Doner Chicken Kebabs

Making this Middle Eastern dish at home could not be easier and it’s your choice on servings as a wrap or plate!

We have a local middle eastern restaurant that I am obsessed with. The owner is Syrian and he makes falafel, gyro, and chicken shawarma and it is one of my top favorite foods ever. I crave it all the type - especially his garlic sauce. I don’t know how exactly it’s made but it is literally the most incredible garlic white sauce. I could eat it by the spoonful. I’ve been trying out as many doner kebab and shawarma recipes as I can to see if I can even come close to our local restaurant (still haven’t found that unicorn recipe yet) and especially if they have a garlic sauce. This is a great recipe and we loved it despite it not being anywhere near the restaurant’s flavors. Definitely one we will make again and again!

What You Need:

For the Chicken & Marinade:

• 2 chicken thighs, cut in half

• 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt

• 1/4 cup olive oil

• 2 Tbsp. tomato paste

• 2 Tbsp. lemon juice

• 1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar

• 2 tsp. ground cumin

• 2 tsp. smoked paprika

• 2 tsp. ground coriander

• 1 1/2 tsp. garlic powder

• 1 1/2 tsp. onion powder

• 1 1/2 tsp. chili powder

• 1 1/2 tsp. salt

• 1 1/2 tsp. oregano

• 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

• 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper

• 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper

For the Garlic Yogurt Sauce:

• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt

• 2 cloves minced garlic

• 2 Tbsp. lemon juice

• 2 Tbsp finely chopped parsley

• 1 Tbsp. finely chopped mint

• 1/2 tsp. salt

• 1/4 tsp. ground cumin

• 1/4 tsp. ground coriander

• 1/4 tsp. ground black pepper

For the Wraps or Plates (Choose What You Like):

• Naan/Flatbread/Pita Bread

• Hummus

• Finely sliced lettuce

• Cherry tomatoes, halved

• English cucumber, sliced and quartered

• Red onion, thinly sliced

• Shredded carrots

• Sriracha or other hot sauce

• Curried rice

Directions:

1. For the Chicken & Marinade: Whisk all the marinade ingredients together in a large bowl. Add chicken and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 8 to 24 hours.

2. For the Garlic Yogurt Sauce: Whisk all ingredients together and chill until ready to serve. It tastes best if it is able to chill for at least one hour.

3. Skewer the chicken. Grill on a well-oiled grill over medium high heat until done —or— bake in a preheated 400 degree oven over a foil lined pan with skewers on each side of the rimmed baking sheet so it doesn’t touch the bottom for 30 minutes. Spoon juices on top and bake an additional 15 to 20 minutes. Then broil for 3 to 5 minutes per side after basting with juices again. After cooking chicken (either grilling or baking), let rest for at least 5 minutes before carving.

4. Carve chicken by standing the skewer upright and thinly slicing the chicken.

5. To serve as a wrap: Spread hummus over a warmed flatbread. Top with lettuce, tomato, cucumber, red onion, chicken, and garlic sauce. Drizzle with hot sauce.

6. To serve as a plate: Serve chicken with rice or flatbread and desired garnishes: lettuce, tomato, cucumber, and red onion with hummus and garlic sauce.

Recipe from Carlsbad Cravings