SHAWARMA-SPICED CHICKEN PITA WITH TAHINI-YOGURT SAUCE

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Shawarma-Spiced Chicken Pita with Tahini-Yogurt Sauce image

Traditional shawarma calls for roasting meat on a large vertical spit. We mimic the effect here by roasting at a high temperature, which yields chicken that is crisp on the outside yet moist and juicy on the inside.

Provided by Rhoda Boone

Categories     22-Minute Meals     Dinner     Chicken     Yogurt     Cucumber     Tomato     Roast     Peanut Free     Tree Nut Free     Soy Free     No Sugar Added

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 21

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed
4 pitas
1 cup full-fat or low-fat plain yogurt
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon tahini
1/4 teaspoon grated garlic
1/4 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, divided
2 tablespoons coarsely chopped dill, plus more for serving
2 tablespoons coarsely chopped mint, plus more for serving
1/2 large English hothouse cucumber, halved lengthwise, cut into 1/4"-thick half-moons (about 1 cup)
2 cups shredded romaine lettuce
3/4 cup small cherry or grape tomatoes, halved (about 5 ounces)
1/3 cup thinly sliced red onion

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.

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