Roast Chicken Pitas With Cumin Lemon Dressing Food

LEMON-CUMIN CHICKEN

Steps:

• For the marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together the oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, cumin, salt and pepper flakes until smooth. Add the chicken and toss until coated with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. (Can also be made in a resealable plastic bag.)
• For the pesto: In a food processor, blend the mint, spinach, cheese, walnuts, garlic, lemon juice, salt and pepper until chunky. With the machine running, slowly add the olive oil until smooth.
• Place a grill pan over medium-high heat or preheat a gas or charcoal grill. Spray the grill lightly with vegetable oil cooking spray. Remove the chicken from the marinade. Discard the marinade. Grill the chicken until cooked through, 4 to 5 minutes on each side. Place on a platter and serve with the pesto.

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.

CHICKPEA SHAWARMA PITAS WITH HUMMUS-DILL DRESSING

Steps:

• For the chickpeas: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Combine the chickpeas, olive oil, cumin, coriander, paprika, cayenne pepper, cinnamon and a pinch each of salt and pepper in a large bowl. Toss to coat.
• Spread on a rimmed baking sheet and roast until browned and slightly crispy, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Wrap the pitas in foil and place in the oven for the last 2 minutes of cooking to warm.
• For the hummus-dill dressing: Meanwhile, whisk together the hummus, lemon juice, dill and garlic. Thin with water, if needed, for desired consistency.
• For serving: Divide the cucumber, lettuce, tomato and red onion among the pitas and top with chickpeas. Drizzle with hummus dressing, wrap pitas around the filling and serve.

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.

SPICED ROAST CHICKEN WITH TANGY YOGURT SAUCE

Steps:

• Prepare the chicken: Heat oven to 450 degrees. In a medium bowl, combine the oil, fresh garlic, coriander, paprika, cumin, oregano and granulated onion with half of the cilantro and half of the lemon juice; mix well. Add the chicken, season with salt and pepper, and toss to evenly coat.
• Spread the seasoned chicken in a single layer on a large sheet pan and roast until golden and caramelized, about 20 minutes.
• While the chicken roasts, make the white sauce: In a small bowl, combine the yogurt, mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, granulated garlic and granulated onion; season with salt and pepper, then mix well; set aside.
• Add the remaining cilantro and lemon juice to the roasted chicken and mix well, scraping up any browned bits on the bottom of the pan. Divide chicken, lettuce and tomatoes among 4 plates and drizzle with some of the white sauce. Serve with lemon wedges, plus pita and hot sauce, if using.