Description

Shish Tawook is a classic Middle Eastern grilled chicken dish featuring tender, marinated chicken cubes. With a bright, savory marinade of yogurt, lemon, garlic, and aromatic spices, the chicken is juicy and flavorful, perfect for grilling. Served traditionally with flatbreads, pickles, and garlic sauce, it makes an irresistible main course for gatherings or weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Units Scale

For the Marinade

1 cup plain yogurt
1/4 cup olive oil
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

For the Chicken

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast (or thighs), cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes

For Serving (Optional)

Pita bread or flatbread
Pickled turnips or cucumbers
Fresh chopped parsley
Garlic sauce (toum) or tzatziki

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Instructions

Prepare the Marinade In a large mixing bowl, combine the yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, tomato paste, paprika, cumin, coriander, salt, black pepper, and cinnamon. Whisk until the marinade is smooth and evenly blended.
Marinate the Chicken Add the chicken cubes to the marinade, turning to coat them thoroughly. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer to a large resealable plastic bag. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, but preferably overnight for maximum flavor and tenderness.
Preheat the Grill Preheat your grill (or grill pan) to medium-high heat. While the grill is heating, thread the marinated chicken pieces onto metal or soaked wooden skewers, leaving a small gap between each piece for even cooking.
Grill the Chicken Place the skewers on the preheated grill. Cook for 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is nicely charred on the outside and cooked through in the center. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
Serve Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for a couple of minutes. Serve the Shish Tawook hot with pita bread, fresh parsley, pickles, and a generous drizzle of garlic sauce or a side of tzatziki if desired.

Notes

For the juiciest results, marinate the chicken overnight.
Thighs are more forgiving on the grill and stay moist, but breasts work well for a leaner option.
If you don’t have a grill, use a grill pan or broil the skewers in the oven.
Metal skewers are easier to manage, but if using wooden skewers, soak them for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning.
Serve with your favorite salads or dips for an authentic meal experience.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe (about 2 skewers)
Calories: 310
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 650mg
Fat: 13g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Unsaturated Fat: 9g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 7g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 40g
Cholesterol: 115mg