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    Home » Recipes » Chicken Recipes

    Shish Tawook (Grilled Chicken Skewers)

    Published: Jul 1, 2021 · Modified: Sep 14, 2022 by Samantha Ferraro · This post may contain affiliate links · 7 Comments

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    Shish tawook literally translates to "chicken skewers" and is widely known in Lebanese and Middle Eastern cuisine. Chicken thighs marinate in a mixture of yogurt, lemon and warm spices before being grilled over charcoal to create the most tender, juicy and flavorful chicken. This will become your favorite skewer recipe and is perfect served over lavash or my Chopped Kale and Chickpea Salad with Creamy Tahini Dressing.

    Shish tawook literally translates to "chicken skewers" and is widely known in Lebanese and Middle Eastern cuisine. Chicken thighs marinate in a mixture of yogurt, lemon and warm spices before being grilled over charcoal to create the most tender, juicy and flavorful chicken. This will become your favorite skewer recipe and is perfect served over lavash or salad.

    Mediterranean Chicken Kabobs: An Easy Weeknight Dinner

    If you follow me on Instagram, you know that we love to grill, especially in the summer. Our go-to protein is usually skinless, boneless chicken thighs. Always tender with a bit of fat for juiciness and much more flavorful than chicken breasts, in my opinion.

    Chicken thighs are quick to thaw, take on flavors well and easy to cook with in any preparation. Therefore, making shish tawook a perfect weeknight dinner.

    And may I recommend serving the grilled chicken skewers alongside a colorful Mediterranean charcuterie board for a show stopping meal!

    Shish tawook literally translates to "chicken skewers" and is widely known in Lebanese and Middle Eastern cuisine. Chicken thighs marinate in a mixture of yogurt, lemon and warm spices before being grilled over charcoal to create the most tender, juicy and flavorful chicken. This will become your favorite skewer recipe and is perfect served over lavash or salad.

    Shish Tawook Marinade

    This is a marinade where most if not all the ingredients are cooking staples and are my go-to's without even thinking twice. Yogurt is a natural tenderizer and whether you marinate chicken, beef or lamb, a yogurt marinade always yields a fantastic outcome.

    Lemon zest and juice, garlic and olive oil are also added. For spices, paprika, cumin, a touch of cinnamon and cayenne if you don't mind a bit of heat.

    Shish tawook literally translates to "chicken skewers" and is widely known in Lebanese and Middle Eastern cuisine. Chicken thighs marinate in a mixture of yogurt, lemon and warm spices before being grilled over charcoal to create the most tender, juicy and flavorful chicken. This will become your favorite skewer recipe and is perfect served over lavash or salad.

    A Few Cooking Tips

    • Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are the prefered protein but chicken breasts will work too. If using breasts, I'd recommend marinating a bit longer to help tenderize the meat.
    • Marinate for as long as you have time for. Early in the day to 30 minutes before cooking is fine.
    • This same marinade is fantastic on cubed beef and lamb as well.
    • Serve shish tawook with chopped kale salad with tahini dressing, Honey Harissa Cauliflower or Lebanese tabbouleh salad.

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    Shish Tawook (Grilled Chicken Skewers)

    Samantha Ferraro

    LittleFerraroKitchen.com

    Shish tawook are Middle Eastern grilled chicken skewers that have been marinated in yogurt, lemon, garlic and spices.
    5 from 10 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 40 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Resting Time 5 minutes mins
    Total Time 55 minutes mins
    Course Main, Main Course
    Cuisine Lebanese, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Turkish
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 444 kcal

    Equipment

    • Skewers

    Ingredients
     
     

    • ¼ cup olive oil
    • ¼ cup yogurt
    • 3 garlic cloves chopped finely or grated
    • 1 lemon zested and juiced
    • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
    • 1 teaspoon turmeric
    • ½ teaspoon cumin
    • ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
    • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
    • ¼ teaspoon cayenne optional if you like a bit of heat
    • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1 inch cubes
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    Instructions
     

    • In a large bowl, whisk all the ingredients together except for the chicken.
    • Use paper towels to pat the chicken dry, this will help the marinade stick better.
    • Add chicken to marinade and mix well. Place plastic wrap over the bowl and place in refrigerator if marinating longer than an hour.
    • About 30 minutes before you're ready to grill, remove chicken from refrigerator and skewer onto metal skewers. (if using wood skewers, just make sure to soak them in water for an hour before grilling).
    • Once your grill or grill pan is nice and hot, skewer chicken and grill on first side for about 3-4 minutes or until deep golden and lightly charred, then turn over and grill other side until golden brown and charred.
    • Once done, remove from grill and let rest for at least 5 minutes. I like to place the tawook directly on top of lavash or pita bread to serve.
    • Serve shish tawook with pita or lavash bread or along side a salad.

    Notes

    This is a great make ahead recipe, you can marinate for as long as 24 hours and as little as 30 minutes.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 444kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 52gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 145mgSodium: 411mgPotassium: 950mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 323IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 47mgIron: 2mg
    Did you make this recipe?Let us know by leaving a comment and 5 star rating!

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    Comments

    1. MrnMrsindkitchen says

      July 23, 2023 at 12:41 pm

      5 stars
      Yogurt marinade is Wonderful. It coats the protein and tenderizes the chicken. We spend the summer grilling most of our meals. This recipe is great.

      Reply
    2. Maressa says

      July 11, 2023 at 8:28 am

      5 stars
      We LOVED this recipe. It is sure to become a go-to in our home!

      Reply
      • Samantha Ferraro says

        July 11, 2023 at 8:37 am

        Maressa, This recipe is our go-to also. Glad you loved it. Samantha.

        Reply
    3. Luv2cook says

      June 19, 2023 at 4:11 am

      5 stars
      Yogurt has always been a great marinade. This recipe goes a step further with the Shish Tawook (Grilled Chicken Skewers) with the Cinnamon, turmeric and paprika. What a great combination. We thought we bought Boneless skinless chicken thighs but grabbed chicken breast instead, it still turned out Wonderful.

      Reply
    4. Bekah says

      December 28, 2021 at 5:16 pm

      5 stars
      This was lovely! I used a vegan yogurt and it made a wonderful dinner, thanks!

      Reply
      • Samantha says

        December 29, 2021 at 11:48 pm

        Thank you so much Bekah!! So glad you enjoyed and thanks for mentioning the substitution!

        Reply
    5. Tilly says

      November 28, 2021 at 1:07 pm

      5 stars
      I used a tiny bit too much chili pepper flakes but this recipe was delicious! The best chicken I have ever made.

      Reply

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