Flavor-Packed Chicken Pitas with Creamy Herby Ranch Slaw (Print Version)

Juicy spiced chicken in warm pitas with crisp, creamy herby ranch slaw for a vibrant meal.

# Components:

→ Chicken

01 - 1.1 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
04 - 1 tsp ground cumin
05 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
06 - 1/2 tsp onion powder
07 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
08 - 1/2 tsp salt
09 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
10 - Juice of 1/2 lemon

→ Creamy Herby Ranch Slaw

11 - 2 cups finely shredded green cabbage
12 - 1 cup shredded carrots
13 - 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
14 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
15 - 3 tbsp buttermilk or plain yogurt
16 - 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
17 - 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
18 - 1 tbsp fresh chives, chopped
19 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
20 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
21 - 1/2 tsp salt
22 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
23 - 1 tsp lemon juice

→ Assembly

24 - 4 pita breads, warmed
25 - Optional: sliced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, extra fresh herbs

# Directions:

01 - In a bowl, combine olive oil, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Add chicken and toss to coat. Marinate for 10-15 minutes or up to 1 hour for deeper flavor.
02 - Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken 5-7 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
03 - In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, buttermilk, dill, parsley, chives, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt, pepper, and lemon juice until smooth. Add cabbage, carrots, and red onion. Toss to coat evenly.
04 - Cut pitas in half to form pockets or leave whole and layer fillings. Fill each pita with sliced chicken, a generous heap of ranch slaw, and optional toppings like cucumbers or tomatoes. Garnish with extra herbs if desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The slaw stays perfectly crunchy for hours, so you can prep it ahead without that sad wilted lettuce situation
  • Every bite hits you with warm spiced chicken, cool creamy crunch, and bright herbs all at once
  • These pitas somehow taste even better the next day, making them the ultimate work lunch win
02 -
  • Warm your pitas before filling or they will tear and you will have a messy situation on your hands
  • Let the chicken rest before slicing, otherwise all those juices will end up on your cutting board instead of in your pita
  • The slaw needs at least 15 minutes to meld, so make it first while the chicken marinates
03 -
  • Grill extra chicken when you have the grill going and freeze it for future pita nights
  • Massage the cabbage with a little salt before dressing it for an even better texture
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