Indian-Spiced Chicken Pitas

Rating: 4.46 stars
24 Ratings
  • 5 star values: 16
  • 4 star values: 5
  • 3 star values: 1
  • 2 star values: 2
  • 1 star values: 0

Make a perfect summer supper: grill spice-rubbed chicken breasts and tuck them into whole-wheat pitas along with fresh vegetables and a tangy yogurt sauce. Serve with: Grilled vegetables and a pilsner.

EatingWell Test Kitchen
Source: EatingWell Magazine, May/June 2009

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Recipe Summary

total:
30 mins
Servings:
4

Nutrition Profile:

Nutrition Info
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Ingredients

Directions

  • Preheat grill to medium-high or position rack in upper third of oven and preheat broiler. If grilling, oil the grill rack (see Tip). If broiling, coat a broiler pan with cooking spray.

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  • Sprinkle chicken with 1 teaspoon garam masala and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Place the chicken on the grill rack or prepared pan and cook until no longer pink in the center and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 165 degrees F, 4 to 8 minutes per side, depending on the size of the breast. Transfer the chicken to a clean cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes.

  • Meanwhile, combine cucumber, yogurt, cilantro (or mint), lemon juice, the remaining 1/2 teaspoon garam masala and 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper in a small bowl. Thinly slice the chicken. Split open the warm pitas and fill with the chicken, yogurt sauce, lettuce, tomato and onion.

Tips

Make Ahead Tip: Prepare through Step 2. Refrigerate the chicken in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Tips: Garam masala is a blend of spices used in Indian cooking. It is available in the spice section of most supermarkets.

To oil a grill rack, oil a folded paper towel, hold it with tongs and rub it over the rack. (Do not use cooking spray on a hot grill.)

Nutrition Facts

Per Serving:
340 calories; protein 32.6g; carbohydrates 43.8g; dietary fiber 5.8g; sugars 6.4g; fat 4.6g; saturated fat 1.1g; cholesterol 63.6mg; vitamin a iu 1370.9IU; vitamin c 15.2mg; folate 58.1mcg; calcium 125.6mg; iron 3.2mg; magnesium 85.8mg; potassium 603.3mg; sodium 591mg; thiamin 0.3mg.
Exchanges:

3 starch, 1 vegetable, 3 lean meat

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Reviews (8)

Read More Reviews
24 Ratings
  • 5 star values: 16
  • 4 star values: 5
  • 3 star values: 1
  • 2 star values: 2
  • 1 star values: 0
Reviews:
Most Helpful Most Positive Least Positive Newest
EatingWell User
Rating: 5 stars
10/30/2011
This recipe looks yummy and easy! I can't wait to make for lunch this week. Read More
ronchenier@rogers.com
Rating: 2 stars
10/29/2011
Indian-Spiced Chicken Pitas I have not tried this recipe but for a diabetic I find that 44 g of carbohydrates not a healthy choice for one meal. Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 5 stars
10/30/2011
This was SUPER EASY-- and tasted lovely. It was a good way to have chicken AGAIN and not feel like you were eating chicken again!:) The spice made a lovely addition and everyone LOVED the yogurt sauce (made with Greek Yogurt). A Fast healthy weekday meal. Loved it! Read More
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megan.maclean@gmail.com
Rating: 3 stars
10/29/2011
Good but could be great with a couple of changes The garam masala adds really great flavour to this dish! The problem was with the sauce. It was watery and like others have said it made the sandwich pretty soggy. Next time I'd made the sauce more like a traditional tzatziki (grate the cucumber put it in cheesecloth and squeeze all of the liquid out before adding it to the yogurt). Marinating the chicken for a couple of hours and preparing the sauce ahead of time to allow all of the flavours to blend together would be a big help too. Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 5 stars
06/18/2013
A new favorite My whole family loved these! I've made them several times and even without the garam masala they are awesome! (But do use mint in the yoghurt mixture then!) Pros: Easy tasty healthy Cons: Very addictive! (So none) Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 5 stars
10/16/2012
Loved this dish! I used tikka masala instead though. I was kinda scared that the yogurt mixture wouldn't go well with this masala but all was good! Pros: Very easy to make Read More
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EatingWell User
Rating: 5 stars
10/29/2011
These were easy but they were not as flavorful as I had expected. Still good but nothing amazing. Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 5 stars
10/30/2011
This was very good! The garam masala added a lot of flavor to what would have otherwise been a very mild tasting sandwich. Next time I would use Greek yogurt or strain the yogurt first though because the sauce was a bit watery and made the sandwich a little soggy. Read More
EatingWell User
Rating: 5 stars
10/30/2011
This sandwich was great! The garam masala is a must it really added a new depth to the recipe. I also substituted the plain greek yogurt it was delicious and didn't make the sandwich soggy. Wonderful fresh meal with lots of veggies. Read More
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