Shish Tawook is probably one of the most popular chicken skewers throughout the Middle East. Juicy and tender chicken cubes in yogurt marinade threaded in wooden skewers and bursting with flavor. Serve with yellow rice or pita bread and Lebanese garlic sauce (Toum) for a traditional Middle Eastern dinner.
Next time try this delicious shish kebab recipe.
Skewered chicken always have their charm as they are loved by kids and adults. Chicken marinated in yogurt, lemon and garlic along with some warm spices. Skewered with some peppers for a better presentation and then grilled or oven baked.
Shish Tawook and grilled chicken tenders are two of the most favorable chicken recipes in my home. They show up bi-weekly if not even more.
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❓Why This Recipe Works
This is a recipe that has been in the Middle East for ages so it is very common to find different recipes and variations to it. Mine is made with chicken breast that is tenderized with yogurt, lemon and vinegar.
You will love how easy this recipe comes together, just mix the marinade then add the chicken and refrigerate. Grill or bake in the oven for everyone to enjoy.
📝 Recipe Ingredients
🥄 Instructions
- In a deep bowl, mix all the marinade ingredients well.
- Add the cubes chicken.
- Coast chicken well with the marinade, cover and refrigerate for a couple of hours.
- Thread the chicken into skewers and grill on an outdoor grill / indoor grill pan or bake in the oven
💡 Expert Tips
- It is better for this recipe to use regular full fat yogurt and not Greek yogurt.
- Marinate the chicken for at least 2 hours but overnight is best.
- Adding cubed bell pepper and sometimes onions adds beauty to the skewers, besides charred bell pepper and onions tastes very good.
- After grilling the tawook it is better to place it on a plate and cover with a tented foil to keep it from drying out.
💬 Frequently Asked Questions
Shish Tawook is a Turkish phrase from (Şiş Tavuk). Shish or Şiş means skewers while Tawook or Tavuk means chicken. This recipe has spread throughout the Middle East during the Ottoman period.
🍽 Serve with
These beautiful skewers are usually served with white or yellow rice, toum , tabouleh, hummus dip, or your favorite green salad. An added bonus is that almost ALL kids love it and willing to try it.
🥫 Storage
Shish Taouk is better consumed in the same day but if you have leftovers place them in a container with a tight lid. When you are ready to use heat them up covered with foil briefly in your oven.
📣 More Recipes From the Blog
- Egyptian goulash is a delicious, buttery meat phyllo pie that is a stunning side dish for the holidays.
- This Chicken shawarma recipe is incredibly tasty infused with exotic Middle Eastern spices in citrusy marinade. A family and readers favorite recipe that you need to try.
- Fire up your grill and prepare for tender and juicy perfection with this mouthwatering grilled chicken tenders recipe that will satisfy your cravings.
More Kabob Recipes
- These delicious shish kabob skewers are easy to prepare and they taste better than high quality restaurant. Beef steak marinated in a mixture of herbs and warm spices before being grilled on skewers. I've included oven instructions too.
Shish Tawook
Ingredients
- 8 garlic cloves crushed.
- ½ cup yogurt.
- 2 Tablespoons yellow mustard.
- 3 Tablespoons Lime juice about one and a half lime.
- 3 Tablespoons olive oil.
- 2 Tablespoons white vinegar.
- 1 Tablespoon onion powder.
- 1 teaspoon black pepper.
- 1 ¼ teaspoon pink salt or to taste. you can use regular table salt.
- ½ teaspoon 7 spice blend.
- 2 Tablespoons tomato paste.
- ½ teaspoon sugar.
- ½ teaspoon oregano.
- 3 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast cubed.
Optional:
- Cubed Bell pepper for threading in skewers with chicken.
Instructions
- In a large bowl combine everything except for the chicken and bell pepper. Mix well.
- Add the chicken, toss to coat well, cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours or up to 3 days.
- Preheat oven to 400F.
- Thread chicken and bell pepper into bamboo skewers.
- Grill or place skewers on grilling pan and bake in the middle of your oven for 20-25 minutes then move up to the upper level for 15 minutes until lightly browned.
Video
Notes
- It is better for this recipe to use regular full fat yogurt and not Greek yogurt.
- Marinate the chicken for at least 2 hours but overnight is best.
- Adding cubed bell pepper and sometimes onions adds beauty to the skewers, besides charred bell pepper and onions tastes very good.
- After grilling the tawook it is better to place it on a plate and cover with a tented foil to keep it from drying out.
- Shish Taouk is better consumed in the same day but if you have leftovers place them in a container with a tight lid. When you are ready to use heat them up covered with foil briefly in your oven.
- Please check the nutrition disclaimer policy.
Nutrition
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First published Dec 3, 2014 . Last updated March 23, 2021 with important tips, clear step by step instructions and readability.
Srijanee
Love your recipes. Thank You. Sree.
Amira
Thanks a lot Sree, you are so kind.
Karen
Can you use Dijon mustard in place of the yellow?
Amira
I haven't tried that Karen, but I think it all depends on what you like.
Andrea Wilmer
I made this last night and it was delicious (as are all the recipes I have tried from Amira's Pantry)! I found a recipe for the 7 spice from the website Simply Lebanese and I added Aleppo pepper for a little heat.
Amira
Thank you so much Andrea, you are so sweet. Happy you liked it, I love Iman from Simply Lebanese, she is great.
Martin
Fantastic recipe. Our family has made this recipe 30 times at least. just wanted to say thank you!
Amira
Thanks Martin for your comment, so happy you like it.