Dinner that fits in one hand at 5:05
Three spoons of honey, three of Dijon, one of mayo, a squeeze of lemon, and two cups of diced cooked chicken stirred through. Warm the pita a few seconds so it opens without tearing.
This is the meal for the night you eat between two drop-offs. Shredded romaine, carrots, and diced cucumber go in with the chicken, and none of it drips on the seat if you fill the pocket only two-thirds full.
Ingredients
The recipe serves 4. Plan on about 15 minutes.
- 4 pita breads, halved to make pockets
- 2 cups cooked chicken, diced
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 cups shredded romaine lettuce
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1/2 cucumber, diced
How to Make It
- Whisk the honey, Dijon, mayonnaise, and lemon juice together in a bowl until smooth.
- Add the diced chicken and toss until well coated.
- Gently open each pita half to make a pocket.
- Tuck a small handful of romaine, carrots, and cucumber into each pocket.
- Spoon the honey mustard chicken into the pockets and serve right away.
Timing Before Practice
This is assembly only with cooked chicken, so plates are ready in about 12 minutes.
- T-minus 15: mix the sauce and coat the chicken
- T-minus 8: fill the pita pockets and plate early eaters
- T-minus 5: water bottles and shoes, no new cooking
Make It Ahead or Save Leftovers
Keep the chicken and the veg separate so the pita stays sturdy.
- Mix the honey mustard chicken up to a day ahead
- Chop the vegetables and store them separately
- Fill the pockets just before eating so the bread holds up
- Serve with: grape tomatoes, a clementine
Parent Tip
Warm the pita for a few seconds before filling so it opens into a pocket without tearing.
Make it fit tonight
Small changes that make this one fit your night
Chicken mixed a day early
The honey mustard soaks in overnight and tastes better Tuesday than it did Monday.
Vegetables stored in their own container
Keep the cucumber apart from the dressed chicken and nothing turns watery before you fill the pockets.
Pockets filled at the curb, not at home
Carry the bowl and the pita separately and the bread is still sturdy when they get in the car.
Half the honey for a sharper kid
Some kids want the mustard bite; cut the honey to a spoon and a half and see what happens.
Grape tomatoes and a clementine in the cup holder
Both survive a warm car for an hour and neither needs a fork or a napkin.
Plan the next step
Repurpose your leftovers
Save a few quick-assembly meals that turn cooked chicken into a whole new dinner.