Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Shawarma-Spiced Chicken Pita with Tahini-Yogurt Sauce + 30 Days of Dinner!!






I first mentioned this fabulous Shawarma-Spiced Chicken recipe a few weeks ago in a Friday Five. The kids loved it so much that I've actually made it a few times since then. Not only is it delicious, but total prep and cook time is under 30 minutes (including making homemade Paleo naan). It looks like a lot of ingredients, but it comes together so quickly. So its obviously one of my favorite weeknight meals and weekend lunches too.

We have added a little dairy back into our diet, but if you aren't eating dairy, just leave off the sauce and maybe add a few mint leaves and lemon squeeze on top. The spice on the chicken is super nice all on its own.

Our rest of our 30 days of dinner follows the recipe. I'm so excited that warm weather is here -- I'm over roasting, slow cooking, and braising everything and all about grilling!!

Shawarma-Spiced Chicken Pita with Tahini-Yogurt Sauce
(adapted from Epicurious)

Ingredients
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/4 tsp ground coriander
- 1/4 tsp paprika
- 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
- 4 tbsp olive oil, divided
- 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt, divided
- 3/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper, divided
- 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 1 cup plain goat's milk yogurt
- 1 tbsp tahini
- 1/4 tsp grated garlic
- 1/4 tsp finely grated lemon zest
- 4 tbsp fresh lemon juice, divided
- 2 tbsp coarsely chopped dill, plus more for serving
- 2 tbsp coarsely chopped mint, plus more for serving
- 1/2 large English hothouse cucumber, halved lengthwise, cut into 1/4"-thick half-moons
- 2 cups shredded romaine lettuce
- 3/4 cup grape tomatoes, halved
- 1/3 cup thinly sliced red onion

Directions
Preheat oven to 425°F. Combine cumin, coriander, paprika, cayenne, cinnamon, 2 tbsp oil, 3/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper in a large bowl. Add chicken and toss to coat. Spread on a rimmed baking sheet and roast 12–15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, mix yogurt, tahini, garlic, lemon zest, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper in a medium bowl until incorporated. Fold in 2 tbsp dill and 2 tbsp mint. 
- Toss cucumber, lettuce, tomatoes, onion, remaining 2 tbsp lemon juice, 2 tbsp oil, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper in another medium bowl. Make Paleo naan.
Thinly slice chicken. Place 1 Paleo naan on each plate and top evenly with chicken and tomato-cucumber salad. Drizzle each pita with 2 tbsp tahini-yogurt sauce; top with dill and mint. Serve remaining tahini-yogurt sauce alongside.
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30 Days of Dinner

Day 1 (F) -- Italian Style Stuffed Peppers; cauliflower rice
Day 2 (Sat) -- dinner out
Day 3 (Sun) -- dinner out

Day 4 (M) -- leftover stuffed peppers; Lemon Herb Roasted Potatoes; Pan Seared Brussels Sprouts 
Day 5 (T) -- Green Ginger Chicken with Green Onions; Maple Sriracha Roasted Cauliflower; kids had brown rice
Day 6 (W) -- Roasted Tomato + Red Pepper Soup; Roasted Italian Sausage with Onions and Peppers
Day 7 (Th) -- Food52 Hash without a Recipe using potatoes, bacon, onion, orange pepper, zucchini, avocado, goat cheese + eggs
Day 8 (F) -- leftovers
Day 9 (Sat) -- dinner out
Day 10 (Sun) -- Valentine's dinner! Seared Steak with Roasted Garlic Compound Goat Cheese; Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pears and Pistachios  

Day 11 (M) -- Shawarma-Spiced Chicken Pita with Tahini-Yogurt Sauce
Day 12 (T) -- Rosemary Braised Short Ribs over Cauliflower Puree; Garlic Lemon Green Beans
Day 13 (W) -- Food52 Hash without a Recipe using potato, red onion, yellow pepper, zucchini, tomatoes, goat cheese, and avocado; chicken sausage with kale
Day 14 (Th) -- Chicken and Zucchini Burgers (1 lb chicken, 1 zucchini grates, 1/4 diced onion, goat cheese, 2 slices diced cooked bacon, and salt + pepper), sweet potato fries
Day 15 (F) -- Best Paleo burgerCauliflower + Carrot Puree
Day 16 (Sat) -- dinner out
Day 17 (Sun) -- Pistachio-Crusted Chicken; potato, carrot + onion hash 

Day 18 (M) -- Chicken Tinga Tacos -- I could tell these were going to be REALLY spicy, so I cooked the sauce with the chile in, but removed it before blending it. And I used grilled chicken breast only; Paleo tortillas 
Day 19 (T) -- Balsamic and Basil Marinated Steak with Red Pepper Pesto; Crispy Lemon Potatoes; orange juice, honey + cinnamon carrots
Day 20 (W) -- leftovers
Day 21 (Th) -- Sally Schneider's Slow Roasted Salmon (sheep's milk yogurt and chives on top); Roasted Butternut Squash Puree with Goat Cheese 
Day 22 (F) -- brinner
Day 23 (Sat) -- dinner out
Day 24 (Sun) -- Roast Chicken with Kimchi Smashed Potatoes -- I used chicken breasts only and this was DELICIOUS. The kids loved it too; green beans 

Day 25 (M) -- Moroccan Pita Sandwiches with Paleo naan and used goat's milk yogurt in sauce; sweet potato fries
Day 26 (T) -- Cilantro Lime Grilled Chicken -- a HUGE family favorite; Green Beans and Beets with Balsamic Reduction 
Day 27 (W) -- Roasted Italian Sausage with Onions and Peppers; cauliflower rice
Day 28 (Th) -- dinner out
Day 29 (F) -- Marinated and Grilled Flank Steak; Cauliflower Kale Salad with Pomegranate, Dried Apricots, and Pumpkin Seeds; roasted potatoes
Day 30 (Sat) -- dinner out 

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