Shish Tawook: Middle Eastern Grilled Chicken Skewers Recipe
Shish Tawook is a classic Middle Eastern dish featuring juicy, marinated chicken skewers grilled to perfection. This recipe combines yogurt, lemon juice, and a blend of aromatic spices to tenderize and flavor the chicken, resulting in a deliciously smoky and tangy meal perfect for gatherings or a flavorful weeknight dinner. Serve with fresh vegetables, parsley, flatbread, and traditional toum sauce for an authentic experience.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Total Time: 24 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
Marinade and Chicken
- 5 tablespoons plain yogurt
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 5 large cloves garlic, crushed
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, trimmed of excess fat and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
To Serve
- Chopped or sliced tomato
- Sliced cucumber
- Sliced onion
- Fresh parsley
- Flatbread
- Toum (Lebanese Garlic Sauce)
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a large bowl, whisk together plain yogurt, fresh lemon juice, olive oil, tomato paste, crushed garlic, paprika, salt, allspice, cayenne pepper, and black pepper until smooth and well combined. This mixture will tenderize and flavor the chicken.
- Marinate the Chicken: Add the chicken thigh pieces to the marinade and toss thoroughly to coat each piece evenly. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to penetrate, or up to 24 hours for maximum tenderness and taste.
- Skewer the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the marinade and thread the pieces onto skewers. Distribute the chicken equally onto 6 skewers, so that each serving gets one skewer, ensuring even cooking on the grill.
- Grill the Skewers: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Place the chicken skewers on the grill and cook for approximately 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is fully cooked, charred slightly on the edges, and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Serve: Remove the grilled chicken skewers from the grill and serve immediately alongside fresh chopped tomato, cucumber, sliced onion, fresh parsley, warm flatbread, and a side of toum (Lebanese garlic sauce) for an authentic and satisfying meal.
Notes
- For best results, marinate the chicken for at least 4 hours or overnight to deepen flavors.
- If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes before grilling to prevent burning.
- Chicken thighs are preferred for their juiciness, but chicken breast can be substituted for a leaner option.
- Adjust cayenne pepper to taste for spiciness.
- Serve with a side of rice or grilled vegetables for a complete meal.
