Chicken Cucumber Pitas Recipes

GREEK CHICKEN & CUCUMBER PITA SANDWICHES WITH YOGURT SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine lemon zest, lemon juice, 3 tsp. oil, oregano, 2 tsp. garlic, and crushed red pepper in a large bowl. Add chicken and toss to coat. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour or up to 4 hours.
• Meanwhile, toss grated cucumber with 1/4 tsp. salt in a fine-mesh sieve. Let drain for 15 minutes, then squeeze to release more liquid. Transfer to a medium bowl. Stir in yogurt, mint, dill, ground pepper, and the remaining 2 tsp. oil, 3/4 tsp. garlic, and 1/4 tsp. salt. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Preheat grill to medium-high.
• Oil the grill rack (see Tip). Grill the chicken until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center registers 165 degrees F, 3 to 4 minutes per side.
• To serve, spread some of the sauce inside each pita half. Tuck in the chicken, lettuce, red onion, tomatoes, and sliced cucumber.

CORIANDER AND CUMIN CHICKEN PITA WITH CUCUMBER SALAD AND WHITE SAUCE

Steps:

• For the chicken pita: Combine the oil, cumin, oregano, coriander, cayenne, ginger, lemon zest and 1 tablespoon salt in a medium bowl. Add the chicken thighs and rub with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours and ideally 24 hours.
• For the cucumber salad: Add the dill, white vinegar, cucumber, tomato and onion to a small bowl and stir until the cucumber and tomato are evenly coated in the vinegar and dill. Season with salt and black pepper. Set aside.
• For the white sauce: Combine the mayonnaise, yogurt, white vinegar, garlic powder and onion powder to a small bowl and mix until combined.
• Prepare a grill for medium heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting excess drip off, and drizzle with canola oil before placing on the grill. Cook for 6 minutes on one side, then flip and cook until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the thigh reaches 165 degrees F, about 4 minutes. Slice the chicken about 1/2 inch thick.
• Toast the pita on the grill for about 1 minute per side and assemble the pita with the chicken, cucumber salad and white sauce on top.

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.

GREEK CHICKEN IN A PITA

Steps:

• In a blender combine juice, 1 tablespoon oil, garlic, coriander, cumin, salt and pepper and mint or cilantro leaves. Process until smooth and pour over chicken to marinate. Refrigerate chicken and allow to marinate for 30 minutes. In a small bowl stir together yogurt, cucumber and chopped mint.
• In a large skillet heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium high heat. Add marinated chicken and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Heat pitas under a broiler or in a toaster oven. Slice open pitas and stuff with chicken, tomatoes, lettuce and top with yogurt dressing. Serve immediately.

CUCUMBER-CHICKEN PITAS

Steps:

• Dressing: Mix together yogurt, cucumber, dill and mint.
• For Each Sandwich: Place 1 pita on a plate. Top with 1 piece of lettuce, 1/4 chicken, 1/4 onion and 1/4 tomato. Spoon 1/4 dressing on top. Sprinkle with 1/4 of the feta.
• Fold in half, so it looks like a taco, and use a toothpick to hold it in place.

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.

CHICKEN CAESAR PITAS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Place chicken in a saucepan with garlic powder, thyme, and rosemary; add water to cover. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat medium-low, cover, and simmer until chicken is tender and no longer pink in the center, about 15 minutes. Remove chicken, let cool, and cut into strips.
• Meanwhile, place bread cubes on a baking sheet. Spray with butter spray; sprinkle with garlic salt and parsley.
• Bake bread cubes in preheated oven for 5 minutes. Turn cubes; spray again with butter spray and sprinkle with garlic salt and parsley. Bake another 5 to 10 minutes until golden brown and crunchy. Remove croutons, and let cool.
• Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly browned and crispy. Remove bacon from skillet, drain on paper towels and crumble.
• Combine chicken, bacon, lettuce, and croutons in a large bowl. Toss with Caesar salad dressing and Parmesan cheese. Season to taste with salt and pepper and toss again. Spoon salad mixture into pita bread halves.

OPEN-FACE CHICKEN PITAS

Steps:

• In medium microwavable bowl, mix chicken and Greek seasoning. Microwave uncovered on High 1 to 2 minutes, stirring once or twice, until hot. Cover to keep warm.
• Heat pita folds as directed on package. Spread each pita fold with about 1 tablespoon hummus. Top with 1/2 cup warm chicken, the cucumber, tomatoes and cheese. Serve topped with yogurt and onion.

CHICKEN GYROS WITH CUCUMBER SALSA AND TSATSIKI

Steps:

• Preheat broiler.
• Peel and grate 1 cucumber, then squeeze it with your hands to remove excess water. Stir together with yogurt, 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice, one third of garlic, and 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper to make tsatsiki.
• Cut remaining cucumber into 1/4-inch pieces and stir together with tomatoes, onion, parsley, mint, remaining 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice, and 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper to make salsa.
• Gently simmer oil, oregano, rosemary, remaining garlic, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper in a small heavy saucepan, stirring constantly, until garlic is fragrant but not browned, 1 to 2 minutes. Toss chicken with 3 tablespoons garlic oil and brush one side of bread with remainder.
• Heat bread, oiled side up, in a 4-sided sheet pan, covered with foil, 3 to 4 inches from broiler 3 minutes. Uncover and broil, rotating bread for even coloring, until golden in spots, about 2 minutes.
• Spread some of tsatsiki on warm bread and top with chicken and some of lettuce and salsa. Serve remaining lettuce, salsa, and tsatsiki on the side.