Poppy Seed Chicken Pitas Recipe

Name: Poppy Seed Chicken Pitas
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 3 skin-on bone-in chicken breasts (about 2 pounds); koscher salt; 1 large orange; ½ cup mayonnaise; ⅓ cup sour cream or ⅓ cup low-fat Greek yogurt; 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard; 1 stalk celery, chopped; ½ cup chopped pecans, almonds or ½ cup walnuts, toasted; ¼ cup chopped fresh chives; 1 ½ tablespoons poppy seeds; fresh ground pepper; ½ cup dried apricot, chopped (optional); torn lettuce leaf, for serving; 4 whole wheat pita bread, halved

Servings: persons

3 skin-on bone-in chicken breasts (about 2 pounds)
koscher salt
1 large orange
½ cup mayonnaise
⅓ cup sour cream or ⅓ cup low-fat Greek yogurt
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 stalk celery, chopped
½ cup chopped pecans, almonds or ½ cup walnuts, toasted
¼ cup chopped fresh chives
1 ½ tablespoons poppy seeds
fresh ground pepper
½ cup dried apricot, chopped (optional)
torn lettuce leaf, for serving
4 whole wheat pita bread, halved

1
Cover the chicken with cold water in a saucepan and add 1 teaspoon salt.
2
Remove strips of zest from half of the orange with a vegetable peeler; add the zest to the water.
3
Cover and bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, until the chicken is cooked through, about 18 minutes.
4
Remove the chicken and let cool.
5
Grate the remaining orange zest into a large bowl; juice the orange into the bowl.
6
Stir in the mayonnaise, sour cream, mustard, celery, nuts, chives, poppy seeds, 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper to taste.
7
Add the apricots, if desired.
8
Shred the chicken, discarding the bones and skin, and toss with the dressing.
9
Stuff a few lettuce leaves and some of the chicken salad into each pita.

469

kcal

Calories

Fat

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Leave out the nuts to make it nut-free, or swap in seeds for a similar crunch.
Coconut cream is a reliable plant-based alternative to dairy cream.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 14 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 3 skin-on bone-in chicken breasts (about 2 pounds), koscher salt, 1 large orange, ½ cup mayonnaise, and more.

Yes, Poppy Seed Chicken Pitas falls under the Meat & Poultry category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Poppy Seed Chicken Pitas

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions