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Sheet Pan Chicken Pitas with Herby Ranch Recipe

4.9 from 102 reviews

Sheet Pan Chicken Pitas with Herby Ranch is a flavorful and easy-to-make sheet pan dinner featuring marinated roasted chicken thighs or breasts and caramelized vegetables served inside warm pita bread with a creamy, herb-packed ranch dressing. This recipe is perfect for quick weeknight meals, casual gatherings, or meal prep with minimal mess and maximum taste.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken & Vegetables:

  • lbs (680g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized strips
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced into thin strips
  • 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 medium zucchini, sliced into half moons (optional)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil (for veggies)
  • Kosher salt & black pepper, to taste

For the Chicken Marinade:

  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Juice of 1 lemon (about 3 tbsp)
  • 1½ tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • ½ tsp ground coriander
  • ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper

For the Herby Ranch Dressing:

  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ½ cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
  • 2 tbsp buttermilk (or milk plus lemon juice as a sub)
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill
  • 1 tbsp chopped fresh chives or green onions
  • 1 garlic clove, grated or minced
  • 1 tsp lemon juice or white vinegar
  • ¼ tsp onion powder
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

To Serve:

  • 46 rounds warm pita or naan bread
  • Diced cucumber
  • Cherry tomatoes, halved
  • Crumbled feta cheese (optional)
  • Extra fresh herbs for garnish

Instructions

  1. Marinate the Chicken: If needed, slice large chicken breasts into strips for faster cooking; thighs can stay whole or halved. In a bowl or zip-top bag, whisk together olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, cumin, paprika, oregano, coriander, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Add chicken and toss thoroughly to coat evenly. Refrigerate and marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to 8 hours for best flavor and tenderness.
  2. Prep the Vegetables: Thinly slice bell peppers and red onion; slice zucchini into half moons if using. Toss vegetables in a large bowl with 1 tbsp olive oil, salt, and pepper. Set aside for roasting.
  3. Roast the Chicken and Vegetables: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a sheet pan with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup if desired. Spread vegetables on one side of the pan and arrange marinated chicken on the other side without overcrowding. Roast for 20–25 minutes, flipping chicken halfway through, until cooked through and vegetables are tender and caramelized. For extra color, broil for 2–3 minutes at the end, watching carefully to avoid burning.
  4. Make the Herby Ranch Dressing: While the chicken roasts, combine mayonnaise, sour cream or Greek yogurt, and buttermilk in a bowl and whisk until smooth. Stir in parsley, dill, chives, garlic, lemon juice, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Chill in the fridge for 10–15 minutes before serving to meld flavors.
  5. Warm the Pitas: Wrap pita or naan bread in foil and place in the oven during the last 5 minutes of roasting to warm. Alternatively, warm in a dry skillet or directly over a gas flame for charred edges.
  6. Assemble the Chicken Pitas: Slice roasted chicken into strips or bite-sized pieces. Open each warm pita and layer with roasted vegetables, sliced chicken, diced cucumber, cherry tomatoes, crumbled feta (if using), and fresh herbs. Drizzle generously with herby ranch dressing. Serve immediately for best flavor.

Notes

  • Meal Prep: Store the cooked chicken and vegetables separately from the ranch dressing in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4 days.
  • Make it Spicy: Add hot sauce or crushed red pepper flakes to the chicken marinade or ranch dressing to add heat.
  • No pita? Serve the roasted chicken and veggies over rice or salad greens as a bowl.
  • Shortcut: Use rotisserie chicken tossed with the marinade spices for a quicker version.
  • The herby ranch dressing keeps well for up to 5 days refrigerated and can be used as a dip or salad dressing.

Keywords: sheet pan, chicken pitas, herby ranch dressing, roasted chicken, easy dinner, weeknight meal, Mediterranean flavors, pita sandwich