Savory Middle Eastern Chicken Pita Pockets
Discover a delightful twist on the classic Sloppy Joe with these Savory Middle Eastern Chicken Pita Pockets. This flavor-packed dish combines lean ground chicken with aromatic spices and fresh ingredients, making it a perfect lunch or snack option. Featuring a medley of scallions, juicy tomatoes, sweet golden raisins, and crunchy pine nuts, these pita pockets are not only delicious but also customizable. You can enjoy them with a creamy yogurt sauce that can easily be made dairy-free. Ideal for those seeking a healthy and satisfying meal, these pockets are sure to impress family and friends alike!
4
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon (none)
scallion
1 bunch (thinly sliced (white and green parts separated))
ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon (none)
kosher salt
1 teaspoon (none)
fresh ground black pepper
to taste (none)
garlic cloves
2 (minced)
medium tomatoes
2 (diced)
golden raisins
1/4 cup (none)
lean ground chicken
1 lb (none)
plain low-fat yogurt or soy yogurt
1/4 cup (none)
pine nuts
1/3 cup (toasted)
whole wheat pita bread
4 (4 inch) (tops trimmed and warmed)
tomatoes
to taste (sliced)
cucumber
to taste (sliced)
Instructions
1
In a medium skillet, heat the extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. Add the white parts of the scallions, ground cinnamon, kosher salt, and a pinch of fresh ground black pepper. Sauté for about 5 minutes, or until the scallions are tender.
2
Stir in the minced garlic, diced tomatoes, and golden raisins. Cook over high heat for about 6 minutes, allowing the mixture to reduce until almost dry.
3
Add in the ground chicken, and cook while stirring frequently until the chicken is thoroughly cooked, approximately 5 to 6 minutes.
4
Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the green parts of the scallions, yogurt (or soy yogurt), and toasted pine nuts until well combined.
5
To serve, open the warmed pita pockets and generously stuff them with the chicken mixture. Top with sliced tomatoes and cucumbers for extra crunch and freshness.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Savory Middle Eastern Chicken Pita Pockets?
They are a flavorful twist on the classic Sloppy Joe, combining lean ground chicken with Middle Eastern spices, golden raisins, and pine nuts.
What protein is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for one pound of lean ground chicken.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe is designed to yield 4 servings.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Yes, you can easily make it dairy-free by substituting the plain low-fat yogurt with soy yogurt.
What type of oil is used for sautéing?
The recipe uses one tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil.
How should the scallions be prepared?
You should use one bunch of scallions, thinly sliced, with the white and green parts separated.
What aromatic spice gives this dish its Middle Eastern flavor?
One teaspoon of ground cinnamon is used to provide an aromatic Middle Eastern flavor profile.
How long do I sauté the white parts of the scallions?
The white parts of the scallions should be sautéed for about 5 minutes until they are tender.
When do I add the garlic and tomatoes?
Stir in the minced garlic and diced tomatoes after the initial 5-minute sauté of the scallions and spices.
What type of raisins are included in the recipe?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of golden raisins for a touch of sweetness.
How long does the ground chicken take to cook?
The ground chicken takes approximately 5 to 6 minutes to cook thoroughly while stirring frequently.
What type of yogurt is suggested for the sauce?
The recipe suggests using plain low-fat yogurt or soy yogurt.
How many pine nuts are added to the mixture?
The recipe includes 1/3 cup of toasted pine nuts for crunch.
What kind of bread is used for stuffing?
Four 4-inch whole wheat pita breads are used, with the tops trimmed and warmed.
How should the finished pita pockets be served?
Stuff the warmed pitas with the chicken mixture and top them with sliced tomatoes and cucumbers.
What fresh toppings are recommended for extra crunch?
Sliced tomatoes and cucumbers are recommended as fresh toppings.
Is this recipe suitable for lunch or snacks?
Yes, it is categorized as a Lunch/Snacks option and is ideal for a healthy meal.
How do I prepare the pita bread before stuffing?
The pita bread tops should be trimmed and the pockets should be warmed before stuffing.
When is the yogurt added to the recipe?
The yogurt is stirred in after the skillet has been removed from the heat.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
The recipe requires 2 minced garlic cloves.
How many tomatoes go into the cooked chicken mixture?
Two medium tomatoes, diced, are added to the cooked mixture.
Should the pine nuts be raw or toasted?
The pine nuts should be toasted before being added to the chicken mixture.
How long should I cook the tomato and raisin mixture?
Cook the mixture over high heat for about 6 minutes until it is almost dry.
When are the green parts of the scallions used?
The green parts of the scallions are stirred in at the very end after the skillet is removed from the heat.
How much cinnamon is in the recipe?
The recipe uses exactly one teaspoon of ground cinnamon.
What is the amount of olive oil needed?
One tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil is required for this dish.
Are the raisins cooked or added fresh?
The golden raisins are cooked with the garlic and tomatoes for about 6 minutes.
Is there black pepper in this recipe?
Yes, fresh ground black pepper is added to taste during the first sautéing step.
Can I use regular white pita bread?
While the recipe specifies whole wheat pita, you can substitute white pita if preferred.
What makes this a healthy meal option?
It uses lean ground chicken, whole wheat bread, fresh vegetables, and healthy fats from olive oil and pine nuts.