Shish Tawook
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Prep Time10 mins
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Cook Time15-20 mins.
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Serving3
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Ready In30 mins.
Shish Tawook, also spelled Shish Tawouk or Shish Taouk, is a popular Lebanese chicken dish made with tender pieces of chicken marinated in yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, tomato paste, and warm spices. The chicken is traditionally threaded onto skewers and grilled until lightly charred on the outside and juicy on the inside.
The words “shish” and “tawook” come from Turkish, meaning “skewer” and “chicken.” While Shish Tawook is enjoyed throughout the Middle East, each country has its own variation. This Lebanese version gets its signature flavor and bright orange color from the combination of yogurt, lemon, garlic, tomato paste, and tawook spices.
The Marinade
The secret to delicious Shish Tawook is in the marinade. Yogurt and freshly squeezed lemon juice not only add flavor but also help tenderize the chicken as it marinates. I typically use plain whole-milk yogurt, but you can also use low-fat plain yogurt or plain Greek yogurt with little to no difference in flavor.
I usually buy tawook spice mix from Lebanon when I’m visiting or from my local Middle Eastern grocery store. It makes preparing the marinade quick and easy, but I’ve also included the individual spices below so you can make your own at home.
Tawook spice blends can vary from one recipe to another. Some versions don’t include ginger or garlic, while others add paprika, ground clove, or other spices. Feel free to adjust the blend to your preference. The combination of spices and tomato paste is what gives Shish Tawook its signature orange color.
How Long Should You Marinate Shish Tawook?
For the best flavor, I recommend marinating the chicken for at least 1 hour, but 4 hours is even better. The yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, and spices have more time to flavor the chicken as it marinates.
How to Grill Shish Tawook
After marinating, thread the chicken pieces onto soaked wooden skewers. Soaking the skewers in water helps prevent them from burning on the grill.
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat and grill the chicken for about 10–15 minutes, turning halfway through, until the chicken is cooked through and lightly charred on the outside. You want the internal temperature to hit at least 165°F.
I prefer grilling Shish Tawook outdoors, especially in the summer, but an indoor grill pan works well too. I’ve also tried cooking the chicken in a skillet and baking it in the oven. While both methods work, I find that grilling gives the chicken the best flavor and texture.
Chicken Tawook in Lebanon is almost always served with toum. It is the perfect dipping sauce for it. I love to serve chicken tawook alongside grilled onions and tomatoes and fattoush or tabbouli. I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do!
STEP 1
Prepare the chicken breast by cutting into large 2 inch cubes. Set aside in a mixing bowl.
STEP 2
Crush the garlic cloves and add to the mixing bowl.
STEP 3
Add the yogurt, olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice, tomato paste, salt, and tawook spices. Mix thoroughly until every piece of chicken is fully coated in the marinate.
Marinate the chicken for at least 1 hour but preferably 4 hours in the fridge.
STEP 4
Once the chicken is done marinating, place them on the skewers.
Grill on a preheated medium-high heat grill for 10-15 minutes, flipping them halfway in between.
Serve with toum and pita bread.
Shish Tawook (Taouk)
Ingredients
- 2 boneless chicken breasts
- ½ cup whole milk plain yogurt
- 2 tb. olive oil
- 2 tb. lemon juice
- 6 cloves of garlic
- 1 tb. tomato paste
- 5 tsp. Tawook spice mix
- 1½ tsp. salt
Tawook Spice Mix
- 1 tsp. paprika
- 1 tsp. all spice
- ½ tsp. ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp. ground ginger
- ½ tsp. oregano
- ½ tsp. white pepper
- ½ tsp. nutmeg
- ½ tsp. garlic powder
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken breast by cutting into large 2 inch cubes. Set aside in a mixing bowl.
- Crush the garlic cloves and add to the mixing bowl.
- Add the yogurt, olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice, tomato paste, salt, and tawook spices. Mix thoroughly until every piece of chicken is fully coated in the marinate.
- Marinate the chicken for at least 1 hour but preferably 4 hours in the fridge.
- Once the chicken is done marinating, place them on the skewers.
- Grill on a preheated medium-high heat grill for 10-15 minutes, flipping them halfway in between.
- Serve with toum and pita bread.
Nutrition
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