Shish Tawook: Juicy Grilled Chicken Skewers Marinaded in Yogurt and Spices Recipe
Shish Tawook is a flavorful Middle Eastern grilled chicken dish featuring tender boneless chicken marinated in a mixture of yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, and aromatic spices. The chicken is skewered and grilled to perfection, delivering a juicy and savory meal that’s perfect for serving with pita bread and fresh accompaniments.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 25 minutes (including marinating time)
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Ingredients
Marinade and Chicken
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into large chunks
- ½ cup plain whole milk yogurt
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 6 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ¾ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Optional for Serving
- Pita bread
- Lettuce
- Garlic sauce
- Onion wedges (for skewering)
Instructions
- Prepare Marinade: In a large bowl, whisk together yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, crushed garlic, tomato paste, paprika, cinnamon, oregano, ground ginger, salt, and black pepper until fully combined to create a flavorful marinade.
- Marinate Chicken: Add the chicken chunks into the marinade and thoroughly coat all pieces. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours to allow the flavors to penetrate and tenderize the chicken.
- Thread Chicken onto Skewers: Just before grilling, thread the marinated chicken pieces onto skewers. Optionally, add a wedge of onion between chicken chunks on each skewer for added flavor and moisture.
- Grill Chicken: Preheat the grill to medium heat. Grill the skewered chicken for 5-8 minutes on each side, or until the chicken is cooked through and has a slight char, indicating perfect grilling.
- Serve: Remove the chicken from the skewers and serve hot alongside pita bread, fresh lettuce, and a side of garlic sauce for an authentic Middle Eastern experience.
Notes
- Marinating for at least 4 hours is crucial for tender, flavorful chicken.
- You can soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes before threading to prevent burning on the grill.
- If you don’t have a grill, cooking the skewers under a broiler or on a grill pan on the stovetop works as a good alternative.
- Adjust spices based on your taste preference; for some heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the marinade.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with tabbouleh, hummus, or a fresh cucumber salad for a complete meal.
