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a close view of a plate of two skewers of shish tawook grilled chicken sprinkled with finely chopped parsley served with Arabic chopped salad, a small bowl of garlic sauce, and lemon wedges

Shish Tawook - Middle Eastern Chicken Kebabs

Fatimah
Shish Tawook is the epitome of grilling perfection, delivering an explosion of tastes that will leave you craving for more. Try it now!
5 from 5 Ratings
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Marinating Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 35 minutes
Course Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine Middle Eastern
Servings 8
Calories 2517 kcal

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.

Notes

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.

Nutrition

Calories: 2517kcalCarbohydrates: 37gProtein: 349gFat: 102gSaturated Fat: 18gPolyunsaturated Fat: 22gMonounsaturated Fat: 47gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 1027mgSodium: 8008mgPotassium: 6809mgFiber: 11gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 9210IUVitamin C: 180mgCalcium: 279mgIron: 12mg
Keyword Middle Eastern Chicken Kebab, Middle Eastern Shish Tawook, Shish Tawook, Shish Tawook Grilled Chicken, Shish Tawook Recipe
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