Blackened Chicken Pitas Recipes

GREEK GRILLED CHICKEN PITAS

Steps:

• Marinate chicken in vinaigrette, covered, in refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight. In a small bowl, combine the sauce ingredients; chill until serving., Drain and discard marinade. If grilling the chicken, lightly oil the grill rack. Grill chicken, covered, over medium heat or broil 4 in. from the heat until a thermometer reads 170°, 4-7 minutes on each side., Cut chicken into strips. Fill each pita half with chicken, cucumber, tomatoes, onion and cheese; drizzle with sauce.

CHICKEN CAESAR PITAS

Steps:

• In a spice grinder or with a mortar and pestle, combine the first five ingredients; grind until mixture becomes fine. Rub over chicken. , On a greased grill, cook chicken, covered, over medium heat or broil 4 in. from the heat for 4-5 minutes on each side or until a thermometer reads 170°. When cool enough to handle, cut into 1/2-in. strips. Refrigerate until chilled., In a large bowl, combine the chicken, romaine and rice. Drizzle with vinaigrette; toss to coat. Serve in pitas.

BLACKENED CHICKEN PITAS

Steps:

• Stir together the seasoning mixture in a small bowl.
• Pour the yogurt into a separate small bowl. Add 2 teaspoons of the seasoning mixture and the sugar; stir until the sugar is dissolved. Set aside.
• Place the chicken breasts between 2 sheets of plastic wrap or place in a plastic bag; flatten them to a ½-inch uniform thickness. Spread the seasoning mixture on both sides of each chicken breast.
• Heat a stovetop grill pan over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-high and arrange the chicken on the grill; cook for about 4 minutes. Turn the chicken and cook for 4 more minutes, or until it is well browned (and somewhat blackened) and cooked through.
• Transfer the chicken to a plate.
• Spread about 1 tablespoon of the seasoned yogurt sauce on the top of each chicken breast. Slice the chicken breasts in half.
• For each sandwich, open 2 pita bread pockets; line each with lettuce leaves. Slip in the chicken breast halves. Drizzle each sandwich with about 1 more tablespoon of the yogurt mixture.
• Advance preparation:.
• The yogurt sauce may be made in several hours in advance; cover and refrigerate. The chicken breasts can be spread with the seasoning mixture, placed in a single layer on a plate, covered with plastic wrap, and refrigerated for several hours before cooking. If you prefer, the chicken can be cooked up to 1 day in advance and served chilled. Assemble the pita sandwiches just before serving.