Say goodbye to ready-made shish tawook fast food because the recipe I’m about to introduce will become your ultimate family favorite. It will make you forget all the restaurants you’ve ever been to.
Shish tawook is a Middle Eastern chicken kebab recipe that is guaranteed to tantalize your taste buds. Bursting with flavors and aromas, this juicy grilled chicken dish is a popular favorite among both local and international food menus.
Can You Imagine How Delicious These Skewers Are?
What Is Shish Tawook?
Shish Tawook is a traditional Middle Eastern dish consisting of succulent cubes of chicken breast marinated in a flavorful blend of spices, herbs, and tangy ingredients.
The marinated chicken is then skewered and grilled to perfection. The result? Juicy, tender chicken cubes with a tantalizing char that captivate your taste buds.
With its versatility, easy preparation, and irresistible taste, this recipe is worth to be prepared once a week.
The Middle East is also known for other delectable kebab recipes. You can try them next time: juicy chicken kofta kebabs, tender grilled steak kebabs, juicy Middle Eastern kebabs, and chicken kafta skewers.
Tender Juicy Chicken Skewers
Ingredients
To make the best shish tawook skewers, you need the following ingredients:
Chicken breast: Use boneless chicken breasts and cut them into 1-inch cubes.
Roma tomato: It adds a subtle sweetness and texture to the marinade.
Yogurt: It tenderizes the chicken.
Mayo: It adds creaminess to the marinade.
Olive oil: It helps bind the marinade ingredients together and adds richness.
Garlic cloves: They form the marinade base. Fresh cloves are best.
Red bell pepper: It adds a hint of sweetness and vibrant color to the marinade.
Bunch of parsley: Gives a fresh and herbal note to the chicken marinade.
Spices: You will need Aleppo pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, 7 spices, coriander powder, black pepper, paprika, ginger powder, turmeric, and salt.
Lemon zest and juice: They infuse a tangy and citrusy flavor.
Jalapeño: It is an optional ingredient to enjoy a spicy kick.
Check the recipe card for quantities.
Steps to Prep
Start by adding to a food processor the garlic, bell pepper, tomato, parsley, yogurt, mayo, lemon juice, lemon zest, and jalapeño if using. Blitz until completely puréed.
After that, cut the chicken into 1-inch cubes, then add the marinade on top.
Now, add all the spices and massage them into the chicken well. It’s best to marinate the chicken for at least 6 hours but it works in just 1 hour as well.
Finally, add chicken cubes onto skewers and grill them on medium-high heat covered for 15-20 minutes, while rotating every few minutes.
Alternatively, soak your wooden skewers for a minimum of 30 minutes in cold water before loading the chicken cubes onto the skewers and placing them on a wire rack. Bake covered at 450℉ for 35-45 minutes or so, while rotating.
Be careful not to cook Shish Tawook on excessively high heat, as it may result in a charred exterior while leaving the interior undercooked.
So Delish!
Variations and Substitutions
What I love about this recipe is that it can be customized to suit individual preferences.
Chicken: Replace chicken breast with boneless thighs. Cook time may vary.
Skewer: If you don’t have skewers, you can cook the marinated chicken on a grill pan or in the oven.
Spice level: Adjust the amount of jalapeño or Aleppo pepper based on your preferred level of spiciness.
Herb variations: Experiment with different herbs like cilantro or mint to add a unique twist.
Shish Tawook Serving Suggestions
No matter how you choose to serve it, shish tawook is a versatile recipe that guarantees a burst of Middle Eastern flavors and a satisfying dining experience.
If you are looking for a flavor explosion in every bite, then try a warm pita bread stuffed with grilled shish tawook, crunchy fries, tangy pickles, and a generous drizzle of garlic sauce.
For a satisfying and filling option, take those flavor-packed kebabs and lay them over a fluffy bed of white basmati rice, saffron rice, or Persian jeweled rice. Complete the meal with a side salad or some roasted vegetables.
When it’s time to impress your taste buds and guests, shish tawook shines as the star of a Middle Eastern mezze platter. Pair it with classic delights like hummus, vibrant tabbouleh, crispy fries, and a medley of other tempting sides and dips such as garlic sauce – Middle Eastern toum or baba ghanoush.
If you’re in the mood for something lighter, pair Middle Eastern chicken kebabs with a light salad like fattoush or refreshing Arabic chopped salad.
You can also turn those juicy grilled chicken cubes into a refreshing salad. Slice them up and toss them with crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, refreshing cucumbers, and a tangy dressing that will leave your taste buds dancing.
Grilled to Perfection
Tips and Tricks
Marinating time: To get the best flavor, marinate the chicken cubes for at least 6 hours. However, if you’re pressed for time, even an hour of marinating will infuse the chicken with delicious flavors.
Soak wooden skewers: If you’re using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent them from burning during grilling.
Grill temperature: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat to ensure even cooking and a nice char on the chicken.
Basting: While grilling, baste the chicken skewers with any leftover marinade for added moisture and flavor.
Resting time: Allow the cooked chicken to rest for a few minutes before serving. This helps retain its juices and ensures a tender and juicy bite.
Storage Tips
Fridge: Store shish tawook grilled chicken leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezing: Shish tawook can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
Reheating: To reheat, gently warm the grilled chicken kebabs in a skillet or the oven, being careful not to overcook them.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
For added charred and moisture, baste the chicken skewers with leftover marinade. You can also freeze the marinade for up to three months.
No! They are two different recipes. However, both belong to Middle Eastern cuisine and are marinated in a mouthwatering blend of spices, This is my tasty Chicken Shawarma recipe.
Regular yogurt is best because its water content helps keep the chicken moist.
Must-Try Recipes:
Lemon Garlic Chicken (Jaj O Batata)
Authentic Palestinian Musakhan Recipe
Palestinian Purslane Stew Recipe
Vodka Pasta Recipe Without Vodka
If you’ve tried this recipe, don’t forget to rate it and leave a comment below! I would love to hear about your experience. You can follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Shish Tawook – Middle Eastern Chicken Kebabs
Ingredients
- 3½ pounds chicken breast
- 1½ teaspoons Aleppo pepper
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon 7 spice
- ½ tablespoon coriander powder
- 2½ teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½-1 teaspoon turmeric for color
- ½ tablespoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon ginger powder
- 6 garlic cloves
- 1 red bell pepper
- ⅓ bunch of parsley
- zest of 1 lemon
- juice of 1 lemon
- jalapeño to taste
- 1 large Roma tomato
- 3 tablespoons yogurt
- 1½ tablespoons mayo
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Add to a food processor the garlic, bell pepper, tomato, parsley, yogurt, mayo, lemon juice, zest, and jalapeño if using. Blitz until completely puréed.
- Cut the chicken into 1-inch cubes, then add the marinade on top.
- Add all the spices and massage them into the chicken well. It's best to marinate the chicken for at least 6 hours but it works in just 1 hour as well.
- Add chicken cubes onto skewers and grill them on medium-high heat covered for 15-20 minutes, while rotating every few minutes.
- Alternatively, soak your wooden skewers for a minimum of 30 minutes in cold water before loading the chicken cubes onto the skewers and placing them on a wire rack. Bake covered at 450℉ for 35-45 minutes or so, while rotating.
6 Responses
Hi . It looks so delicious. Can I freeze raw it ?
Hi, absolutely.
So good!!! Will definitely make again- thank you for this delicious recipe!
Great recipe. Although I left out the mayo and didn’t have the bell pepper but it still turned out well! Thanks!
Very very delicious flavorful and tender and juicy thank you.
So delicious! I use this recipe often when pressed for time because they still turn out very flavorful! Of course, best when marinated overnight, rave reviews everytime and I always direct them to this page!