Prepare to tantalize your taste buds with the ultimate Shish Tawook recipe, a celebrated Middle Eastern chicken kabob dish that promises to become a cornerstone of your culinary repertoire. This beloved classic features succulent chicken pieces, expertly marinated in a rich, flavorful blend of yogurt and aromatic spices, then grilled to perfection. The result is exceptionally juicy, tender, and bursting with authentic taste, making it one of the most irresistible grilled chicken recipes you’ll ever experience. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a home cook eager to explore exotic flavors, this guide will walk you through crafting a Shish Tawook that’s both simple to prepare and unforgettable to eat.
WHAT IS SHISH TAWOOK? A Delightful Middle Eastern Chicken Kabob
Shish Tawook (شيش طاووق) is more than just a dish; it’s a cultural icon across the Middle East, particularly in Lebanon and Turkey, where it graces nearly every restaurant menu. The name itself offers a clue to its origins and preparation: “Shish” is the Turkish word for “skewer,” and “Tawook” means “chicken.” This delectable combination translates to “chicken on a skewer,” perfectly describing the essence of this widely adored meal.
While often associated with Lebanese cuisine due to its immense popularity there, the dish is believed to have originated in Turkey and has since spread its delicious influence across the Levant, North Africa, and even into parts of Europe. Its universal appeal lies in its simplicity, incredible flavor profile, and inherent health benefits. Shish Tawook stands out as a healthy, low-carb, and high-protein option, making it a fantastic choice for anyone seeking a nutritious yet deeply satisfying meal.
Traditionally, Shish Tawook features cubes of chicken marinated in a vibrant mixture of yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, and an array of aromatic spices. This unique marinade not only infuses the chicken with rich flavor but also acts as a natural tenderizer, ensuring each bite is incredibly moist and succulent. Once marinated, the chicken pieces are threaded onto skewers, often with vegetables like onions and bell peppers, and then grilled until beautifully charred and cooked through. Whether served as a main course, a component of a larger mezze spread, or tucked into warm pita bread, Shish Tawook offers a delightful taste of Middle Eastern culinary heritage.
MASTERING THE ART OF SHISH TAWOOK: From Marination to Grilling
Crafting perfect Shish Tawook at home is a rewarding experience, allowing you to control the freshness of ingredients and tailor the flavors to your preference. While there are numerous variations, the core method remains consistent: preparing the chicken, creating a luscious marinade, and then grilling. My personal approach incorporates a few nuances that elevate the traditional recipe, particularly focusing on the marination process and the grilling technique to achieve an unparalleled depth of flavor and texture.
For an authentic taste and the most tender results, grilling Shish Tawook over charcoal is highly recommended. The smoky essence imparted by charcoal grilling adds an irreplaceable dimension that truly enhances the dish. However, for those without access to a charcoal grill, equally delicious results can be achieved using a gas grill, an indoor grill pan, or even by baking or broiling in the oven. Each method offers its own advantages, ensuring that this delightful chicken kabob can be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of their kitchen setup.
The beauty of Shish Tawook lies in its versatility. While skewering is traditional, many home cooks, like my mother-in-law, sometimes opt to bake the marinated chicken pieces directly on an oven pan without skewers, simplifying the preparation without compromising on flavor. Regardless of the grilling method or whether you choose to skewer, the secret to truly exceptional Shish Tawook always begins with an outstanding marinade.
The Heart of the Flavor: The Shish Tawook Marinade
The marinade is undoubtedly the star of any Shish Tawook recipe. It’s the magical blend that transforms simple chicken pieces into extraordinarily juicy, tender, and intensely flavorful kabobs. My journey to perfect Shish Tawook always begins with carefully cubing the chicken and then drenching it in this essential mixture. For the best texture, I highly recommend using chicken tenders if available, as they tend to be more tender and absorb flavors better than regular chicken breasts. If using breast meat, ensure it’s cut into uniform, bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking.
The core ingredients of an authentic Shish Tawook marinade are what impart its signature taste and tender texture. Here’s a breakdown of why each component is crucial:
- Whole Milk Yogurt: This is a non-negotiable ingredient. Yogurt, particularly plain, non-Greek varieties (as Greek yogurt can be too thick), tenderizes the chicken beautifully due to its lactic acid. It also helps the spices cling to the chicken, creating a protective coating that keeps the chicken moist during grilling.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: A generous squeeze of lemon juice adds a bright, tangy zest that cuts through the richness of the yogurt and spices. It also aids in tenderization and brings a refreshing citrus note that is characteristic of Middle Eastern cuisine.
- Minced Garlic: Garlic is fundamental for its pungent, aromatic depth. Freshly minced garlic is always best for maximum flavor impact.
- Olive Oil, Vegetable Oil, or Canola Oil: Oil helps to emulsify the marinade, carry fat-soluble flavors, and ensure the chicken stays moist while cooking. It also prevents the chicken from sticking to the grill.
- Tomato Paste & Ketchup: These add a subtle sweetness, a touch of acidity, and a beautiful reddish hue to the finished kabobs. Tomato paste provides concentrated tomato flavor, while ketchup adds a hint of tang and sweetness that complements the spices.
- Salt & Black Pepper: Basic seasonings essential for enhancing all the other flavors.
- Shish Tawook Spice Blend: This is where the magic truly happens. While a ready-made blend (like the popular SHAN brand, readily found online or in Middle Eastern stores) offers convenience, crafting your own blend from individual spices allows for customization. My preferred homemade blend, which I’ll share in the recipe card, typically includes a mix of 7 spice (or allspice), cayenne pepper for a subtle kick, oregano for herbaceous notes, and paprika for color and a mild, peppery flavor.
For optimal results, it is paramount to marinate the chicken for a minimum of 2-4 hours. This allows sufficient time for the flavors to penetrate the meat and for the tenderizing properties of the yogurt and lemon juice to work their magic. For an even more intense flavor and melt-in-your-mouth tenderness, I highly recommend preparing the marinade and chicken the night before and letting it rest in the refrigerator overnight. This extended marination period ensures the chicken emerges incredibly tender, juicy, and infused with every layer of flavor. Even if you’re short on time, a quick 30-minute marinade is better than none, but aiming for longer will significantly improve the final dish.
A useful tip: this versatile marinade can last in your fridge for 2-3 days, making it perfect for meal prepping. You can prepare a larger batch of marinated chicken and grill fresh skewers over a few days, ensuring delicious, healthy meals are always within reach.
Grilling Your Shish Tawook for Perfection
Once your chicken has soaked up all the wonderful flavors of the marinade, it’s time for the exciting part: grilling! The act of threading the marinated chicken onto skewers is an art in itself, and it allows for creative additions that enhance both flavor and presentation. You can alternate the chicken pieces with cubed onions, bell peppers (red, green, or yellow for a vibrant mix), or even pieces of zucchini if you desire. These vegetables not only add extra texture and flavor but also help prevent the chicken from drying out during cooking. For this particular recipe, I kept it simple, focusing purely on the chicken, and opted for an indoor grill pan due to the chilly weather outside.
Here’s a guide to various grilling methods:
- Charcoal Grill (Highly Recommended): For that authentic, smoky flavor, a charcoal grill is unbeatable. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Place the skewers directly over the coals, turning them every 4-5 minutes, until all sides are beautifully charred and the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F or 74°C). The total grilling time will typically be around 15-20 minutes, depending on the thickness of your chicken pieces and the heat of your grill.
- Gas Grill: A convenient alternative to charcoal. Preheat your gas grill to medium-high. Lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking. Cook the skewers for 4-5 minutes per side, rotating until golden brown and cooked through.
- Indoor Grill Pan: Perfect for colder climates or apartment living. Heat a heavy-bottomed grill pan over medium-high heat until it’s smoking slightly. Add a tablespoon of oil and place the skewers on the hot pan, ensuring not to overcrowd it. Grill for 4-5 minutes per side, achieving nice grill marks, until the chicken is fully cooked.
- Oven Baking/Broiling: If you don’t have a grill, the oven is a great substitute. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) for baking, or set it to broiler mode. For baking, arrange skewers on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper and bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway, until cooked. For broiling, place skewers on a rack over a baking sheet, about 6-8 inches from the broiler element. Broil for 3-5 minutes per side, watching carefully to prevent burning, until browned and cooked through. This method also creates a nice char.
No matter which grilling method you choose, the key is to ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safety, while maintaining its juicy texture. The beautiful char on the outside, combined with the tender interior, is what makes grilled Shish Tawook an absolute delight.
Perfect Pairings: What to Serve with Shish Tawook
Shish Tawook is incredibly versatile and pairs beautifully with a variety of side dishes, creating a complete and satisfying meal. To truly immerse yourself in the authentic Middle Eastern experience, certain traditional accompaniments are a must:
- Garlic Paste (Toum): This creamy, pungent Lebanese garlic sauce is the quintessential partner for Shish Tawook. Its intense garlic flavor and fluffy texture perfectly complement the tender chicken.
- Hummus: A classic chickpea dip, hummus adds a smooth, earthy richness that balances the grilled flavors.
- Fattoush or Tabbouleh Salad: These vibrant, fresh salads are staples in Lebanese cuisine. Fattoush, with its crispy pita bread pieces and zesty sumac dressing, and Tabbouleh, a finely chopped parsley and bulgur wheat salad, both offer a refreshing contrast to the richness of the chicken. I’ll be sharing recipes for these soon on my blog!
- Simple Green Salad: For a lighter option, a simple salad made with fresh lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and a bright lemon-tahini or lemon-olive oil dressing is always a good choice, as I’ve done in the accompanying photo.
- Quinoa: As a healthier, high-protein carbohydrate alternative, quinoa is an excellent choice for a modern twist on a traditional meal.
- Middle Eastern Vermicelli Rice: Most traditional restaurants and families serve Shish Tawook with fragrant, fluffy rice cooked with toasted vermicelli noodles. This creates a comforting and substantial base for the flavorful chicken.
- French Fries or Lebanese Spicy Potatoes (Batata Harra, بطاطا حارة): For those who enjoy a heartier side, golden French fries are a popular option. Even better is the vibrant and flavorful Batata Harra, pan-fried potatoes seasoned with cilantro, garlic, and chili, offering a wonderful spicy kick.
- Pita Bread Sandwich: Shish Tawook also makes for an incredible sandwich. Simply stuff the grilled chicken and your favorite sides (like garlic paste, pickles, and salad) into warm pita bread for a portable and immensely satisfying meal.
With so many delicious options, you truly can’t go wrong when deciding what to serve alongside your homemade Shish Tawook. Each pairing offers a unique way to enjoy this versatile and flavorful dish.
I genuinely hope you take the time to try and enjoy this authentic Shish Tawook (شيش طاووق) recipe with your family and friends! Its healthy profile makes these chicken skewers an excellent option for meal prep, providing delicious and nutritious meals throughout the week. Don’t forget to tag me on INSTAGRAM so I can see your delightful recreations! Try it, Rate it, Share it! Xoxo…
OTHER RECIPES YOU MAY LIKE:
Lebanese Spicy Potatoes (Batata Harra)
Lebanese Lentil Soup
Sweet and Chili Shrimp Stir Fry
Shish Tawook
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. chicken tenders or breast, cubed into 1.5 inch pieces
- cubed onions, optional
- cubed bell peppers, optional
MARINADE:
- 3 tbsp. lemon juice
- 1 cup whole milk yogurt, plain and non-Greek
- 2 tbsps. garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup oil, Olive, Vegetable or Canola
- 1 tsp. salt
- 2 tbsp. ketchup
- 1.5 tbsp. tomato paste
- 4 tbsps. Shish Tawook Spice
NOTE:
If you don’t have the Shish Tawook spice blend, add:
- 1 tsp. 7 spice, can substitute for allspice
- 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp. black pepper
- 1/2 tsp. oregano
- 1 tsp. paprika, extra
Instructions
- Cube the chicken breast or tenders into 1.5 inch pieces.
- Combine all marinade ingredients with the chicken. Mix well to ensure every piece is coated. Marinate for 2-4 hours, or ideally overnight in the refrigerator for the best flavor and tenderness.
- Thread the marinated chicken onto skewers, adding optional cubed onions or bell peppers between chicken pieces. Grill on each side for 4-5 minutes, turning frequently, until the chicken is cooked through and lightly charred.
- Serve immediately with your favorite suggested sides.
Nutrition
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