Go Back
–+ servings
Several shish tawook skewers on a platter with a bowl of tahini sauce. Next to this is a bowl of salad and a stack of pita bread.
Print Recipe
4.91 from 52 votes

Shish Tawook

Juicy, tangy, and garlicky, this shish tawook recipe delivers the classic Middle Eastern grilled chicken flavor with a simple yogurt marinade and everyday spices. Perfect for wraps, bowls, or weeknight dinners!
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Marinating time4 hours
Total Time4 hours 25 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Lebanese
Servings: 6
Author: Suzy Karadsheh

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice, plus the zest of 1 lemon
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 8 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon allspice
  • 3/4 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into large pieces
  • Kosher salt

Instructions

  • Marinate the chicken. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the yogurt, lemon juice, zest, olive oil, tomato paste, garlic, and spices. Pat the chicken dry and season all over with salt. Add the chicken to the marinade and toss to coat, making sure all the chicken pieces are well covered in the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for 4 to 8 hours.
  • Get ready to grill. Heat a gas grill to medium and lightly oil the grates. Thread the chicken pieces through skewers. Fold larger pieces so they fit better through the skewers–they also look better this way and are more manageable on the grill.
  • Grill the chicken. Arrange the chicken skewers on the heated grill in one layer. Cover and cook for about 15 to 20 minutes, turning every 5 to 7 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through. Enjoy!

Video

Notes

  • Shop this recipe: Visit our shop to browse quality Mediterranean ingredients, including the olive oil and spices used in this recipe.
  • For best flavor, do allow a few hours of marinating time in the fridge. If you don't have the time, let your chicken marinate for 30 minutes or so while you prepare the grill. 
  • Serve tawook with any number of Mediterranean salads and dips. I shared a few ideas in the post including my 3-ingredient Mediterranean salad and sauces like tzatziki and hummus. 

Nutrition

Calories: 298.4kcal | Carbohydrates: 5.2g | Protein: 32.6g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 3.2g | Cholesterol: 145.3mg | Sodium: 189.9mg | Potassium: 472.2mg | Fiber: 0.8g | Sugar: 2.2g | Vitamin A: 375.3IU | Vitamin C: 6.6mg | Calcium: 65.9mg | Iron: 1.7mg

QR code

Scan this QR code with your phone's camera to view this recipe on your mobile device.

qr code