Summer is almost here! Celebrate with this Memorial Day grilling recipe featuring Hellmann’s^® Avocado Oil Mayonnaise Dressing. Plus, learn how easy it is to make a flavored aioli at home!

Disclosure: This post was created through my partnership with Unilever^® for the 2019 Agents of Change Program. I was compensated for my time. 

I’m kicking off the start of grilling season in a big way! This recipe for Grilled Chicken Pitas with Chipotle-Garlic Aioli is the kickoff of my partnership with Unilever^® and the first that features Hellmann’s^® mayonnaise. As a dietitian and foodie who’s passionate about creating positive change in my community, I’m thrilled to be working with Unilever^® as an Agent of Change this year. They’re all about food that tastes good, feels good and is a force for good and it’s a natural fit because of how closely that matches my own philosophy around food and nutrition.

Here are just a few of the reasons why I’m committed to aligning with Unilever^® and the Agents of Change program:

• They’re committed to sustainable nutrition from farm to fork. Meaning that they strive to produce accessible and affordable nutritious foods and refreshments with respect for ecosystems, benefitting the livelihoods of food produces and improving the health and well-being of those who enjoy Unilever^® products.
• They enable people to eat balanced diets by offering a variety of options that meet the needs of various lifestyles, diets and budgets. To them, a healthier diet includes lots of variety, including seasonal foods, fruits and veggies, legumes, whole grains, nutritious oils and more. If you’ve followed along with me for a while, you know I’m all about having lots of choices when it comes to eating nourishing foods.
• They’re working towards 100% sustainably sourced ingredients, aiming to reduce their environmental impact and to provide consumer choice. Again, having options is a good thing! They’re also committed to reducing waste and emissions from sourcing through manufacturing, distribution and selling. Unilever will ensure that all its plastic packing is fully reusable, recyclable or computable by 2025. They’re also developing creative solutions to reduce food waste in the kitchen, inspiring chefs and people like us to do the same!

So, you can see why I’m excited to be part of this program for 2019. One of the products I’m highlighting is Hellmann’s^® Avocado Oil Mayonnaise Dressing. Let’s shift gears and see what I made with it!

Memorial Day Grilling

Grilling sometimes seems intimidating, especially if you aren’t cooking for a crowd. Usually there’s someone in the group who steps up to handle the grill, but why can’t that person be you? Sometimes it comes down to not having a grill (raises hand) but indoor grill pans are a lifesaver and something I use all year round in my kitchen.

Memorial Day seems to be the unofficial launch of outdoor grilling season. There is no shortage of delicious things you can throw on a hot grill, from marinated meats and kabobs to summer vegetables. Even fruit turns out amazing on the grill! I mean, have you ever tried adding peaches or pineapple? All the heart eyes for that!

How to Make a Flavored Aioli Sauce

Although grilling adds that nice charred or smoky flavor, I personally love adding sauces, dressings, and other condiments with tons of flavor. Making a traditional aioli involves whisking together olive oil and eggs with garlic, lemon juice (to emulsify everything), and mustard. However, I opted to make things simpler by starting with a base of Hellmann’s^® Avocado Oil Mayonnaise Dressing.

Making a flavored aioli sauce is as simple as whisking your favorite spices, herbs or other seasonings into a base aioli mixture. When you do this yourself, you have complete control over how much flavor makes its way into the final version. No limits on how much garlic to load in there! And if you like things hot, you can keep adding spice and heat to your heart’s content. Starting with a mayonnaise base means there are no strong flavors competing for attention. Hellmann’s^® Avocado Oil Mayonnaise Dressing is no different, plus I love that Hellmann’s is committed to real, quality ingredients such as 100% cage-free eggs and sustainably sourcing their oils from trusted American farms!

Grilled Chicken Pitas with Chipotle-Garlic Aioli Sauce

I think you’ll love the simplicity of this recipe for Memorial Day grilling and beyond. These Grilled Chicken Pitas are great for packed lunches, leftovers or other occasions where you want to opt for convenience. If grilling isn’t an option, you can swap for other proteins or outsource some of the cooking and purchase pre-cooked chicken, too. And it really highlights how something like Hellmann’s^® mayonnaise can be a part of an overall balanced diet. It can provide monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats and help you increase your intake of foods like vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. And I think you’ll see how it really enhances the flavors of everything else featured in this recipe!

Here’s the recipe for Grilled Chicken Pitas with Chipotle-Garlic Aioli Sauce

Grilled Chicken Pitas with Chipotle-Garlic Aioli Sauce

3.67 from 3 votes

These quick and simple chicken pitas are perfect for grilling up a quick summertime dinner. Enjoy leftovers for lunch the next day and cover all your packed lunch needs!

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 25 minutes minutes

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Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast
• Fine sea salt and pepper to taste
• 4 pita pockets
• 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 cup leafy greens, chopped romaine or spring mix
• 1/2 lime
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro

Chipotle-Garlic Aioli Sauce

• 1/2 cup Hellmann's® Avocado Oil Mayonnaise Dressing
• 1/4 tsp cumin
• 1/4 tsp chipotle chili powder
• 1/8 tsp cayenne
• 2 cloves garlic, finely minced

Instructions

• Heat your grill to medium-high heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper on each side, then grill 5 to 7 minutes. Flip, then grill about 5 minutes more or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. 
• Remove chicken from the grill. Transfer to a plate and cover with foil, loosely tenting it to allow the chicken to rest. 
• Meanwhile, prepare the remaining ingredients. Cut the pita pockets in half, carefully opening the pocket. To prepare the Chipotle-Garlic Aioli Sauce, combine all ingredients in a small bowl or ramekin. Stir to combine. 
• Transfer the chicken breasts to a cutting board and thinly slice or chop, depending on your desired texture. Use a knife to spread the Chipotle-Garlic Aioli Sauce inside each pocket, then add the leafy greens, sliced red onion, and sliced or chopped chicken.
• Garnish each pita pocket with a squeeze of lime juice and fresh cilantro. Serve immediately.

If Preparing for Leftovers

• Repeat all steps except for building the pita pockets. Store chicken, leafy greens, and Chipotle-Garlic Aioli Sauce separately. Chill in the refrigerator and assemble pita pockets when ready to serve

Notes

If you prefer less heat, swap the cayenne pepper for smoked paprika. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1 serving, Calories: 485 kcal, Carbohydrates: 34 g, Protein: 30 g, Fat: 25 g, Saturated Fat: 4 g, Cholesterol: 84 mg, Sodium: 616 mg, Potassium: 519 mg, Fiber: 2 g, Sugar: 1 g, Vitamin A: 296 IU, Vitamin C: 8 mg, Calcium: 59 mg, Iron: 1 mg

Course: Main Course, Sandwiches & Wraps

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Aioli, Grilled Chicken, Pitas

So there you have it! The first of my series of recipes developed in partnership with Unilever®. I’m excited to keep sharing messages that encourage you to get active in your kitchen. Stay tuned for more throughout the year!