Build-Your-Own Chicken Shawarma Pita Bar with Tangy Sauce and Pickled Onion

Bring the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean to your table with this build-your-own chicken shawarma pita bar. Tender, garlicky shawarma-spiced chicken pairs perfectly with a crisp tomato-cucumber salad, zingy quick-pickled red onion and a cool, tangy yogurt sauce. Warm pitas round out the meal, letting everyone assemble their perfect wrap or plate.

This family-style dinner is as fun to serve as it is to eat. Set out all the components and let each person customize their creation-add falafel or feta for even more variety. It’s an interactive, crowd-pleasing meal that’s ready in under 30 minutes.

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Ingredients

3 tablespoon Sour CreamView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.5 unit Red OnionView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 unit PitasView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

20 ounce Diced Skinless Dark Meat ChickenView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit LemonView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

4 tablespoon YogurtView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit Mini CucumberView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.5 tablespoon Shawarma Spice BlendView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit TomatoView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.5 teaspoon Dried OreganoView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon Garlic PowderView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon (tsp) Olive OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.5 teaspoon (tsp) SugarView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon (tsp) Cooking OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

teaspoon (tsp) SaltView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

teaspoon (tsp) Black PepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Wash and dry all produce. Halve, peel and thinly slice half the red onion (use all for 4 servings). Quarter the lemon. Dice the tomato into ½-inch pieces. Trim and dice the cucumber.
2. In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine the sliced onion, ½ teaspoon sugar (1 teaspoon for 4 servings), juice from half the lemon and a large pinch of salt. Cover with plastic wrap and microwave for 60 seconds. Set aside to pickle, stirring occasionally.
3. In a separate small bowl, combine the diced tomato, cucumber, half the dried oregano and a drizzle of olive oil (use all the oregano and a large drizzle of olive oil for 4 servings). Season with salt and pepper.
4. In a third small bowl, combine the sour cream, yogurt and half the garlic powder (reserve the rest for the chicken). Season with salt and pepper. Stir in water, 1 teaspoon at a time, until the sauce reaches a drizzling consistency.
5. Open the package of chicken and drain off any excess liquid. Heat a drizzle of cooking oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer; season with half the shawarma spice blend (use all for 4 servings), the remaining garlic powder, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through, 4-6 minutes.
6. Wrap the pitas in damp paper towels and microwave until warm and pliable, about 60 seconds.
7. Serve the pickled onion (drained), tomato-cucumber salad, white sauce, chicken, warm pitas and remaining lemon wedges family style. Let everyone build their own plate or wrap.

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use chicken breast instead of dark meat?

Yes, but dark meat stays juicier. If using breast, cook just until done to avoid dryness.

How do I make the sauce thicker?

Use less water or add a bit more sour cream and yogurt. For a thicker sauce, omit the water entirely.

Can I prepare components ahead of time?

Absolutely. The pickled onion, tomato-cucumber salad and sauce can be made a day in advance. Cook the chicken just before serving.