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Spicy Chicken Pitas

December 22, 2023 by Lindsay 7 Comments

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These Spicy Chicken Pitas are made with boneless, skinless chicken and you can prep all the components ahead of time and assemble them quickly for a healthy lunch or dinner.

These Spicy Chicken Pitas are made with boneless, skinless chicken thighs and you can prep all the components ahead of time and assemble them quickly for a healthy lunch or dinner.

*Originally published 7/2017. Updated 12/2023*

Hi friends!

Let’s talk about spicy chicken pitas today. This is one of my favorite food prep recipes and I hope you’ll love it too.

The Best Spicy Chicken Food

There are so many great spicy chicken meals out there. The best part is that you can make chicken spicy in a lot of different ways. You can use spices like cayenne pepper to add heat, like I do in this recipe. You can also use other spices like chili powder.

In addition, you can add things like:

  • Sriracha
  • Tabasco
  • Jalapenos or serranos
  • Red curry paste
  • Harrisa
  • Chili paste
  • Hot honey
  • Dried red chilis

Many of these work well in things like curries, soups and casseroles and can also be incorporated into marinades and sauces.

Ideas for Spicy Chicken Meals // Spicy Healthy Chicken Recipes

If these pitas aren’t exactly what you’re looking for, here are a few more ideas to try:

  • Firecracker Chicken by Jo Cooks – uses red pepper flakes and sriracha
  • Spicy Chicken Dinner from Crazy For Crust – uses chipotle chili powder
  • Baked Sweet & Spicy Chicken by Creme de la Crumb – uses hot sauce
  • Spicy Chicken Curry from Food & Wine – uses jalapenos and dried red chilis

You could also try serving chicken with this Spicy Green Sauce or this Spicy Red Pepper Feta Dip!


spicy chicken recipe for pita bread

How To Make Spicy Chicken Pitas

But let’s get back to these spicy chicken pitas, shall we? I love this meal because you can do everything ahead of time and then just throw everything together when you’re ready to eat. When you have time:

  • Combine oil and spices in a Ziploc bag with chicken and let marinate in the fridge.
  • Mix yogurt with cucumber, garlic and lemon juice and stick it in the fridge.
  • Chop up some lettuce, tomato and onion.
  • Cook and slice the chicken and store until ready to eat.

When you’re ready to eat, add chicken, lettuce and tomato to a pita. Top with yogurt sauce and serve!


Simple Chicken Pita Recipes // Chicken Pita Pocket Recipes

Here’s the recipe I use. Want some other options? Check out:

  • Sheet Pan Chicken Pitas
  • Easy Grilled Greek Chicken Pitas
  • Healthy Chicken Avocado Pita Sandwich

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Simple Spicy Chicken Pitas

spicy chicken pitas
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These Spicy Chicken Pitas are made with boneless, skinless chicken and you can prep all the components ahead of time and assemble them quickly for a healthy lunch or dinner.

  • Author: Lindsay
  • Yield: serves 4

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken (breasts or thighs)
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 2 Tbsp oil
  • 2 Tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 1/3 cup whole milk plain yogurt (I use Greek but regular is fine)
  • 2 Tbsp finely diced or shredded cucumber
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder (or grated fresh garlic)
  • Squeeze of fresh lemon juice
  • Pinch of salt
  • Whole wheat pitas, halved
  • Additional diced veggies: tomato, lettuce, red onion, cucumber
 

Instructions

  1. Add chicken to a Ziploc bag. Pound to even thickness if needed. 
  2. Add oil, red wine vinegar, garlic powder, paprika, oregano, salt, cayenne pepper and toss to coat.
  3. Let marinate in the fridge at least 2 hours or overnight.
  4. Cook chicken as desired – bake, grill, air fry. I cook mine in the air fryer at 400 degrees for 12-14 minutes or until it reaches 165 degrees F.
  5. Let the chicken cool and then thinly slice.
  6. Mix yogurt with garlic, lemon juice, salt and grated cucumber. Add chopped fresh dill if desired. Store in the fridge.
  7. When ready to eat, fill pitas with chicken and chopped veggies. Top with sauce and enjoy!

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @theleangreenbean on Instagram

And don’t forget – you can use the chicken in other ways, not just in pitas! I ate some of the leftovers with rice and green beans. It’d be great in tacos, etc. So…you get the point. The chicken is versatile. But I happen to really like it in these pitas.


chicken pita pockets recipes

Spicy Chicken Pitas FAQs

Spicy Chicken Meal Prep and other chicken marinades?

If you’re looking for other chicken marinade recipes, here are a few I love:

  • Easy 4 Ingredient Chicken Marinade
  • Simple Chicken Marinade for Meal Prep
  • Greek Yogurt Chicken Marinade – this one would be great for pitas!

Just make sure you have some oil, as well as something acidic like vinegar, lemon juice or Greek yogurt to go along with your favorite spices and you’ll be all set!

Do you have a homemade pita recipe easy?

I don’t have one on my site but I’ve made them before and they’re quite easy. And it’s fun to watch them puff up in the oven. Try this Easy Homemade Pita Bread recipe or the easiest homemade pita bread recipe.

Is there a grilled chicken pita recipe?

You can easily grill the chicken in this recipe! Once it’s marinated, just toss it on the grill for a few minutes on each side until the internal temp reaches 165 degrees F.

Ideas for other chicken pita filling recipes?

If you don’t like these fillings, you could easily use the chicken add change up the fillings. Try avocado and cheese, grilled fajita veggies or try adding some spinach and crumbled feta!

These Spicy Chicken Pitas are made with boneless, skinless chicken thighs and you can prep all the components ahead of time and assemble them quickly for a healthy lunch or dinner.

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

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Filed Under: Lunch, Dinner, Food Prep Tagged With: Chicken

About Lindsay

Lindsay Livingston is a Registered Dietitian and new mom from Columbus, Ohio. On her blog, she shares simple, healthy recipes, nutrition tips, workouts and snapshots of her life. Follow her on Twitter @LeanGrnBeanBlog and Instagram @TheLeanGreenBean and be sure to subscribe via RSS or email so you never miss a post!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Holly says

    July 12, 2017 at 10:33 AM

    Those look so good! We cook a lot with chicken thighs, they always seem to turn out more tender & juicy than chicken breasts, and they’re more affordably priced.

    Reply
  2. Kelli @ Hungry Hobby says

    July 12, 2017 at 12:31 PM

    I’m all about creamy crunchy sandwiches, pita pockets etc this week! I’m gonna need to give this a try ASAP!

    Reply
  3. Robin Donovan says

    July 12, 2017 at 4:22 PM

    I love using chicken thighs. So flavorful! This looks like a delicious and healthy meal. Adding it to the list for this week!

    Reply
  4. [email protected] says

    July 12, 2017 at 7:46 PM

    Spicy food with a cooling sauce is my fav combo!

    Reply
  5. Lauren Grant | Zestful Kitchen says

    July 18, 2017 at 3:39 PM

    These looks like a great weeknight dinner!

    Reply
  6. Claire M. says

    June 1, 2018 at 10:51 PM

    How do you find nutritional values for your recipes?

    Thank you

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      June 3, 2018 at 11:16 AM

      you can plug them into my fitness pal.

      Reply

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Lindsay Livingston The Lean Green Bean Healthy Living Tips and Tricks

I'm a Registered Dietitian and mom of three from Columbus, Ohio. I use this blog to share simple, healthy recipes, nutrition tips, and an honest glimpse of motherhood!

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