Shish Tawook (Lebanese Chicken Skewers)

  • Total Time (with marinating) - 5 hours 45 minutes
  • Preparation - 15 minutes
  • Marination - 5 hours (min. 2 hours)
  • Grilling/Baking - 30 minutes
  • Servings: 4
  • Country: Lebanon
Hot, grilled Chicken Shish Tawook skewers with juicy chicken pieces, served with bread and garlic sauce.

The secret to juicy Shish Tawook lies in the yogurt marinade. The lactic acid in yogurt (and lemon juice) naturally tenderizes the chicken fibers without drying them out.

For the best texture, use a mix of chicken breasts and thighs, or only boneless, skinless thighs.

Ingredients

For the Chicken and Preparation

  • 800 g Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast or Thighs, cubed
  • 8 pcs Wooden or Metal Skewers

For the Yogurt Marinade

  • 100 ml Plain Yogurt (or buttermilk)
  • 3 Tbsp Lemon Juice
  • 4 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 1 Tbsp Tomato Paste (for color and sweetness)
  • 2 Tbsp Olive Oil
  • 1.5 tsp Ground Sweet Paprika
  • 0.5 tsp Ground Cumin
  • 0.25 tsp Cayenne Pepper (optional)
  • to taste Salt and Black Pepper

For Serving

  • to taste Toum Sauce (Lebanese Garlic Sauce)
  • for side dish Pita Bread or Rice
  • for garnish Pickled Cucumbers, fresh vegetables

Instructions

Step 1: Preparation and Marinating

If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning during grilling.

In a large bowl, mix all marinade ingredients: yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, tomato paste, olive oil, paprika, cumin, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper.

Add the chicken cubes and mix thoroughly so that every piece is coated with the marinade.

Cover and refrigerate to marinate for a minimum of 5 hours, ideally overnight (maximum 24 hours).

Step 2: Threading and Grilling/Baking

Preheat the oven to 220 °C (425 °F) or heat the grill (or pan).

Thread the chicken cubes onto the skewers (you can alternate with pieces of onion or bell pepper if desired).

Oven Baking: Place the skewers on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or hang them over the edge of the sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes, turning halfway through, until cooked (internal temperature 74 °C (165 °F)) and beautifully golden brown.

Grilling: Grill over medium heat for 4-6 minutes on each side until cooked through.

Step 3: Serving

Serve the skewers immediately. Traditionally, they are served with Lebanese rice, French fries, fresh salad, and especially with a generous amount of homemade Toum garlic sauce. They can also be served in pita bread as a wrap.