Shish Tawook – Lebanese Marinated Chicken
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
Make this Lebanese favorite at home! Shish Tawook will soon be your go-to chicken recipe thanks to the flavorful garlic, lemon, and yogurt marinade.
Recipe Overview
Why you’ll love it: This yogurt and lemon juice based marinade really tenderizes the chicken. It’s so flavorful, too!
How long it takes: 30 minutes, plus a few hours to marinate the chicken
Equipment you’ll need: resealable bag or a bowl, skewers, broiler pan or grill
Servings: 4 (8 oz. each)
We get Lebanese carry-out a lot, more than I care to admit, but we’re working on cutting down on restaurant meals to save money and be more conscientious about what we eat.
I can’t even tell you how great it feels to be cooking meals we love. And let’s be honest, most things that you order at a restaurant, you can make at home. They taste better and are better for you (less sodium, for sure!).
We could eat this dinner twice a week. I’m addicted, Ben loves shish tawook and so do the kids! Ben says he loves them more than the restaurant version — score!
PS: If you love this shish tawook recipe, you’ll also love this chicken kofta recipe and grilled chicken shawarma drumsticks!
About Shish Tawook
Cubes of protein-rich boneless skinless chicken breast are soaked in a yogurt marinade. You won’t believe how tender and juicy the yogurt makes the chicken! Shish tawook definitely is NOT a boring chicken breast. The shish tawook is so flavorful thanks to lemon, garlic, and spices in the marinade.
The chicken skewers can be broiled in your oven or grilled outside, whichever you prefer.
Serve shish tawook with rice and a green salad. Make a wrap sandwich with pita , topped with tahini garlic sauce and pickled radishes.
We love the grilled chicken on a salad, too, topped with tangy cucumber yogurt tzatziki. Serve the salad with homemade hummus and warm pita bread. Shish tawook goes especially well with tabbouleh salad.
Or just eat shish tawook straight off the skewer. That’s what I do.
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @rachelcooksblog on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into cubes
- ½ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (from 2 lemons)
- 3 cloves garlic, crushed
- ⅓ cup plain fat-free Greek yogurt
- 6 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon ground pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon tomato paste
Instructions
- In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together marinade ingredients.
- Place chicken in a large resealable bag. Add marinade to the bag. Seal bag. Rub and move around chicken to coat thoroughly.
- Place the bag in a glass baking dish or bowl (in case of leakage) and refrigerate and marinate for at least 4 hours.
- Meanwhile, soak wooden skewers in water, if using.
- Skewer the chicken onto soaked skewers and place on a broiler pan. Broil on high for 15 to 18 minutes, turning once, or until chicken is browned and cooked through. If you prefer, grill the chicken.
- Serve with rice and salad, or on a pita with garlic sauce, if desired.
Notes
- Nutrition information is somewhat inaccurate since much of the marinade is discarded after using.
Nutrition Information
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
Melea says
I just made this recipe tonight and I will be making it again soon! I grilled the chicken and it was moist and delicious. I didn’t want to open a whole can of tomato paste for just 1 tsp so I added Ketchup instead .
Rachel Gurk says
So glad you liked it! Good call on the ketchup. :) Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment!
Megan @ MegUnProcessed says
This sounds tasty!
Molly says
Yum! I love how easy this marinade is!
Rachel Gurk says
Thanks Molly!
Megan says
Made this tonight on the grilk. My husband and I other really liked it! Thanks.
Rachel Gurk says
So happy to hear that! It’s one of our favorites. Thank you for taking the time to comment!
Chicken and Dumplings Recipe says
My favorite at home! I love chicken recipe
Bente G. says
I made this tonight for my family, and put them on the grill. Everyone devoured it and they smelled amazing. Great recipe, thank you!
Rachel Gurk says
So glad you liked this recipe! It’s one of my favorites.
amy says
turned out great -perfect cook time under broiler as well.
Rachel Gurk says
So glad you liked it!
sarah k @ the pajama chef says
i love the lemon-spice flavor combo! these definitely are a great take out fake out. :) yumm!
Erika @ The Hopeless Housewife says
This looks out of this world delicious! We would love to have you link it up at The Hopeless Housewife Link Party, we are giving away a Le Creuset French Oven.
Rachel Gurk says
Thanks Erika, will do!
Laurie {Simply Scratch} says
I’m like a kid and will fall for anything skewered! Looks amazing Rachel!
Bree {Skinny Mommy} says
Sounds fabulous! I wish I had a Lebanese restaurant around here!
Ali | Gimme Some Oven says
Lebanese food is the best!!! I love that you tried these homemade! :)
Gerry @ foodness gracious says
You would love my local Lebanese place, my two fav meals are chicken shawarma and lamb kofta kebas!! I gotta try yours!
Nicole @ youngbrokeandhungry says
Come to think of it, there are not many Lebanese restaurants in Seattle which is probably why I hardly ever eat it. Although, I do love chicken skewers so I am eager to try this recipe. Pinned for later!