Shawarma Chicken Pita Recipes

SHAWARMA-SPICED CHICKEN PITA WITH TAHINI-YOGURT SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°F. Combine cumin, coriander, paprika, cayenne, cinnamon, 2 Tbsp. oil, 3/4 tsp. salt, and 1/4 tsp. pepper in a large bowl. Add chicken and toss to coat. Spread on a rimmed baking sheet and roast until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of thigh registers 165°F, 12-15 minutes; wrap pitas in foil and warm in oven during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
• Meanwhile, mix yogurt, tahini, garlic, lemon zest, 2 Tbsp. lemon juice, 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1/4 tsp. pepper in a medium bowl until incorporated. Fold in 2 Tbsp. dill and 2 Tbsp. mint.
• Toss cucumber, lettuce, tomatoes, onion, remaining 2 Tbsp. lemon juice, 2 Tbsp. oil, 1/4 tsp. salt, and 1/4 tsp. pepper in another medium bowl.
• Thinly slice chicken. Place 1 warmed pita on each plate and top evenly with chicken and tomato-cucumber salad. Drizzle each pita with 2 Tbsp. tahini-yogurt sauce; top with dill and mint. Serve remaining tahini-yogurt sauce alongside.
• Do Ahead
• Tahini-yogurt sauce can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.

CHICKEN SHAWARMA

Steps:

• In a glass baking dish, mix together the malt vinegar, 1/4 cup yogurt, vegetable oil, mixed spice, cardamom, salt and pepper. Place the chicken thighs into the mixture and turn to coat. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). In a small bowl, mix together the tahini, 1/4 cup yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and parsley. Season with salt and pepper, taste, and adjust flavors if desired. Cover and refrigerate.
• Cover the chicken and bake in the marinade for 30 minutes, turning once. Uncover, and cook for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, or until chicken is browned and cooked through. Remove from the dish, and cut into slices.
• Place sliced chicken, tomato, onion, and lettuce onto pita breads. Roll up, and top with the tahini sauce.

MIDDLE EASTERN CHICKEN SHAWARMA

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• In a large bowl, combine yogurt, vinegar, crushed garlic, pepper, salt, cardamom, allspice, and juice of 1 lemon, until well mixed.
• Add chicken, coating well with marinade. If mixture seems too dry, add olive oil, 1 tablespoon at a time, until you've achieved the right consistency. Cover and refrigerate at least 8 hours, preferably overnight.
• In a stockpot or large saucepan, cook chicken over medium heat for 20 minutes or until done. Be sure not to overcook!
• If chicken becomes a little dry, add a few tablespoons of water.
• When the chicken is done, you can shred it or leave it in larger slices.
• Gather the ingredients.
• While the chicken is cooking, prepare the sauce. In a small bowl, mix together tahini, crushed garlic, 1/4 cup lemon juice, and 2 tablespoons yogurt, mixing well. Set aside.
• Gather the ingredients.
• To a large bowl, add onions, tomatoes, and cucumbers, and sprinkle with sumac. Add the parsley and optional pickle slices and mix well. Set aside.
• Place enough chicken on each pita so that it covers 1/4 of the bread. Add veggies and pour some sauce over all. Roll like a burrito and you have shawarma! You also can slit the pita open to form a pocket and stuff it.

SHAWARMA CHICKEN PITA

Steps:

• In an airtight container, combine the shawarma spices, olive oil, lemon juice and a half tsp salt. Add the chicken and onion, toss to coat, cover/seal and refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to overnight.
• Meanwhile, make the sauce in a small bowl by combining the yogurt, garlic, tahini, and lemon juice. Taste and season with salt and pepper as necessary. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
• After marinating, heat a large skillet over medium-high. Add the chicken and onions (discarding excess marinade), and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until cooked through. The chicken is done when it reaches 165°F on an instant-read thermometer. Reduce the heat as necessary to avoid burning. Remove the chicken from the skillet and slice it into strips.
• Warm the pitas in the microwave or toaster if you like. To serve, top the pitas with lettuce, chicken, tomatoes, and cucumbers. Drizzle with sauce.