Spiced Chicken and Grilling Cheese Mezze Platter with Tomato Cucumber Salad

Imagine a dinner plate that offers a little bit of everything—tender spiced chicken, crispy grilling cheese, a bright tomato and cucumber salad, fluffy lemony couscous, creamy tzatziki, and garlicky pita chips. That’s the magic of a mezze platter: a collection of small, flavorful bites that come together for a satisfying meal.

This recipe is perfect for nights when you can’t decide what to eat or when you want to share a fun, interactive dinner. Each component is simple to prepare, and the combination of textures and flavors will keep everyone happy. Pair it with a glass of red wine for a truly delightful experience.

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Ingredients

1 unit LemonView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 clove GarlicView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

10 ounce Chicken CutletsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon Tunisian Spice BlendView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.5 cup Israeli CouscousView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit CucumberView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

3 ounce YogurtView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit Roma TomatoView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.25 ounce DillView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 unit Pita BreadView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

8 ounce Grilling CheeseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

8 teaspoon Olive OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon ButterView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Salt, to tasteView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Pepper, to tasteView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 450°F with a rack in the top position. Wash and dry all produce. Zest the lemon, then quarter it. Mince or grate the garlic. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. In a medium bowl, combine a drizzle of olive oil, the juice from 2 lemon wedges (4 for 4 servings), half the Tunisian spice blend, salt, pepper, and garlic to taste. Add the chicken and turn to coat. Set aside to marinate.
2. Pick the dill fronds from the stems; discard the stems. Chop the fronds. Trim, peel, and quarter the cucumber. Grate one quarter (two quarters for 4 servings) on the largest holes of a box grater. Squeeze out excess moisture, then add to a small bowl with the yogurt, 1 teaspoon dill (2 for 4), salt, pepper, and garlic to taste. Stir to combine; set aside.
3. Bring ¾ cup water (1½ cups for 4 servings) to a boil in a medium pot. Add the couscous, lower heat to medium, and simmer until the water is absorbed, 6–8 minutes. Turn off the heat and stir in a drizzle of olive oil, salt, pepper, and lemon zest to taste. Meanwhile, dice the tomato and remaining cucumber. In another medium bowl, combine the tomato, cucumber, remaining dill, a large drizzle of olive oil, juice from the remaining lemon wedges, salt, and pepper.
4. In a small microwave-safe bowl, microwave 1 tablespoon butter (2 for 4 servings) and the remaining garlic until melted, about 30 seconds. Season with salt and pepper. Cut the pitas into 8 triangles each (16 for 4 servings). Brush the triangles with the garlic butter and arrange them on one side of a baking sheet (for 4 servings, spread across the whole sheet).
5. Heat a large drizzle of olive oil in a large nonstick pan over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and sear until browned but not cooked through, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer the chicken to the other side of the baking sheet (for 4 servings, transfer to a second baking sheet and bake chicken on the middle rack with pita on top). Bake until the chicken is cooked through and the pitas are lightly toasted, 5–7 minutes. Wash out the pan.
6. Pat the grilling cheese dry with paper towels and slice into 4 pieces (8 for 4 servings). Season all over with the remaining Tunisian spice blend. Heat a large drizzle of olive oil in the same pan over medium-high heat. Add the cheese and cook until browned and warmed through, 1–2 minutes per side. Thinly slice the chicken crosswise. Divide the chicken, cheese, couscous, salad, pita chips, and tzatziki among plates.

Useful Cookware

A few helpful kitchen tools for this recipe, with relevant Amazon picks for each item.

Medium bowl

DOWAN 22 OZ White Ceramic Bowls Set of 4 - Perfect for Soup Bowls for Kitchen, Cereal Bowl, Ramen Bowl, Microwave Safe for Oatmeal, Fruit,Salad and Rice Bowl - Dishwasher & Microwave SafeView on AmazonMASTERCOOK Plastic Bowls Set of 6 – 15oz Multipurpose Deep Plates Salad and Pasta Bowls Ideal for Home, Kids, Parties – Stackable Bowl for Kitchen – Non-BPA and Food Grade – Cute ColorsView on AmazonMALACASA 26 OZ Porcelain Soup Bowls Set of 4, White Ceramic Bowls for Kitchen, Cereal Bowl for Oatmeal, Fruit, Salad, Ramen and Rice Bowl -Dishwasher & Microwave Safe BowlsView on Amazon

Paper towels

Scott Paper Towels, Choose-A-Sheet, 6 Double Rolls = 12 Regular Rolls (108 Sheets Per Roll)View on AmazonAmazon Basics 2-Ply Flex-Sheets Paper Towels, 12 Basics Rolls = 40 Regular Rolls, Everyday Value with 150 Sheets per Roll, Packaging May VaryView on AmazonBounty Quick-Size Paper Towels, White, 8 Family Triple Rolls = 27 Regular RollsView on Amazon

Zester

Deiss PRO Lemon Zester & Heavy Duty Cheese Grater & Vegetable Grater - Parmesan Cheese Lemon, Garlic, Nutmeg, Chocolate, Fruits, Vegetables, Ginger Grater - Cheese Shredder & Stainless Steel GraterView on AmazonMicroplane Premium Classic Series Zester 18/8, Black - Lemon Zester & Cheese Grater & Vegetable Grater - Citrus, Parmesan Cheese, Garlic, Ginger, Nutmeg, Chocolate - Stainless Steel GraterView on AmazonOXO Good Grips Etched Zester and GraterView on Amazon

Box grater

Urbanstrive Cheese Grater With Container Box Grater Stainless Steel Graters for Kitchen Cheese Shredder Parmesan Shredder Kitchen Gadgets Kitchen Tools Kitchen Gifts for Chef Dishwasher Safe ZesterView on AmazonSpring Chef Professional Cheese Grater - Stainless Steel, XL Size, 4 Sides - Perfect Box Grater for Parmesan Cheese, Vegetables, Ginger - Dishwasher Safe - BlackView on AmazonSpring Chef Professional Large Parmesan Cheese Grater, Stainless Steel Metal Box Grater with Handle, 4 Sided Handheld Kitchen Food Shredder for Cheese, Carrot, Veggie, Ginger, Potato - Dishwasher SafeView on Amazon

Medium pot

Cuisinart 1.5 Quart Sauce Pan with Cover, Stainless Steel Pot with Lid, Small Kitchen Pots, Dishwasher Safe, Compatible with Induction, Electric, Gas Cooktops, Oven Safe Saucepan, Cool Grip HandlesView on AmazonSENSARTE Nonstick Saucepan with Lid, 1.5 Quarts Small Pot with Swiss Granite Coating, Stay-cool Handle, Multipurpose Handy Sauce Pot Small Kitchen Cooking Pot, Induction Comptable, PFOA FreeView on AmazonCAROTE 8QT Full Clad Tri Ply Stainless Steel Stock Pot with Lid, Kitchen Soup Pot, All Stoves Compatible, Oven & Dishwasher Safe, Stay Cool Handle, White, Mothers Day GiftsView on Amazon

Baking sheet

GoodCook Everyday Nonstick Baking Sheet Set, 3 Pack Includes Small (13×9) Medium (15×1) and Large (17×11) Pans Carbon Steel Construction Cookie Sheets Bakeware Set, GrayView on AmazonNutriChef 3-Piece Nonstick Kitchen Oven Baking Pans - Premium & Stylish Non-Stick Steel, Commercial Grade Restaurant Quality Metal Bakeware with Red Silicone Handles - Easy to Clean, NCSBS3SView on AmazonNordic Ware Naturals Half Sheet - USA Made Aluminum Commercial Quality Sheet Pan for Baking or Roasting, Encapsulated Galvanized Steel Rim Prevents Warping, 2-PackView on Amazon

Small bowl

Kaytee Stoneware Ceramic Pet Hamster Bowl, Brown, 3-InchView on AmazonDipping Bowls, Soy Sauce Dish Ceramic, 3 OZ Small Serving Bowls for Side Dishes Vintage Blue Stylish Design, Set of 6 Mini Appetizer Plates for Condiment Sushi Ketchup BBQ Party, 4 InchView on AmazonFarielyn-X 3.5in 4oz Small Glass Bowls, Mini Glass Containers, Ramekins, Prep, Pinch Bowl, Stackable Condiment Containers, for Prep, Dips, Nuts, Snacks, Candy Meal Prep Bowls, Dessert BowlsView on Amazon

Large nonstick pan

Tramontina Professional 14-Inch Non Stick Extra Large Frying Pan, Heavy-Gauge Aluminum Skillet with Reinforced Nonstick Coating, Red Handle, Dishwasher and Oven SafeView on AmazonSENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet with Lid, 12 Inch Large Deep Frying Pan, 5 Qt Non Stick Saute Pan with Cover, Induction Pan, Healthy Non Toxic Cooking Pan with Helper Handle, PFOA PFOS FreeView on AmazonFarberware Dishwasher Safe Nonstick Jumbo Cooker Chef's Pan with Lid and Helper Handle, Kitchen Cookware, 6-Quart, BlackView on Amazon

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use a different protein instead of chicken?

Yes, you can substitute the chicken with lamb chops, beef strips, or even falafel for a vegetarian option. Adjust cooking times accordingly.

What can I use instead of Israeli couscous?

Regular couscous, quinoa, or orzo would work well. Cook according to package directions.

How do I store leftovers?

Store each component separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat the chicken and cheese gently in a pan or oven.