Name: Sheet Pan Chicken Pitas with Herby Ranch Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American Mediterranean Fusion
Ingredients: 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized strips; 1 red bell pepper, sliced; 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced; 1 red onion, sliced; 2 tbsp olive oil; 2 tsp garlic powder; 2 tsp paprika; 1 tsp dried oregano; ½ tsp cumin; ½ tsp chili flakes (optional); Salt and pepper, to taste; ½ cup mayonnaise; ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt; 2 tbsp milk (to thin); 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped; 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped (or 1 tsp dried); 1 tbsp fresh chives, chopped (or green onion); 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp onion powder; 1 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar; Salt and pepper, to taste; 4 pitas (pocket or flatbread style); 1 cup shredded lettuce or greens; 1 tomato, sliced; Optional toppings: feta cheese, pickled onions, cucumber, hot sauce

Ingredients

1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized strips

1 red bell pepper, sliced

1 yellow bell pepper, sliced

1 red onion, sliced

2 tbsp olive oil

2 tsp garlic powder

2 tsp paprika

1 tsp dried oregano

½ tsp cumin

½ tsp chili flakes (optional)

Salt and pepper, to taste

½ cup mayonnaise

½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt

2 tbsp milk (to thin)

2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped

1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped (or 1 tsp dried)

1 tbsp fresh chives, chopped (or green onion)

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp onion powder

1 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar

Salt and pepper, to taste (for ranch)

4 pitas (pocket or flatbread style)

1 cup shredded lettuce or greens

1 tomato, sliced

Optional toppings: feta cheese, pickled onions, cucumber, hot sauce

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).

Step 2: On a large sheet pan, toss the chicken strips, sliced peppers, and onion with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, oregano, cumin, chili flakes if using, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.

Step 3: Spread the chicken and vegetables evenly in a single layer on the sheet pan.

Step 4: Roast in the oven for 20–25 minutes, flipping everything halfway through, until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.

Step 5: While the chicken roasts, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream or Greek yogurt, milk, parsley, dill, chives, garlic powder, onion powder, lemon juice or vinegar, salt, and pepper in a bowl to make the herby ranch sauce.

Step 6: Taste the ranch and adjust seasoning as needed. Add more milk to reach your preferred consistency. Chill in the fridge until ready to use.

Step 7: Warm the pitas by wrapping them in foil and heating in the oven for about 5 minutes, if desired.

Step 8: Slice each pita in half to create pockets or leave whole to fold open.

Step 9: Stuff the pitas with shredded lettuce, the roasted chicken and vegetables, sliced tomato, and any optional toppings like feta cheese, pickled onions, cucumber, or hot sauce.

Step 10: Drizzle generously with the herby ranch sauce before serving.

Tips & Variations

Use Greek yogurt in the ranch for a tangier, lighter sauce.

Swap chicken for turkey or tofu strips for a different protein.

Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to the roasted veggies for brightness.

Include sliced avocado or olives as extra toppings for more flavor.

If you like spice, add extra chili flakes or hot sauce to taste.

Storage

Store leftover chicken and vegetables in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the herby ranch sauce separately in a sealed jar or container for up to 5 days. Reheat the chicken and veggies in the oven or microwave until warm before assembling. Pitas are best warmed fresh to avoid sogginess.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?

It’s best to use fresh or fully thawed chicken for even cooking on the sheet pan. If using frozen, thaw completely overnight in the fridge to ensure safety and proper roasting.

Is there a dairy-free option for the herby ranch sauce?

Yes, you can substitute mayonnaise and sour cream with dairy-free versions or use a blend of dairy-free yogurt and plant-based mayo. Adjust the seasonings and milk substitutes as needed for consistency.