Flavor-Packed Chicken Pitas with Herby Ranch Slaw (Printable)

Juicy spiced chicken in warm pita with crisp, herby ranch slaw—a vibrant 35-minute meal.

# What You’ll Need:

→ For the Chicken

01 - 1.1 lb 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

# How-To:

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. Marinate for 10–15 minutes, or up to 1 hour for deeper flavor.
02 - Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken 5–7 minutes per side, or until golden and cooked through. Rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
03 - In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, buttermilk, dill, parsley, chives, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt, pepper, and lemon juice until smooth. Add cabbage, carrots, and red onion. Toss to coat evenly.
04 - Cut pitas in half to form pockets or leave whole and layer fillings. Fill each pita with sliced chicken, a generous heap of ranch slaw, and optional toppings like cucumbers or tomatoes. Garnish with extra herbs if desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The warm spiced chicken against cool creamy slaw creates that perfect hot-cold contrast that makes every bite interesting
  • Everything comes together in under 40 minutes, but tastes like you spent all afternoon planning it
02 -
  • Letting the chicken rest before slicing is non-negotiable—cutting into it immediately lets all those juices run onto your cutting board instead of staying in the meat
  • The slaw tastes better after it sits for 15 minutes, giving the cabbage time to soften slightly and absorb the dressing
03 -
  • Warm your pitas directly over a gas flame for 10 seconds per side—this creates those signature char spots that add another layer of flavor
  • If you're making this for a crowd, slice the chicken and keep it warm in a low oven while everyone assembles their own pitas
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