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

Juicy spiced chicken in warm pita with crisp, creamy herb ranch slaw

# What You'll Need:

→ For the 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 - ½ tsp garlic powder
06 - ½ tsp onion powder
07 - ½ tsp dried oregano
08 - ½ tsp salt
09 - ¼ tsp black pepper
10 - Juice of ½ lemon

→ For the Creamy Herby Ranch Slaw

11 - 2 cups finely shredded green cabbage
12 - 1 cup shredded carrots
13 - ½ small red onion, thinly sliced
14 - ½ 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 - ½ tsp salt
22 - ¼ tsp black pepper
23 - 1 tsp lemon juice

→ For Assembly

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

# Cooking Steps:

01 - Combine olive oil, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, pepper, and lemon juice in a bowl. Add chicken and toss to coat thoroughly. Marinate for 10–15 minutes, or up to 1 hour for deeper flavor penetration.
02 - Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Cook marinated chicken for 5–7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F. Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing thinly against the grain.
03 - Whisk together mayonnaise, buttermilk, dill, parsley, chives, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt, pepper, and lemon juice in a large bowl until smooth and well combined. Add shredded cabbage, carrots, and sliced red onion. Toss thoroughly to coat all vegetables evenly with dressing.
04 - Cut pitas in half to form pockets or leave whole and layer fillings. Fill each pita generously with sliced chicken and ranch slaw. Add optional toppings such as sliced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, or extra fresh herbs. Garnish with additional herbs if desired and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The homemade ranch dressing puts every bottled version to shame and comes together in minutes
  • Something magical happens when warm spiced chicken meets cool crisp slaw inside soft pita bread
02 -
  • The chicken needs those minutes to rest after cooking or all the juices will run out onto your cutting board instead of staying where they belong
  • The slaw actually tastes better after sitting for 10 minutes so the vegetables soften slightly and absorb the dressing
03 -
  • If your pita breads are not pocket style, just wrap the filling like a taco and nobody will complain
  • Adding sliced avocado or crumbled feta takes these from great to unforgettable
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