Basic Cheesy Chicken Pita Food

CHICKEN SHAWARMA

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mix the cumin, turmeric, coriander, garlic powder, sweet paprika and cloves. Set aside the shawarma spice mix for now.
• Pat the chicken thighs dry and season with salt on both sides, then thinly slice into small bite-sized pieces.
• Place the chicken in a large bowl. Add the shwarma spices and toss to coat. Add the onions, lemon juice and olive oil. Toss everything together again. Cover and refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight (if you don't have time, you can cut or skip marinating time)
• When ready, preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Take the chicken out of the fridge and let it sit in room temperature for a few minutes.
• Spread the marinated chicken with the onions in one layer on a large lightly-oiled baking sheet pan. Roast for 30 minutes in the 425 degrees F heated-oven. For a more browned, crispier chicken, move the pan to the top rack and broil very briefly (watch carefully). Remove from the oven.
• While the chicken is roasting, prepare the pita pockets. Make tahini sauce according to this recipe or Tztaziki sauce according to this recipe. Make 3-ingredient Mediterranean salad according to this recipe. Set aside.
• To serve, open pita pockets up. Spread a little tahini sauce or Tzatziki sauce, add chicken shawarma, arugula, Mediterranean salad and pickles or olives, if you like. Serve immediately!

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.

BASIC CHEESY CHICKEN PITA

Steps:

• Begin with a spoonful or two of cottage cheese.
• Place in pita pocket.
• Then top with chicken, then cheddar.
• Set pita on paper plate and microwave until cheese is melted or pita is desired warmth.

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.

CHEESY CHICKEN PITAS

Steps:

• Toss peppers and onions together in bowl. Set aside.
• Spray small frying pan with non-stick cooking spray, cook garlic and chicken strips until thoroughly heated.
• For each pita half, fill with layer of chicken, 2 slices of cheese and 1/4 cup pepper mixture. Cover loosely.
• Microwave on High 30 seconds or until cheese is slightly melted. Add lettuce, serve with sour cream.

CHEESY BACON CHICKEN OMELET PITA

Steps:

• Warm eggs to room temperature.
• Prepare and set aside filling by mixing chicken, bacon and cheese
• Mix eggs, parsley, garlic, onion powder and water just until well combined.
• Warm pita in toaster, cut in half and open pocket.
• Heat 6 to 8-inch pan just until drops of water sizzle.
• Mix chopped chicken, bacon and cheese so that the filling is prepared.
• Swirl butter in pan to coat.
• Pour in egg mixture and stir for 5 seconds.
• Gently lift set parts of the omelet to allow uncooked mixture to run underneath for about 30-60 seconds.
• Add filling on half of omelet and gently fold over other half.
• Leave on low heat until cheese is at least partially melted.
• Carefully cut omelet in half and put inside pita pocket.

CHICKEN PITA POCKETS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, mix oil, thyme, paprika, garlic and 1/4 teaspoon salt until blended. Add chicken; toss to coat. Let stand 10 minutes., Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine coleslaw mix, mayonnaise and remaining salt; spoon into pita halves. Place chicken on an ungreased baking sheet. Broil 3-4 in. from heat 3-4 minutes on each side or until no longer pink. Fill pitas with chicken strips.

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.

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.