden and at least 74°C internal.
Rest 5–10 minutes, then slice. Serve with lemon wedges.
Tzatziki
In a bowl, combine 500 g Greek yoghurt, 2 grated small cucumbers (squeezed dry), 2 tbsp lemon juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp chopped dill or mint, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
Mix and refrigerate until serving.
Spicy feta dip (tirokafteri)
In a processor, blend 400 g feta, 1 roasted capsicum (about 160 g flesh), 2 tbsp lemon juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, optional 1 small garlic clove, and 1–2 tsp chilli flakes until smooth. Season with black pepper.
Transfer to a bowl and drizzle with a little olive oil.
Tomato–cucumber salad
In a large bowl, toss 500 g halved cherry tomatoes, 2 chopped cucumbers and 1/2 thinly sliced red onion.
Dress with 2 tbsp red wine vinegar, 4 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp dried oregano, and salt and pepper. Set aside.
Gluten‑free flatbreads
Whisk dry: 240 g GF plain flour, 30 g rice flour, 10 g psyllium powder, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp salt, and optional 1 tsp sugar substitute.
Add wet: mix in 250 g Greek yoghurt and 2 tbsp olive oil. Add 80–120 ml warm water gradually to form a soft, slightly tacky dough.
Rest 15 minutes to hydrate. Divide into 10–12 balls. Keep covered.
Roll each between lightly oiled baking paper to 16–18 cm.
Cook on a hot cast‑iron or heavy pan with a film of oil, 1–2 minutes per side until puffed and spotty. Stack and keep wrapped in a clean tea towel.
Grilled halloumi (no honey)
Slice 2 × 250 g halloumi into 1–1.5 cm slabs and pat dry.
Heat a non‑stick or cast‑iron pan on medium‑high. Sear halloumi 1–2 minutes per side until golden.
While hot, finish with 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp dried oregano and 1–2 tbsp olive oil. Serve immediately.
Lemon‑garlic green beans
Boil a large pot of salted water. Blanch 800 g green beans for 3–4 minutes until crisp‑tender. Drain well.
In a large pan, heat 2 tbsp olive oil. Add 1 grated garlic clove, cook 20–30 seconds.
Add the 800 g beans, toss 1 minute. Off heat, add 1–2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp chopped herbs, salt and pepper.
Marinated mushrooms
Quarter 600 g button mushrooms.
Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pan over high heat. Sear mushrooms 5–6 minutes until browned and any released liquid cooks off.
Reduce heat to medium, add 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 grated garlic clove, toss 30 seconds.
Off heat, add 2 tbsp red wine vinegar, 1 tbsp chopped dill or parsley, salt and pepper. Cool to room temp.
Assemble
Bowl the tzatziki and spicy feta. Add sliced chicken, grilled halloumi, green beans and mushrooms to the platter.
Pile on the tomato–cucumber salad, olives and dolmades if using.
Tuck in warm GF flatbreads. Finish with herbs and a light olive oil drizzle. Add lemon wedges.
- Gluten‑free assurance: Check labels on yoghurt, feta, halloumi, vinegar and dolmades.
- Diabetic‑friendly: No added sugar. Carbs mainly from GF flatbreads and tomatoes. Offer extra salad and protein for anyone skipping bread.
- Make‑ahead
- Chicken can marinate up to 24 hours.
- Tzatziki and spicy feta keep 24–36 hours chilled.
- GF flatbreads can be cooked ahead and reheated in a 180°C oven, 5–7 minutes wrapped in foil.
- Mushrooms can be made earlier in the day. Re‑toss before serving.
- Scaling bread: Plan 1–1.5 flatbreads per person. Double the flatbread batch if your crowd is bread‑heavy.
Per‑serve nutrition - Full plate including 1 GF flatbread
Includes per person: 180 g cooked chicken thigh, marinade oil absorbed (~1 tsp), tzatziki 60 g, spicy feta dip 50 g, salad 150 g, 1 GF flatbread, halloumi 62 g, beans 100 g, mushrooms 75 g, olives 20 g.
- Energy: ~1,170 kcal
- Protein: ~79 g
- Fat: ~76 g
- Carbs: ~42 g
- Fibre: ~6–8 g
- Sodium: moderate–high (feta, halloumi, olives)