Quick Mediterranean Chicken Pitas

Fast, healthy chicken pitas pair store-bought whole-wheat pita and bagged greens with juicy skillet chicken and a lemony yogurt-garlic sauce.

20 min

4 servings

Four whole-wheat pitas hold browned chicken, shredded lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, and lemony yogurt sauce.

Ingredients

1 lb chicken tenders or thinly sliced chicken breast

1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

2 tsp garlic-herb seasoning, divided

4 store-bought whole-wheat pita breads

1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved

1 English cucumber, thinly sliced

3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt

1 lemon

1 tsp dried dill

Equipment

Large skillet · Mixing bowl · Microplane or fine grater · Instant-read thermometer

Skip the marinade

Coating thin chicken in oil and dry seasoning just before it hits a hot skillet delivers fast browning and flavor.

Keep it build-your-own

Place the chicken, vegetables, warm pita, and sauce on the table separately so everyone can fill a pita to taste.

Season and cook

01. Heat a large skillet over medium-high while you set out the ingredients, so the chicken can cook as soon as it is coated.

02. Toss chicken with oil and 1 1/2 tsp garlic-herb seasoning. Cook it immediately; the oil makes the dry seasoning adhere without a marinating pause.

03. Cook in one layer for 4 minutes, turn, then cook 4 to 5 minutes more, until browned and 165 F at the thickest piece.

Sauce and vegetables

04. Stir yogurt with the zest and juice of half the lemon, dill, and remaining seasoning until smooth; this is the quick yogurt-garlic sauce.

05. Set out bagged greens, halved tomatoes, and sliced cucumber in piles or a bowl so assembly stays quick and the vegetables stay crisp.

Warm and assemble

06. Warm pitas in the switched-off skillet for about 30 seconds per side, only until flexible.

07. Spread each pita with sauce, then add lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, and chicken so the sauce helps hold the filling together.

08. Offer wedges from the remaining lemon half and extra sauce; serve while the chicken is hot and the pita is soft.