BBQ tandoori chicken shawarma

Looking for a dinner that will really impress? Go no further! - by Amy Sinclair

BBQ tandoori chicken shawarma

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This dish has all the elements of a top-quality kebab, with added oomph. Marinate the chicken in yogurt, add Indian spicing and cook it on the barbecue for a smoky, charred-on flavour.

Ingredients

2 lemons, 1 juiced, 1 cut into wedges to serve

150g pot natural yogurt

4 garlic cloves

thumb-sized piece ginger, roughly chopped

1-2 green chillies (depending on how hot you like it)

small pack fresh coriander

½ tsp turmeric

1 tsp each ground cumin and garam masala

16 skinless, boneless chicken thighs

1 large baking potato, cut in half lengthways

6 shop-bought plain naan breads, to serve

Method

Tip all the ingredients, except the chicken and lemon wedges, into a blender or a smoothie bullet with 1 tsp sea salt and whizz to a smooth paste. Pile the chicken into a bowl or large plastic container, pour over the paste and mix through so the chicken is completely coated. Cover and marinate for at least 4 hrs or up to 48 hrs – the longer, the better.
Light a lidded barbecue, and let the flames die down. Once the coals have turned ashen, pile them up on one side with a few coals scattered around the other. Starting and ending with half a baking potato, thread all the chicken onto two long metal skewers – so that both skewers go through each piece of meat – packing the thighs down between the potato halves so that they are really compact. Place the large chicken kebab to the side of the barbecue with only a few coals underneath. Pop the lid down and cook for 45-50 mins, turning every 15 mins, or until cooked through – prise the chicken pieces apart in the centre to check, or use a digital cooking thermometer; it should read 70C or more. Leave to rest for 5 mins. If cooking in the oven, heat to 220C/200C fan/gas 8. Sit the kebab across a roasting tin so it is suspended, or rest a wire rack over a roasting tin and place the chicken on top. Cook for 45-55 mins or until cooked through. Warm the naan on the barbecue or in the oven.
Bring the kebab to the table to carve, wrap with warm naans, and serve with the other salads and lemon wedges for squeezing over.

Amy Sinclair

Amy Sinclair is a former editor who loves all things food, cooking and eating - especially the eating! When she's not looking after her three children, you'll find her in the kitchen or busily hiding online shopping purchases from her husband.