Shawarma-Spiced Chicken Pita with Tahini-Yogurt Sauce

A flavorful Middle Eastern-inspired dish featuring tender chicken thighs seasoned with aromatic shawarma spices, served in warm pitas with a creamy tahini-yogurt sauce and fresh vegetable salad.

4 servings
30 min

Ingredients

  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon ground coriander
  • ¼ teaspoon paprika
  • teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil
  • teaspoons kosher salt
  • ¾ teaspoon black pepper
  • pounds chicken thighs
  • 4 whole pitas
  • 1 cup plain yogurt
  • 1⅓ tablespoons tahini
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic
  • ¼ teaspoon lemon zest
  • 4 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons dill
  • 2 tablespoons mint
  • ½ whole English cucumber
  • 2 cups romaine lettuce
  • ¾ cup cherry tomatoes
  • cup red onion

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    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.

    15 min

  2. 2.

    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.

    5 min

  3. 3.

    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.

    5 min

  4. 4.

    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.

    5 min

  5. 5.

    Tahini-yogurt sauce can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.