Authentic Shish Tawook Chicken Skewers Recipe | Little Sunny Kitchen (2024)

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By: DianaPosted: 2/23/21Updated: 2/23/24

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Shish Tawook is Lebanese grilled chicken skewers or kabobs. Served all year round, the distinctive color and flavor of this dish come from the yogurt and spice marinade that also tenderizes the chicken so it literally melts in your mouth! Serve this tender juicy chicken with homemade Toum garlic sauce, pita bread, pickles, and sumac onions for the ultimate Lebanese experience.

Authentic Shish Tawook Chicken Skewers Recipe | Little Sunny Kitchen (1)

What is Shish Tawook

Shish Tawook or Shish Tawooq takes us back to the origins of the dish, the name comes from Turkey, Shish means skewers and Tawook means chicken. This dish is all about the marinade, and there are 3 important elements to the marinade: yogurt, lemon, and garlic.

What the yogurt and lemon do is not just flavor the chicken, but also help break down the muscle fibers and therefore tenderize the chicken.

In Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan, Shish Tawook is mainly done on an outdoor grill even during the winter months. However, home cooks found an easier way for a quick meal to saute the chicken skewers in saute pan or a grill pan with a little olive oil.

I like to use my grill pan to char the chicken give it some beautiful marks. But you can also do this in the oven (instructions included in the recipe card below) and then place the chicken under the broiler to char the chicken.

Authentic Shish Tawook Chicken Skewers Recipe | Little Sunny Kitchen (2)

The Ingredients

This is authentic recipe, and here’s what you’ll need to make it:

  • Chicken – I usually use chicken breasts but you can use chicken thighs if you prefer. Cut into 1-inch pieces.
  • Yogurt – plain natural yogurt or Greek yogurt.
  • Fresh lemons for the juice, olive oil, and minced garlic.
  • Tomato paste.
  • Spices – ground cumin, paprika, oregano, ground black pepper, and salt.
Authentic Shish Tawook Chicken Skewers Recipe | Little Sunny Kitchen (3)

How to Make Shish Tawook

Make the marinade – In a large bowl, combine yogurt with tomato paste, lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, cumin, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Give it a good whisk so it’s well combined.

Marinate the chicken – Place the chicken pieces in the marinade, give it a mix so that the chicken is well covered, cover with plastic wrap and marinate for at least 2 hours and up to 24 hours in the fridge. The marinade will work as a meat tenderizer and flavor the chicken at the same time.

Thread the chicken – if you’re using bamboo skewers, remember to soak them in water for at least 20 minutes. Thread the chicken onto the skewers, about 4-5 pieces per skewer. And they’re ready to be grilled!

Grill the chicken skewers – because the chicken was marinated and tenderized, it doesn’t take long to cook. On the grill or a grill pan, it takes about 4-6 minutes per side. If cooking in the oven, preheat the oven to 360°F/180°C and place on a half sheet pan allowing the skewers to stay on the rim so that the chicken isn’t touching the pan. Add half a cup of water to the bottom of the pan, and cook in the oven for 30 minutes.

Authentic Shish Tawook Chicken Skewers Recipe | Little Sunny Kitchen (4)

Top Tips

  • Marinate the chicken for at least 2 hours but preferably overnight.
  • When threading the chicken, do not squeeze it tight but don’t leave space between every 2 pieces.
  • Feel free to add slices of yellow onions or bell peppers to the skewers as I did in my grilled chicken kabob recipe.
  • A couple of halved tomatoes can be put on the grill as the chicken is being grilled, and enjoyed with the chicken.
  • The chicken is ready when the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C). Use an Instant reach thermometer to check.
  • When you pull the chicken skewers off the grill, tent with foil and let the chicken steam in there for 10 minutes to lock in the juices and stay moist.
  • To make the sumac onions, thinly slice red or yellow onions, then in a bowl combine the chopped parsley, onions, with a drizzle of olive oil, a splash of lemon juice, sumac, and salt. Give it a give massage, and serve.
Authentic Shish Tawook Chicken Skewers Recipe | Little Sunny Kitchen (5)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between shish tawook and shawarma?

Sometimes Shish Tawook and Shawarma are confused, and while both are chicken Middle Eastern dishes, they use different spices and are cut differently. Shawarma seasoning includes warmer spices such as cardamom, ginger, and cloves. While Shish Tawook has a milder flavor profile.

What do you serve with Shish Tawook?

Normally, Shish Tawook is a part of the mixed grill so you’d find lamb and beef skewers and sometimes lamb ribs on the platter as well. But Shish Tawook can also be served on its own as a sandwich or a wrap, or with a Fattoush Salad and garlic sauce. Try it with my Pasta with Yogurt Sauce too!

How to store grilled chicken?

Store leftovers in an airtight container without any sauces in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven until just warmed through.

Is Shish Tawook healthy?

Yes! It’s lean chicken marinated in a simple yogurt based marinade, then grilled. You can sub the yogurt for fat-free yogurt if you prefer. One portion of the grilled chicken contains around 300 calories (roughly).

Authentic Shish Tawook Chicken Skewers Recipe | Little Sunny Kitchen (6)

And to make the most amazing Shish Tawook wrap, just get warm pita or flatbreads, spread some Toum garlic sauce over it (or garlic tahini sauce), add the chicken cubes, some pickles, and sumac onions. Enjoy while still warm!

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!

Recipe

Authentic Shish Tawook Chicken Skewers Recipe | Little Sunny Kitchen (7)

5 from 30 votes(Click stars to rate!)

Shish Tawook

Prep Time: 15 minutes mins

Chill time: 2 hours hrs

Total Time: 2 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Author: Diana

Print Rate Recipe

Shish Tawook is Lebanese grilled chicken skewers or kabobs. Served all year round, the distinctive color and flavor of this dish come from the yogurt and spice marinade that also tenderizes the chicken so it literally melts in your mouth!

5 servings

Shish Tawook is Lebanese grilled chicken skewers or kabobs. Served all year round, the distinctive color and flavor of this dish come from the yogurt and spice marinade that also tenderizes the chicken so it literally melts in your mouth!

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup plain natural or Greek yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • 2 pounds (900g) chicken breasts boneless and skinless, cut into 1-inch pieces

Instructions

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine yogurt with tomato paste, lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, cumin, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Give it a good mix so it's well combined.

  • Place the chicken pieces in the marinade, give it a mix so that the chicken is well covered, cover with plastic wrap and marinate for at least 2 hours and up to 24 hours in the fridge.

  • If you're using bamboo skewers, remember to soak them in water for at least 20 minutes. Thread the chicken onto the skewers, about 4-5 pieces per skewer.

  • Grill on an outdoor grill or a grill pan for about 4-6 minutes per side.

Notes:

  • If cooking in the oven, preheat the oven to 360°F/180°C and place on a half sheet pan allowing the skewers to stay on the rim so that the chicken isn’t touching the pan. Add half a cup of water to the bottom of the pan, and cook in the oven for 30 minutes.
  • Marinate the chicken for at least 2 hours but preferably overnight.
  • When threading the chicken, do not squeeze it tight but don’t leave space between every 2 pieces.
  • Feel free to add slices of yellow onions to the skewers.
  • A couple of halved tomatoes can be put on the grill as the chicken is being grilled, and enjoyed with the chicken.
  • The chicken is ready when the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C). Use an Instant reach thermometer to check.
  • When you pull the chicken skewers off the grill, tent with foil and let the chicken steam in there for 10 minutes to lock in the juices and stay moist.
  • Serve over pita bread with Toum garlic sauce, pickles, and sumac onions.
  • To make the sumac onions, thinly slice red or yellow onions, then in a bowl combine with chopped parsley, onions, a drizzle of olive oil, a splash of lemon juice, sumac, and salt. Give it a give massage, and serve.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container without any sauces in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven until just warmed through.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 314kcal, Carbohydrates: 4g, Protein: 40g, Fat: 14g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 121mg, Sodium: 719mg, Potassium: 794mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 346IU, Vitamin C: 6mg, Calcium: 67mg, Iron: 1mg

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.

© Little Sunny Kitchen

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Reader Interactions

Leave a Review!

  1. Maureen M says

    Authentic Shish Tawook Chicken Skewers Recipe | Little Sunny Kitchen (14)
    Made this for dinner tonight. It we yummy! I followed the recipe exactly. Once I had all the ingredients together whipping it up was super simple. The only thing I did differently was how I cooked the chicken. During the microwave defrosting process, the chicken actually cooked a little making it difficult to put on the skewer. I ended up grilling the pieces directly on my indoor grill pan. This worked perfectly! I will definitely make this dish again!

    Reply

    • Little Sunny Kitchen says

      I love how well you were able to adapt the recipe with a little bit of a hiccup. Great job, and I’m so glad that you liked the recipe!

      Reply

Older Comments123

Authentic Shish Tawook Chicken Skewers Recipe | Little Sunny Kitchen (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between shish kabob and Shish Tawook? ›

Though both refer to dishes cooked on a skewer, shish kebabs can include any meat, including beef, chicken, or seafood. Shish kabobs may also have veggies, like bell pepper or onions, for extra freshness and fiber. Meanwhile, shish tawook refers to skewered kebabs made with marinated chicken.

What does tawook mean in Arabic? ›

And tawook means chicken. The Ottoman (Turkish) Empire ruled Lebanon for a while, which is why there is a Turkish influence on some Lebanese cuisine.

What is chicken tawook made of? ›

What is shish tawook? In Turkish, the word "shish" means skewer, and "tawook," also spelled taouk, means chicken. Shish tawook is basically Middle Eastern chicken skewers or chicken kebabs, bathed in a bold yogurt-based marinade with citrus, garlic, and lots of warm spices.

What is the difference between chicken shawarma and chicken Tawook? ›

Shish tawook is grilled chicken skewers prepared in a yogurt-based marinade. Meanwhile, shawarma is thinly sliced meat prepared on a rotating vertical cone. You know, the one you see regularly at kebab shops? The traditional flavors and seasonings used in both dishes are also different.

Do you use red or white onion for shish kabobs? ›

Use yellow, red or white – whatever you like best! For the kabob, cut the onion into 4 pieces and again in half so the pieces come out triangular. Bell Peppers: Use red, yellow and green – the more color the better! Just make sure to cut them into similar-sized pieces as your beef.

What cut of meat is best for shish kabob? ›

Choose the Best Beef Cut for Kabobs

Relatively tender, without a need for extensive marinating, Sirloin (from top to tip) is lean and fits into a balanced diet — plus, it's budget-friendly . Other good beef choices for kabobs are Flat Iron or Strip Steak and even Tenderloin.

Is chicken shish tawook healthy? ›

Like other dishes made with chicken, Shish Taouk is also high in protein. Each 100-gram portion of this food contains the body with 14g of protein. Protein intake gives your body amino acids, the building blocks of tissues, such as muscles.

What is the Arabic word for rude? ›

أَغْلَف [ʼaḡlaf] {adj. } (فَظّ) rude (also: uncivilized) خَشِن [ḵašin] {adj. } (فَظّ)

What is Yallah? ›

The Arabic word "Yallah" is a versatile and commonly used expression. It can mean "let's go," "come on," or "hurry up" depending on the context.

How long to marinate chicken? ›

You can marinate chicken anywhere from 2 hours up to 24 hours, though marinating chicken for even 15 to 30 minutes can impart flavor and moisture into smaller pieces of meat. Generally, bone-in cuts of chicken, such as wings, drumsticks and breasts, will require a longer marinade time than their boneless counterparts.

Why is it called Shish Tawook? ›

The name "Shish Tawook" is derived from the Turkish words "şiş" (skewer) and "tavuk" (chicken), reflecting its primary ingredient. The history of Shish Tawook can be traced back to the Ottoman Empire, where grilling meat on skewers was a common cooking method.

Is chicken shawarma or shish taouk healthier? ›

While the two dishes use similar spices, shawarma does not use lemon and yoghurt, which means it doesn't have the same light balance as Shish Tawook does.

What ethnicity is chicken shawarma? ›

Shawarma is a Levantine dish with a rich history dating back to the Ottoman Empire in the Eastern Mediterranean region, particularly in Turkey and Lebanon.

What is Lebanese chicken made of? ›

It's a combination of olive oil, tomato paste, smoked paprika, plenty of garlic, and lots of lemon (always so much lemon). If you're familiar with Lebanese style chicken, this is the more traditional marinade for Lebanese Shish Tawook, grilled chicken skewers.

Why is it called shish tawook? ›

The name "Shish Tawook" is derived from the Turkish words "şiş" (skewer) and "tavuk" (chicken), reflecting its primary ingredient. The history of Shish Tawook can be traced back to the Ottoman Empire, where grilling meat on skewers was a common cooking method.

What is the difference between a shish kabob and a kabob? ›

The shish kabob (a western version) is served on the stick (great for appetizers!) and usually contain vegetables, kabab is just meat on a stick and the shwarma is plated meat taken off the spit, and served with pita bread.

What makes a shish kebab? ›

What Kind of Meat Is Used for Shish Kebab? Shish kebabs are traditionally lamb or mutton, but you can make kebabs with everything from beef tenderloin to chicken breasts to quick-cooking veggies like cherry tomatoes, red and green bell peppers, and zucchini.

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