Go Back
chicken doner recipe

Chicken Döner Recipe -An Ersatz Döner Recipe to Keep You Satisfied Until You Get to Germany Again!

5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 9 hours
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 10 hours
Cuisine Turkish and German Food
Servings 5 -8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 2 1/2 to 3 lbs Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs around 9
  • 1 cup Plain Yogurt you can use Sour Cream
  • 1 tsp. Lemon Juice
  • 2 tsp Paprika
  • 2 tsp Cumin powder
  • 2 tsp Coriander powder
  • 2 tsp Onion Powder
  • 1 tsp Chili Powder
  • 1 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1/2 tsp Ground Pepper
  • 2-3 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 1/2 TBL Tomato Paste
  • 2 tsp. Olive Oil for drizzling

For Serving:

  • Pita Bread or Lavash
  • Diced Tomato
  • Shredded Lettuce
  • Diced Cucumber
  • Tzatziki
  • Hummus
  • Hot Sauce

In Addition:

  • Wooden or metal Skewers
  • Aluminum Foil

Instructions
 

  • Wash and trim some of the extra fat off of the Chicken Thighs.. pat dry
  • In a medium bowl, combine the Yogurt or Sour Cream and all the seasonings, lemon juice, tomato paste, salt and pepper and garlic. Mix it well.
  • I found it easiest to put the chicken thighs in a gallon sized zip-lock bag... then add the the yogurt marinade. Zip the bag shut, then knead the bag to completely coat the chicken.
  • Set the plastic bag on a dish, then put in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours.
  • When you are ready to cook....
  • Take the chicken thighs out of the bag. Roll each one up into a semi-tight roll, and secure onto 2 skewers. Add one or 2 other rolled up thighs to the skewers.

In the oven-

  • Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
  • Line a baking pan with foil (for ease of cleaning)
  • Set the skewered thighs across the edges of the pan... so that they are held slightly above the pan bottom
  • Drizzle with the Olive Oil
  • Roast for 30 minutes
  • Then spoon some of the drippings over the chicken... flip the skewer over... spoon with more drippings... then Roast for another 10 - 15 min.

On the Grill-

  • Pre-heat your grill... If you are using a gas grill, only heat half of the grill. If you are using coal, move the coals to one side.
  • When the grill is hot, oil the grill, then put the chicken on NOT DIRECTLY OVER THE FIRE!
  • Cook 15 min... flip... 15 more... flip... then 10 more.
  • Remove from the grill.

To Serve-

  • Slice the chicken thighs the long way (parallel to the skewer).
  • You can add more drippings to the pile of meat.
  • Serve in a Pita with tomato, onion, hummus, hot sauce, tzatziki... I find it easiest to warm the Pita in the oven, lay it on a piece of foil, then load it up and wrap the foil up to hold it together.
  • Alternatively, build a salad with the Chicken Döner meat on top. Or serve with an assortment of side dishes.

Notes

Don't be put off by the long time... the meat takes time to marinade and absorb the flavors from all the amazing seasonings. You can prepare the chicken the night before, then leave it in the refrigerator until you are ready to cook.