Sheet Pan Chicken Kefta Wraps

🟢 Difficulty Level: Beginner
⏱️ Cooking Time: 20 minutes prep + 45–60 minutes roast + 20 minutes cook = ~1 hr 25 mins total
🍽️ Servings: 4–6 wraps

These Sheet Pan Chicken Kefta Wraps are a delicious and easy Middle Eastern–inspired meal. Juicy spiced chicken kefta is baked in the oven, paired with a bright, lemony salad, and finished with creamy roasted garlic sauce. Perfect for a quick family dinner or meal prep.

🛒 Ingredients

For the Chicken Kefta :

• 1.5–2 lbs (700–900 g) ground chicken
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 8 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tsp smoked paprika
• 2 tsp cumin
• 2 tsp salt
• 2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp turmeric
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/3 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/3 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
• 1 large or 2 medium yellow onions, grated and squeezed dry
• 4 tbsp olive oil (to drizzle on top before baking)

For the Roasted Garlic :

• 2 whole garlic heads
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt

For the Fresh Salad :

• 1/2 large red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 2 tsp sumac
• Juice of 1/2 lemon

For the Roasted Garlic Paprika Sauce :

• Roasted garlic cloves (from above)
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp black pepper

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🍳 Used Equipment

• Baking sheet (sheet pan) :

• Aluminum foil :

• Mixing bowls (large and small) :

• Grater

• Knife and cutting board :

• Wooden spoon (or spatula):

• Skillet (optional, for crisping wraps) :

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👨‍🍳 Step by Step and Instructions

Step 1: Roast the Garlic (45–60 minutes)

• Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C).
• Slice the tops off two garlic heads to expose the cloves.
• Place each head on a small piece of foil, drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil and sprinkle with salt.
• Wrap tightly and place directly on the oven rack or on a baking tray.
• Roast 45–60 minutes, until the cloves are soft, golden, and fragrant.
• Once done, let cool slightly, then squeeze the cloves out into a small bowl and set aside.

Step 2: Prepare the Chicken Kefta Mixture (10–15 minutes)

• While the garlic roasts, grate the onion, then squeeze out all the liquid using a paper towel or cheesecloth — this step is crucial to prevent watery kefta.
• In a large mixing bowl, add:
  • Ground chicken
  • Tomato paste
  • Minced garlic
  • All spices (paprika, cumin, salt, pepper, turmeric, garlic powder)
  • Fresh parsley and cilantro (if using)
  • Grated, drained onion

• Mix well for 2–3 minutes until the texture becomes sticky and cohesive (this helps bind the kefta without eggs).

Step 3: Shape and Bake the Kefta (20 minutes)

• Line a sheet pan with foil or parchment paper.
• Spread the chicken mixture evenly into a ½-inch (1.25 cm) thick rectangle.
• Score the surface into 1-inch (2.5 cm) strips (this helps shape the kefta pieces).

• Drizzle 4 tbsp olive oil evenly over the top.
• Bake for 12–15 minutes, then switch to broil for 2–5 minutes, until the top is golden and slightly crisp.

Step 4: Make the Fresh Salad (5 minutes)

• In a bowl, combine red onion, cherry tomatoes, parsley, salt, pepper, sumac, and lemon juice.
• Toss well and set aside.

Step 5: Make the Roasted Garlic Paprika Sauce (5 minutes)

• In a small bowl, mash the roasted garlic cloves with a fork.
• Add mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, paprika, and pepper.
• Stir until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

Step 6: Assemble the Wraps (5 minutes)

• Warm lavash or pita bread slightly for pliability.
• Spread a generous layer of roasted garlic sauce down the center.
• Add 1–2 strips of baked chicken kefta, top with fresh salad, and roll tightly.

• (Optional) For a restaurant-style touch, crisp the wrap in a lightly oiled skillet over medium heat for 1–2 minutes per side until golden.

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🍽️ Plating and Serving

Serve the wraps warm with extra sauce and salad on the side. Pair with fries, rice, or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.

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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

• ❌ Skipping the onion draining step — it’ll make your kefta soggy.
• ❌ Under-seasoning the chicken — ground chicken is mild, so use full spice measurements.
• ❌ Overbaking — chicken kefta dries quickly; pull it out as soon as it’s golden.
• ❌ Forgetting to rest the roasted garlic — squeezing while hot wastes flavor and burns fingers.
• ❌ Skipping the broil step — that caramelized top adds essential flavor and texture.

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🧾 Nutrition Facts

Serves: 4
Calories per Serving: ~720 kcal
% Daily Value

• 38% Total Fat 29.5g
• 70% Cholesterol 210mg
• 65% Sodium 1480mg
• 14% Total Carbohydrate 32g
• 5% Dietary Fiber 2g
• Sugars 6g
• 92% Protein 54g
• 8% Vitamin A 85µg
• 18% Vitamin C 15mg
• 10% Calcium 120mg
• 22% Iron 4mg
• 26% Potassium 980mg

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