Joojeh Kebab

Ingredients

For 4 servings

• •1 garlic clove, finely grated
• •1.5 tasse labneh (Lebanese strained yogurt) or plain whole-milk Greek yogurt
• •0.25 tasse finely chopped mixed tender herbs (such as parsley, dill, and/or cilantro)
• •0.5 c. à café Diamond Crystal or ¼ tsp. Morton kosher salt, plus more
• •0.5 c. à café (packed) saffron threads
• •2 c. à soupe Diamond Crystal or 1 Tbsp. plus ½ tsp. Morton kosher salt, plus more
• •2 garlic cloves, finely grated
• •1.5 tasse plain whole-milk yogurt
• •0.25 tasse fresh lemon juice
• •1 c. à soupe double-concentrated tomato paste
• •0.5 c. à café freshly ground pepper
• •1 medium onion, thinly sliced
• •2 lb skinless, boneless chicken thighs, halved if very large
• •Vegetable oil (for grill)
• •Lemon wedges (for serving)

Method

1. 1.Labneh
2. 2.Whisk 1 garlic clove, finely grated, 1½ cups labneh (Lebanese strained yogurt) or plain whole-milk Greek yogurt, ¼ cup finely chopped mixed tender herbs (such as parsley, dill, and/or cilantro), and ½ tsp. Diamond Crystal or ¼ tsp. Morton kosher salt in a small bowl to combine. Taste labneh and season with more salt if needed. Do Ahead: Labneh can be made 5 days ahead. Cover and chill.
3. 3.Chicken and Assembly
4. 4.Grind ½ tsp. (packed) saffron threads and a small pinch of salt in a mortar and pestle to a fine powder. (Or, if you don’t have a mortar and pestle, just finely crush saffron between your fingers before placing in a small bowl.) Add 1 Tbsp. hot water and let sit 10 minutes.
5. 5.Whisk saffron mixture, 2 garlic cloves, finely grated, 1½ cups plain whole-milk yogurt, ¼ cup fresh lemon juice, 1 Tbsp. double-concentrated tomato paste, ½ tsp. freshly ground pepper, and 2 Tbsp. Diamond Crystal or 1 Tbsp. plus ½ tsp. Morton kosher salt in a small bowl. Scrape into a 1-gal. resealable plastic bag. Add 1 medium onion, thinly sliced, and 2 lb. skinless, boneless chicken thighs, halved if very large, seal bag, and squish to work marinade over chicken to coat. Place bag on a rimmed baking sheet and chill at least 2 hours and, preferably, up to 12 hours.
6. 6.Remove chicken from marinade, scraping off any onion pieces; let sit at room temperature 1 hour before grilling.
7. 7.Prepare a grill for medium-high indirect heat (for a charcoal grill, bank coals on 1 side of grill; for a gas grill, leave 1 or 2 burners off). Lightly oil grate with vegetable oil. Place chicken over direct heat and grill, turning halfway through and moving to cooler side of grill if browning to quickly, until deeply browned in spots and cooked through, 10–15 minutes.
8. 8.Arrange chicken on a platter and serve with labneh and lemon wedges.