Shish Tawook Chicken Kabobs are a traditional dish with roots in Middle Eastern cuisine, particularly popular in Lebanon, Syria, and Turkey. With a marinade blending garlic, spices, and yogurt, this aromatic dish is a delight in a salad, pita, with naan bread or eaten off the skewer!
Shish Tawook Chicken Kabobs
The name “Shish Tawook” originates from the Turkish words “şiş” meaning skewer and “tavuk” meaning chicken, reflecting the essence of this flavourful grilled chicken dish.
Traditionally, these Middle Eastern kabobs are made with marinated chunks of boneless chicken, often chicken breast or thigh, threaded onto skewers and grilled. Accordingly the marinade typically consists of yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and a blend of aromatic spices. This marinade not only infuses the chicken with irresistible flavour but also helps tenderize the meat, resulting in juicy and succulent kabobs.
Anytime Meal
An easy dish to create, it’s awesome at backyard barbecues, festive gatherings, and even for casual weeknight dinners. Serve it as a main course or as part of a mezze spread, with warm pita or naan bread, a Fattoush or chopped Israeli salad.
Love Middle Eastern food? Here’s a few of our favourite!
Note: this recipe was originally published on Savour Calgary Food Magazine website in 2021 in collaboration with Alberta Motor Association and Bon Ton Meat Market.
If you made this recipe tag Wanda Baker on Instagram and hashtag it #bakersbeans or #wandabaker
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 3-4 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/8 tsp nutmeg
- 1/8 tsp cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp allspice
- salt and pepper
- 12 boneless, skinless chicken thighs cut into bite size pieces
Accompaniments
- pita bread or naan
- tomato, sliced thin
- white or red onion, sliced thin
- bunch radishes, sliced in half lengthwise and grilled
- hummus
- butter or Boston lettuce
Instructions
- Create marinade by whisking together Greek yogurt through salt and pepper.
- In a bowl or plastic sealable bag, combine marinade and chicken. and let sit in the refrigerator a minimum of 2 hours or overnight.
- When ready to cook, thread chicken pieces onto skewers. Grill over medium heat 12-15 minutes turning every few minutes, or until cooked through.
- Remove from grill and serve with accompaniments.
These kabobs were excellent! We enjoyed with warmed pita, rice and some of the fixings you mentioned.
We really love your recipes. This was another delicious one. I let it marinate over night and can’t believe how tender the chicken was! Also served with a side of Lebanese yogurt.
Have made this recipe twice now, marinated once over night and once for only a couple hours. Didn’t really make a difference, was moist and tender both times. I use my Big Green Egg to grill these kabobs and it’s really one of the best recipes I’ve tried. Thanks!
The marinade was bursting with flavor and the chicken was so juicy and tender. It was a hit with my family and I will definitely be making it again!
WOW, I adore Middle Eastern cuisine and these Shish Tawook Kabobs did not disappoint! Absolutely, delicious, the marinade makes them so flavorful, and it’s quick to prepare too. Thank you, I’ll be making them again soon!
These chicken kabobs were so good. Juicy and amazing flavor!!
My new favourite way to enjoy chicken. Thank you!
Simple and delicious chicken kabobs recipe. THanks for sharing.
I’m in love with this recipe. The spices are so bold, and the chicken is so tender. Fantastic.
We love the spice blend in the marinade, and the kabobs are simple and easy to make. We like to make enough so there are plenty of leftovers for weekday lunches.
The flavors in this recipe all go together so well! Nice way to introduce flavors that are new to my family!
It’s such a great kabobs recipe, never tried this way, will make it soon for dinner, looks delicious. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Wow, it’s the first time I prepared this and my family loves it. Thanks for this recipe.