We all know I have a deep love affair with Mediterranean food and this Chicken Shawarma Stuffed Pita situation is making me want to hop on a flight and jet off for a vacay! I love pairing these with some oregano feta fries or a greek potato salad.
Table of Contents
Why I Love This Recipe
It the chicken recipe to end all chicken recipes. You'll flip. It’s marinated in the most glorious marinade. Then it’s grilled for a few minutes until fully cooked. THEN… it’s sliced and sautéed for a few minutes more to get those really delicious crispy bits that make you jump for joy. Everything gets rolled up in a pita and voila – the most perfect Chicken Shawarma lunch or dinner that maybe, just maybe, will make you feel like you’re beachside somewhere in the Mediterranean soaking up the sun.
If you're in a rush and not cooking the chicken yourself, check out the greek chicken stuffed pitas recipe for inspiration of a quicker recipe.
Ingredients & Substitutions
For the Chicken:
- Lemons
- Olive Oil
- Garlic
- Kosher Salt
- Black Pepper
- Ground Cumin
- Paprika
- Dried Oregano
- Red Pepper Flakes
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
For the Pitas:
- Pita Bread
- Parsley
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Cucumbers
- Homemade Tzatziki Sauce
- Shredded Romaine
*For a full list of ingredients and instructions please see recipe card below.
How to Make Chicken Shawarma Stuffed Pita
Step 1: In a large zip-top bag, combine the lemon juice, ½ cup olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, cumin, paprika, oregano and red-pepper flakes.
Step 2: Add the chicken, zip the top of the bag and give it a quick shake to combine. Refrigerator for at least 1 hour and up to 12 hours.
Step 3: Pre-heat a cast iron to medium high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade and grill each chicken thigh for 4-5 minutes on each side until done. Remove and set aside to rest.
Step 4: Slice the chicken against the grain into thin strips and transfer back into the skillet and sauté for 2 minutes until just slightly crispy around the edges.
Step 5: Transfer the chicken to a large bowl and toss to combine with the parsley, cherry tomatoes and cucumbers.
Step 6: Place the chicken in the middle of a pita and top with the assorted toppings. Fold the pita up and wrap with parchment to hold it together.
How to Store Chicken Shawarma Stuffed Pita
You can store the cooked chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. I would recommend adding the rest of the ingredients fresh and assembling your pita when its time to eat. Just warm the chicken through when its time to eat, add the chopped tomatoes and cucumbers, lettuce and tzatziki sauce and you're all set!
How to Freeze Chicken Shawarma Stuffed Pita
You can keep this chicken in the freezer for 3-4 months. If you have pitas leftover that you are not planning to use, you can freeze those as well. When you want to eat, thaw the chicken in the fridge overnight and warm it through well. Pita can be toasted in the oven to thaw and warm.
Tips & Tricks
You can mix up what you put in your pita, for instance, you can add hummus. Check out my everything hummus and green goddess hummus recipes!!
FAQs
I am planning to roast a big batch of chicken, what other recipes can I make to use it up?
Try my chicken tortas and chicken caesar wrap! You can also shred it and add it to salads.
Can I make this gluten free?
Yes! You can buy some gluten-free pita wraps. Or, convert this into a bowl with some quinoa. You can also check out Chicken Shawarma Bowls and omit the pita chips.
Similar Recipes
If you tried this recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting today
Chicken Shawarma Stuffed Pita
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 2 lemons juiced
- ½ cup olive oil
- 6 cloves garlic peeled, smashed and minced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon red-pepper flakes
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
For the Pitas
- 6 pieces of pita bread
- Chopped Parsley
- Cherry Tomatoes halved
- Cucumbers cubed
- 1 recipe Homemade Tzatziki Sauce
- Shredded Romaine
Instructions
- In a large zip-top bag, combine the lemon juice, ½ cup olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, cumin, paprika, oregano and red-pepper flakes. Add the chicken, zip the top of the bag and give it a quick shake to combine. Refrigerator for at least 1 hour and up to 12 hours.
- Pre-heat a cast iron to medium high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade and grill each chicken thigh for 4-5 minutes on each side until done. Remove and set aside to rest.
- Slice the chicken against the grain into thin strips and transfer back into the skillet and sauté for 2 minutes until just slightly crispy around the edges.
- Transfer the chicken to a large bowl and toss to combine with the parsley, cherry tomatoes and cucumbers.
- Place the chicken in the middle of a pita and top with the assorted toppings. Fold the pita up and wrap with parchment to hold it together.
Does the marinade need to be wiped off prior to cooking?
nope!
I could not get the good pita and also just left the chicken for an hour to marinade (as I did an impromptu and could not wait longer) - but it was not bad - maybe needs a little more tang? I had 500gm of chicken breast and added 1&half lime - it was good eat though. Thanks! I will follow more receipies here - this was my first 🙂
easy, light, filling and delicious dinner! It's a keeper. Thank you Gaby!!! Looking forward to following your meal plans this summer. All our boys were happy; ages 3 - 19!!! Woohoo
I made this for supper last night, and ate the leftovers for lunch today. It was so good! I grilled the marinated chicken over medium heat on our gas grill, which gave it a nice charred, smoky flavor. And the homemade tzatziki is addictive! This was my first Gaby recipe, but certainly not my last!
LOVE hearing that! Thanks Kate
How much chicken?
it's listed in the recipe! 2 lbs
I LOVE your tzatziki!! It makes everything even more delicious.
My boys love pita sandwiches!
This recipe was so good! My whole family enjoyed it. Thank you.
That wrap looks so good!
I was inspired and made it last night for dinner. My family loved it--and that included two teens!! Great recipe. Thank you.
This looks so delicious. My cats LOVE chicken and I can barely keep them off the counter when I am slicing it up. I am going to try this Fancy Feast also and see if it keeps them occupied!!!
Want this so bad right now. I'm obsessed with shawarma but have never made it at home because it seems complicated. Didn't realize it wasn't as complicated as I made it up to be in my head!! Yum!!
Me too
Awesome chicken recipe for pita
Thank you
this looks so delicious! was wondering if using boneless chicken breasts would make a huge difference? thanks!
you could absolutely use boneless chicken breasts!
omg. Pete would give an eye tooth for that sandwich- looks so good!
Josh and Caleb would love this recipe! Yummmm.