Peppery Chicken Pitas Recipes

CHICKEN PITAS

Steps:

• Combine seasoning in a small bowl. Add olive oil and lemon juice and mix to combine.
• Either pound or slice chicken breasts to ½-inch thickness. Place chicken in a gallon size zippered plastic storage bag and pour the marinade over the top. Seal the bag and push the chicken around until it is well coated with marinade. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 8.
• Grill for 6 to 7 minutes per side or until the internal temperature reads 165 degrees F. Transfer the grilled chicken to a cutting board and slice it into small pieces.
• Combine the romaine, tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, kalamata olives, onion and parsley in a medium bowl and toss with olive oil, lemon juice, and salt. Can be made up to 2 hours ahead. Just cover and refrigerate until you are ready to serve.
• Combine all ingredients in a small bowl using 2 tablespoons milk. Stir and add more milk only if needed to reach a nice, thick sauce-like consistency. Can be made several hours in advance. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
• Layer the pitas with grilled chicken, the salad mixture and a drizzle of the sauce. Sprinkle with additional feta, if desired.

POPPY SEED-CHICKEN PITAS

Steps:

• Cover the chicken with cold water in a saucepan and add 1 teaspoon salt. Remove strips of zest from half of the orange with a vegetable peeler; add the zest to the water. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, until the chicken is cooked through, about 18 minutes. Remove the chicken and let cool.
• Grate the remaining orange zest into a large bowl; juice the orange into the bowl. Stir in the mayonnaise, sour cream, mustard, celery, nuts, chives, poppy seeds, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste. Add the apricots, if desired.
• Shred the chicken, discarding the bones and skin, and toss with the dressing. Stuff a few lettuce leaves and some of the chicken salad into each pita.

CHICKEN CUCUMBER PITAS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the first 7 ingredients. In a small bowl, combine the ranch dressing, mayonnaise, Italian dressing, garlic powder and pepper; pour over chicken mixture and toss to coat. Fill each pita half with a scant 1/2 cup chicken mixture.

EGGPLANT, ROASTED PEPPER AND CHICKEN PITAS

Steps:

• Sprinkle sliced eggplant with salt and allow to drain in a colander for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat a grill for medium-high heat (see Cook's Note).
• Pound chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap to a thickness of 1/4-inch. Dredge with flour, shake off excess, dip into beaten egg, then press into seasoned bread crumbs to coat.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken breasts and cook until golden brown. Set aside.
• Wipe eggplant dry with a paper towel. If grilling, brush slices with remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil. Grill until tender and well marked.
• Crush garlic with a mortar and pestle with a pinch of salt. Whisk together garlic, red wine vinegar, and extra-virgin olive oil. Slice grilled eggplant into strips and toss with roasted peppers and balsamic dressing; season to taste with salt and pepper.
• To assemble, heat pita breads on the grill until hot and marked. Slice chicken into strips and place into warm pitas along with marinated eggplant and red peppers.

CHICKEN FAJITA PITA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425°F. Lightly coat a rimmed baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
• In a small bowl, combine the chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper.
• Cut the chicken, crosswise into 3/4-inch strips. Cut the onion, and bell peppers into 3/4-inch strips, and place on the baking sheet.
• Drizzle the oil over the chicken and vegetables, tossing gently to coat. Evenly sprinkle the fajita spice blend on top of the mixture and give it another quick stir.
• Bake until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and squeeze lime juice on top.
• Use tongs to fill the pita pockets and serve.

GREEK GRILLED CHICKEN PITAS

Steps:

• Marinate chicken in vinaigrette, covered, in refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight. In a small bowl, combine the sauce ingredients; chill until serving., Drain and discard marinade. If grilling the chicken, lightly oil the grill rack. Grill chicken, covered, over medium heat or broil 4 in. from the heat until a thermometer reads 170°, 4-7 minutes on each side., Cut chicken into strips. Fill each pita half with chicken, cucumber, tomatoes, onion and cheese; drizzle with sauce.

PEPPERY CHICKEN PITAS

Steps:

• Cut chicken into narrow strips and place in a large zip-top plastic bag.
• Add teriyaki sauce and marinate in the refrigerator for 2 hours.
• Remove chicken strips from teriyaki and discard remaining sauce.
• Combine thyme and next 4 ingredients; sprinkle over chicken.
• Heat oil in large skillet, add chicken and cook until no longer pink and cooked through, about 7-9 minutes.
• Combine mayonnaise and horseradish, carefully spread in each pita.
• Sprinkle lettuce evenly in each pita, then top with chicken mixture.

CHICKEN CAESAR PITAS

Steps:

• In a spice grinder or with a mortar and pestle, combine the first five ingredients; grind until mixture becomes fine. Rub over chicken. , On a greased grill, cook chicken, covered, over medium heat or broil 4 in. from the heat for 4-5 minutes on each side or until a thermometer reads 170°. When cool enough to handle, cut into 1/2-in. strips. Refrigerate until chilled., In a large bowl, combine the chicken, romaine and rice. Drizzle with vinaigrette; toss to coat. Serve in pitas.

SPICY CHICKEN TOMATO PITAS

Steps:

• In a bowl, whisk the first five ingredients. Add tomatoes, onion and parsley; toss to coat. Refrigerate until serving., Combine cumin, paprika, oregano, coriander, pepper flakes and salt; rub seasonings onto both sides of chicken. On a lightly oiled grill, cook chicken, covered, over medium heat or broil 4 in. from heat 4-7 minutes on each side or until a thermometer reads 165°., Cut chicken into slices. Serve in pita halves with relish.