Shish Tawook is probably one of the most popular recipes throughout the Middle East. Tender and juicy skewered chicken that is bursting with flavor. Serve with yellow rice or pita bread and Toum sauce for a traditional Middle Eastern dinner.
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.
Table of contents
❓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
Note: This is an overview of the instructions. The full instructions are in the recipe card below.
- 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 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
Shish Tawooq
Ingredients
- 8 garlic cloves crushed.
- 1/2 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 1/4 teaspoon pink salt or to taste. you can use regular table salt.
- 1/2 teaspoon 7 spice blend.
- 2 Tablespoons tomato paste.
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar.
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano.
- 3 pounds chicken breast cubed.
Optional:
- Cubed Bell pepper for threading in skewers with chicken.
Instructions
- In a big 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.
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.
Hi ,
Please could you clarify what type of yellow mustard you use
Thank you
D
Darpal, I used the original/classic one. I hope this helps.
I tried this today on the charcoal grill, after marinating the chicken for 24 hours. Made the skewers with red bell peppers and purple onion pieces. Cooked covered, with applewood smoke for 18 minutes, indirect heat, then 8 minutes uncovered, over the coals, turning to char evenly, and for the meat to reach 160 degrees. Very good and easy. Since I really like spicy, next time I'm going to try using thigh meat, doubling the 7 spice amount, and serve it in a grilled pita with some tzatziki sauce!
Thanks Paul for your feedback and thanks for sharing your grilling tips it will definitely help others as well. Glad you liked it.
I tried this recipe today & OMG! It was so good. The chicken is full of flavor, reminded us of the yummy shish tawouk sandwiches we used to have back in Egypt. I tried other recipes before but after all the effort they turn out bland. This one is a keeper. Thanx Amira!
Samaa, thank you so much for the feedback, I am happy it satisfied your taste buds :).
Thank you Randa Tadros, I was about to ask the same question.
What is 7 spice? Is that available in most stores.
Randa, 7 spices blend is a well known spice that you can find in any Middle Eastern store. There are different versions of it so here is a quick one you can make now by mixing: 1 teaspoon ground coriander, 1 teaspoon ground cardamom, 1 teaspoon ground black pepper,, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg and 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves. Hope this helps.
Hi Amira
I made the sheesh tawooq and they were delicious.
thank you
Hello Yasmina, so glad you liked the recipe. Thanks for your feedback.