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–+ servings
Chicken Doner on a bed of rice

Easy Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab

Safira
Easy Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab - Made with succulent chicken thighs, a spiced yoghurt marinade, this is the best fakeaway Chicken Doner recipe. Serve in Naan, Wraps, Pitta, with Rice, with Chips or even a simple Salad. The choice is yours!
5 from 8 votes
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Marinade 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 35 minutes
Course Dinner, Lunch, Lunch/Dinner
Cuisine Indian, Turkish
Servings 8
Calories 336 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 Kg Chicken Thighs Bonelss, Skinless
  • 4 tbsp Natural Yoghurt or Plain
  • 6 - 8 cloves Garlic Crushed
  • 2 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 2 tbsp Tomato Puree
  • 1 tbsp Honey
  • 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
  • 2 tsp Ground Cumin
  • 2 tsp Ground Coriander
  • ¼ tsp Ground Cinnamon
  • 1 tbsp Smoked Paprika
  • 1 tsp Onion Granules
  • 1 tsp Cayenne Pepper
  • 1 ½ tsp Salt
  • ½ tsp Black Pepper

Instructions
 

  • Soak Chicken Skewers in water for 30 minutes. Combine Olive Oil, Yoghurt, Garlic, Tomato Puree, Honey, Lemon Juice, Ground Cumin, Coriander, Cinnamon, Cayenne, Paprika, Onion Granules, Salt and Pepper in a bowl. Whisk together. Add the Chicken and toss to coat. Place in the fridge for 30 minutes to overnight. I marinade for 3 - 4 hours when I have the time.
  • Use 4 pre soaked Skewers and push Chicken thighs onto them, folding chicken over if too large. Continue adding the remaining Chicken thighs. Make sure the Thighs are tightly packed together.
  • Arrange the Chicken Doner in a deep oven tray and bake at 200°c/Gas Mark 6 for 30 - 35 minutes. If the Chicken is touching the bottom of the pan, add either Garlic Bulb or halved Onions to the bottom of the tin to lift the Chicken up. Brush with tin juices and bake for another 15 - 25 minutes. Allow it to rest for 5 to 10 minutes.
  • Tilt the Chicken and use a sharp knife to carve the Chicken from top to bottom into thin slivers of meat.

Notes

FAQS

What is a Chicken Doner Kebab?

Doner kebab is a type of kebab, made with meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie.  
Spiced and seasoned meat is stacked high on a rotisserie and turns  slowly, next to a vertical cooking element. 
A knife is then used to slice thin shavings from the outer most layer of the meat as it cooks. 
The vertical rotisserie was invented in the 19th-century and is used all over the world for dishes such as Arab Shawarma, Greek Gyros, Canadian donair, and Mexican al pastor.

The Doner meat can be served in a number of ways:

On a plate with various accompaniments;
in pitta;
in naan;
in a wrap;
with chips;
with a salad;
in a thin flatbread such as lavash;
or as a sandwich with salad ingredients like cucumber, lettuce, tomatoes, cabbage, onion, pickled cucumber or chilli. 

Is Chicken Doner Healthy?

Takeaway Chicken Doner can be unhealthy as it is usually made up of gristle, fat and bones but homemade chicken doner is quite healthy. 

Is Chicken Doner the same as Shawarma?

Shawarma is an Arabic word which means ‘turning’.
Shawarma and Doner are both made on rotisseries. However, Shawarma is an Arab/Middle Eastern kebab, while Doner is Turkish.
Like Doner, shawarmas can me made with Lamb.
Shawarma included toppings such as tahini, tabbouleh, mint yoghurt sauce, hummus, lettuce, tomatoes and pickles.

Is Chicken Doner meat Keto friendly?

Yes it is, there is a little honey here but it makes up very little of the overall nutritional value of the final product. See nutritional info below. You can skip the honey altogether if you prefer.

What is the difference between Chicken Doner and Chicken Kebab?

Chicken Kebabs are often cooked on skewers rather then on a rotisserie and the meat is not cooked slow. Or the alternative is minced chicken kebabs which are very different to a Doner Kebab.

Is Chicken Doner healthier then Lamb?

Chicken is a leaner meat then lamb. It is lower in fat and higher in protein too.

What is in Chicken Doner meat?

Chicken Meat - usually the fatty parts, skin, gristle, fat and bones. However in this homemade version we use only chicken thigh meat.

Chicken Doner vs Gyros

Gyros are made in a similar way to chicken doner.  The meat is shaved from a vertical rotisserie, wrapped in some sort of bread, and topped with salads and sauces. 
Shawarma, doner kebabs and gyros are all extremely popular street foods.
Doner is a Turkish word meaning ‘turn around’ and Gyro is Greek for ‘circle’. 
The exterior of the meat or chicken becomes crisp, golden brown and delicious and the interior is juicy and full of flavour.
In both recipes, the meat or chicken is marinaded in spices and served in a warm naan,  pitta or flatbread with condiments and toppings particular to each country.  
Doner Kebab was the first rotisserie kebab recipe. Gyros and shawarma kebabs came later.  
Gyro is usually made with pork, lamb or beef.  It is seasoned with a blend of herbs like oregano, rosemary, thyme.  It is garnished with tomatoes, onion and tzatziki.

How to serve Chicken Doner

With Rice such as Mejadra (recipe coming soon) or Turkish Rice with Vermicelli.
On Flatbreads or Pitta with Salad, a Yoghurt based Sauce.
With Chips.
With Salad such as Tabouleh.

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Chicken Doner will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
To reheat, simply add to a pan with a couple of tablespoons of water. Cook covered on low heat till fully warm.

Can I freeze Chicken Doner?

Yes!  You can freeze the uncooked marinaded chicken or cooked chicken.
  • To freeze the chicken in marinade -  Freeze for up to 3 months.  When you’re ready to use, defrost the chicken in the fridge.
  • Freeze cooked chicken - You can also freeze the cooked Chicken Doner. Once cooked, let it cool completely then transfer it to an airtight container or freezer bag and squeeze out any excess air. Freeze for up to 3 months.

How to reheat Chicken Doner

  • From frozen - thaw cooked Chicken Doner in the fridge overnight.  You can also defrost in the microwave but take care to defrost in short bursts so the chicken doesn’t become dry and rubbery. 
  • Hob - Reheat in a pan over medium low heat until warmed through, adding a splash of water if needed.
  • Microwave - Reheat in the microwave in 30 second bursts.
  • Oven- Reheat in the oven for 10 minutes at 180C/ 350 degrees F or just until warmed through.

Nutrition

Calories: 336kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 21gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 124mgSodium: 541mgPotassium: 358mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 671IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 46mgIron: 2mg
Keyword Chicken doner, Chicken Kebab, Doner kebab
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