Food name
category
**Homemade Chicken Pita with Store-Bought Bread**
*Servings: 2-4*
This recipe will guide you through creating a delicious homemade chicken pita using store-bought bread. To elevate your dish, I'll also share some tips inspired by the renowned chef Yotam Ottolenghi to help you choose the best bread and enhance the overall flavors.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Marinade:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Garlic Yogurt Sauce:
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For Assembling:
- 4 pieces of high-quality store-bought pita bread (look for ones with a good balance of softness and sturdiness)
- Mixed salad greens (lettuce, cucumber, tomato, red onion)
- Fresh herbs like parsley, mint, or cilantro, chopped
- Sliced cucumbers and tomatoes
- Extra lemon wedges for serving
Preparation
1. **Marinate the Chicken:**
- In a bowl, combine olive oil, minced garlic, cumin, paprika, turmeric, salt, and pepper.
- Coat the chicken breasts with the marinade, cover, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours for best flavor.
2. **Prepare the Garlic Yogurt Sauce:**
- Mix together Greek yogurt, minced garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
- Refrigerate the sauce until you're ready to assemble the pitas.
3. **Cook the Chicken:**
- Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat.
- Cook the marinated chicken breasts for about 6-7 minutes per side, or until fully cooked and nicely browned.
- Remove from heat, let them rest for a few minutes, then slice into thin strips.
4. **Assemble the Pitas:**
- Warm the pita bread briefly in the oven or on the stovetop to make them pliable.
- Spread a generous spoonful of the garlic yogurt sauce on each pita.
- Layer on the mixed salad greens, sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, and herb leaves.
- Add the sliced chicken on top of the veggies.
5. **Drizzle and Serve:**
- Drizzle a little extra olive oil and a squeeze of lemon juice over the assembled pitas.
- Sprinkle with extra chopped herbs for freshness.
- Fold the pita in half, securing the filling.
**Tips for Best Bread Selection from Ottolenghi:**
1. **Texture Matters:** Look for pitas with a soft interior and a slightly crisp exterior. This will provide a good balance between the tender chicken and crunchy veggies.
2. **Thickness:** Opt for pitas that are not too thick, as they can overwhelm the flavors. A medium thickness allows the fillings to shine.
3. **Freshness:** Choose pitas that are freshly baked or from a reputable bakery section. Stale pitas can detract from the overall experience.
4. **Warmth:** Before assembling, warm the pitas gently. Ottolenghi suggests wrapping them in a clean kitchen towel and briefly heating them in the oven to soften.
5. **Quality Ingredients:** Ottolenghi emphasizes using high-quality ingredients. This includes fresh herbs, ripe vegetables, and a good olive oil for drizzling.
By following these tips and the recipe, you'll create a delicious homemade chicken pita with store-bought bread that showcases Ottolenghi's dedication to flavors and quality ingredients. Enjoy your flavorful and satisfying meal!
