Chicken Shawarma Pita with Tomato-Cucumber Salad & Tzatziki

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A vibrant Mediterranean-inspired wrap featuring spiced chicken shawarma, fresh tomato-cucumber salad, and creamy tzatziki, all served in warm pita bread. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or casual gathering. Bold spices, fresh herbs, and a touch of lemon make this dish bright and satisfying.

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If you love bold flavors and fresh ingredients, this Chicken Shawarma Pita is going to be your new weeknight hero. Think juicy, spiced chicken wrapped in warm pita bread, topped with a bright tomato-cucumber salad and creamy tzatziki. It’s easy enough for a casual dinner but impressive enough to serve at a weekend gathering.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Flavor-packed: Smoky spices, garlic, and lemon make the chicken irresistible.
• Fresh & bright: Tomato-cucumber salad adds crunch and acidity.
• Versatile: Perfect for dinner, meal prep, or even a casual lunch.
• Customizable: Add extra herbs, pickled onions, or your favorite hot sauce for a personal touch.

Ingredients & Notes

Chicken & Marinade

• Chicken thighs work best—they stay juicy and flavorful. You can swap for chicken breast if you prefer leaner meat, just don’t overcook.
• Spice mix: A blend of cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, turmeric, and cardamom gives that authentic shawarma flavor. Don’t skip the cayenne if you like a little heat.
• Marinating time: 5–6 hours is ideal, but even 1–2 hours will still give good flavor in a pinch.

Tomato-Cucumber Salad

• Use Persian or English cucumbers—they’re crisp and seedless, perfect for a salad.
• Extra virgin olive oil adds richness and brings all the flavors together.
• Fresh mint makes this salad pop—don’t skip it!

Tzatziki

• Grate cucumber and squeeze out excess water to avoid a watery sauce.
• Let tzatziki rest in the fridge for a few hours to let the flavors meld—it’s worth the wait.

Instructions Overview

1. Marinate chicken with lemon, olive oil, garlic, and spices.
2. Make tomato-cucumber salad and toss with EVOO, lemon, and mint.
3. Prepare tzatziki by combining yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, lemon, and dill. Chill.
4. Cook chicken: sear in a pan or grill, finish in oven if needed. Slice thinly.
5. Assemble pita wraps: spread tzatziki, layer chicken, top with salad, fold, and serve.

Tip: Warm your pita in a dry pan for 30–60 seconds to get that soft, pillowy texture.

Wine & Drink Pairings

• White wine: Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio for a crisp, refreshing match.
• Red wine: Light reds like Grenache or a fruity Beaujolais complement the spices without overpowering.
• Non-alcoholic: Sparkling water with a squeeze of lemon or mint tea pairs beautifully.
• Fun twist: Try a lightly spiced ginger beer or a citrusy iced tea for a refreshing contrast.

Food Pairings

• Serve with roasted chickpeas or a side of falafel for a complete Mediterranean spread.
• Add a few pickled vegetables for tangy crunch.
• For a heartier meal, pair with couscous salad or warm roasted vegetables.

Storage & Meal Prep Tips

• Chicken: Store cooked chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3–4 days.
• Salad & tzatziki: Keep separately; assemble pita when ready to eat to maintain freshness.
• Freezing: Cooked chicken freezes well. Freeze in portions and thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
• Meal prep: Marinate chicken the night before, prep salad and tzatziki, then assemble wraps during the week for an easy grab-and-go lunch.

Extra Tips for the Best Pita Experience

• Toast your pita lightly in a pan or oven for a warm, slightly crispy edge.
• Garnish with extra herbs, a drizzle of olive oil, or a sprinkle of sumac for added flavor.
• Don’t overload the pita—balance chicken, salad, and tzatziki for the perfect bite.

Why This Recipe Works

The combination of juicy spiced chicken, cooling tzatziki, and fresh tomato-cucumber salad is a flavor trifecta. It’s customizable, meal-prep friendly, and makes an everyday meal feel a little more special.

If you try this Chicken Shawarma Pita, snap a photo and share it on Instagram—tag me so I can see your creation! Don’t forget to save this recipe for busy weeknights and share it with friends who love bold, Mediterranean flavors.

Chicken Shawarma Pita with Tomato-Cucumber Salad & Tzatziki

A vibrant Mediterranean-inspired wrap featuring spiced chicken shawarma, fresh tomato-cucumber salad, and creamy tzatziki, all served in warm pita bread. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or casual gathering. Bold spices, fresh herbs, and a touch of lemon make this dish bright and satisfying.

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Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes

marinating time: 5 hours hours

Total Time: 5 hours hours 40 minutes minutes

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: Mediterranean

Keyword: Chicken Shawarma, Easy Dinner,, mediterranean, Pita Wrap, Tomato-Cucumber Salad, tzatziki, Weeknight Meal

Servings: 4

Calories: 552kcal

Equipment

• Mixing bowls (small and medium)
• Ziploc bag or large bowl for marinating
• Measuring spoons
• Knife and cutting board
• Pan or grill
• Oven (optional)
• Grater (for cucumber in tzatziki)
• Spoon or spatula for mixing

Ingredients

Chicken & Marinade:

• 1½ lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
• 1 tbsp ground cumin
• 1 tbsp ground coriander
• ½ tbsp ground cardamom
• ½ tbsp smoked paprika
• ¼ tsp allspice
• ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground turmeric
• ½ tsp cayenne pepper adjust to taste
• 2 tsp kosher salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic minced

Tomato-Cucumber Salad:

• 1 cup diced cucumber Persian or English
• 1 cup diced cherry or heirloom tomatoes
• ½ cup diced red onion
• 1 heaping tbsp chopped fresh mint
• ½ tsp kosher salt
• Squeeze of fresh lemon juice
• 1 –2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil EVOO

Tzatziki:

• 1 cup full-fat Greek yogurt
• 1 cucumber peeled and grated
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp fresh dill chopped
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Other:

• Warm pita bread

Instructions

Marinate the Chicken

• In a small bowl, whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and 3 tbsp of the spice mix.
• Place chicken in a bowl or Ziploc bag and toss with marinade to coat.
• Refrigerate for 5–6 hours.

Make the Tomato-Cucumber Salad

• In a medium bowl, combine cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, and mint.
• Drizzle with EVOO and lemon juice, season with salt, and toss gently. Set aside.

Make the Tzatziki

• Grate cucumber and squeeze out excess water if needed.
• Mix with Greek yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, dill, salt, and pepper. Chill until ready to serve.

Cook the Chicken

• Heat a pan or grill over medium-high heat. Sear chicken 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown.
• Optional: finish in a 350°F oven for 15–20 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
• Let chicken rest 5 minutes, then slice thinly.

Assemble the Pita Wraps

• Warm pita bread.
• Spread a generous layer of tzatziki.
• Add sliced chicken.
• Top with tomato-cucumber salad.
• Optional: garnish with extra fresh herbs. Fold or roll and serve immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 552kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 40g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 20g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 169mg | Sodium: 1614mg | Potassium: 788mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 968IU | Vitamin C: 21mg | Calcium: 133mg | Iron: 4mg

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