Description
Shish Tawook is a popular Lebanese grilled chicken skewer dish featuring tender, juicy chicken marinated in a flavorful blend of yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, and spices. Perfectly grilled to smoky perfection, this recipe offers a delightful combination of tangy and savory flavors, best served with pita bread, fresh lettuce, and garlic sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
Marinade and Chicken
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast (cut into large chunks)
- ½ cup plain whole milk yogurt
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 6 garlic cloves (crushed)
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ¾ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a large bowl, whisk together the yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, crushed garlic, tomato paste, paprika, cinnamon, oregano, ground ginger, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
- Marinate the Chicken: Add the chicken chunks to the marinade, ensuring each piece is fully coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, allowing the flavors to deeply penetrate the meat.
- Skewer the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the marinade and thread the pieces onto skewers. Optionally, add a wedge of onion to each skewer for extra flavor.
- Grill the Skewers: Preheat your grill to medium heat. Grill the chicken skewers for 5-8 minutes on each side, or until fully cooked and slightly charred on the edges.
- Serve: Serve the shish tawook hot with warm pita bread, fresh lettuce, and garlic sauce for a traditional and satisfying meal.
Notes
- For best results, marinate the chicken for at least 4 hours or overnight to enhance flavor and tenderness.
- You can substitute plain whole milk yogurt with Greek yogurt for a thicker marinade.
- Adding wedges of onion on the skewers adds a nice aromatic touch but is optional.
- Serve with garlic sauce (toum) and fresh vegetables like tomatoes and cucumbers for an authentic Lebanese experience.
- If you don't have a grill, you can use a grill pan or broil in the oven as alternatives.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 276 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 595 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 99 mg
