Hi friends! Today I’m sharing my super tasty chicken döner kebab recipe perfect for making at home, even in your air fryer! After showing this on This Morning, I got loads of questions asking if it works in the air fryer, and the answer is: yes, absolutely! This recipe uses juicy chicken thighs and a bold, sweet, and spiced marinade that makes every bite full of flavor.
Whether you eat it in a pitta with salad or with a side of fries, this one’s always a hit!
Method
Mixing the Marinade
First, get a large mixing bowl. Add all your marinade ingredients into the bowl yoghurt, pomegranate molasses, sweet red pepper paste, olive oil, honey, oregano, cumin, cinnamon, pul biber, paprika, onion granules, garlic granules, salt, and pepper. Use a spoon or whisk to mix everything together until smooth and fully combined. The mixture should look thick, rich, and full of color.
Marinating the Chicken
Now, add your chicken thigh fillets to the marinade. Use your hands or tongs to mix it all up so every piece of chicken is coated evenly. Once done, cover the bowl tightly with a lid or plastic wrap and place it in the fridge. Let it marinate for at least 4 hours, but if you can, leave it overnight this gives the flavors time to soak into the meat and makes it extra tasty and juicy.
Preparing the Skewers
While the chicken is marinating, soak your wooden skewers in cold water for at least 30 minutes. This helps stop them from burning or drying out in the air fryer. You can do this step just before cooking if the chicken has already had its marinating time.
Skewering the Chicken
After the chicken has marinated, take it out of the fridge. Carefully thread the chicken pieces onto the wooden skewers, stacking the pieces closely so they stay juicy but not squished too tightly. Make sure they are balanced so they cook evenly in the air fryer.
Cooking in the Air Fryer
Place the chicken skewers into your air fryer basket. Try not to overcrowd it leave space around each skewer so hot air can move around. Set your air fryer to 180°C (356°F) and cook the chicken for about 45 to 50 minutes. At the halfway mark, open the fryer and flip each skewer using tongs or a fork. This helps the chicken cook evenly on both sides and develop a nice golden color.
Checking for Doneness
Once the time is up, use a food thermometer to check the thickest part of the chicken. It should read at least 75°C (167°F). If it’s not there yet, give it a few more minutes and check again. When it’s done, take out the skewers and let them rest for a few minutes. This helps the juices settle inside the chicken, keeping it moist when you slice it.
Necessary Tools
- Large bowl for mixing
- Measuring spoons
- Tongs or a fork
- Air fryer
- 4 large wooden skewers
- Food thermometer (to check doneness)
- Foil (optional for easier cleanup)
Chicken Döner Kebab (Air Fryer Version)
Cuisine: TurkishDifficulty: Easy6
servings4
hours50
minutes4
hours50
minutesIngredients
Chicken:
1 kg (2 lb 4 oz) skinless, boneless chicken thigh fillets
4 large wooden skewers (soaked in water for 30 minutes)
Marinade:
3 tbsp thick natural yoghurt
2 tbsp pomegranate molasses
2 tbsp Turkish sweet red pepper paste (tatlı biber salçası)
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp clear honey
1 tsp dried oregano
½ tsp ground cumin
¾ tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp pul biber (Aleppo pepper flakes)
½ tsp paprika
½ tsp onion granules
½ tsp garlic granules
¾ tsp fine sea salt
¼ tsp coarse black pepper
Directions
- In a bowl, mix all the marinade ingredients together until smooth.
- Add the chicken thighs and coat them well in the marinade.
- Cover the bowl and place it in the fridge for at least 4 hours (overnight is best!).
- Soak the wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes before using.
- Thread the marinated chicken onto the skewers.
- Place the skewers in the air fryer basket.
- Cook at 180°C (356°F) for 45–50 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Check that the chicken is cooked all the way it should reach 75°C (167°F) inside.
- Once it’s done, take it out and let it rest a few minutes before slicing.
Notes
- Don’t skip the marinating time it’s what makes the chicken extra tasty and tender.
- Flip the skewers halfway to cook them evenly.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer. Leave space for air to flow so the chicken cooks well.
- Always check the internal temperature. The chicken must reach 75°C so it’s fully safe to eat.
Serving Suggestions
- Stuff it into warm pittas or flatbreads
- Add garlic yoghurt and pickled red cabbage
- Top with fresh salad and onion slices
- Serve with crispy fries or grilled veggies
- Drizzle with extra pomegranate molasses if you like it sweet and tangy!
Fun Fact
“Döner” means “to turn” in Turkish. Traditional döner kebabs are cooked on a large vertical spit that spins slowly. This recipe gives you all that flavor without needing a big rotisserie!
Conclusion
This chicken döner kebab is one of my all-time favorites! It’s easy to make at home, full of flavor, and perfect for sharing with your family. Using the air fryer makes things simple, and the marinade gives it that real Turkish street food taste. Try it once, and I promise it’ll become part of your weekly rotation!
