This Shish Tawook comes together in about 30 minutes and is cooked on the grill for a quick and easy lunch that your family will love! Trust me, this dish is not only flavorful and comforting but also incredibly flexible, making it my go-to for busy days.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt: This gives our chicken that yummy tender texture!
- 2 tablespoons olive oil: Add in some healthy fats for delicious juicy chicken.
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice: Freshly squeezed is best for that zing!
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste: For an extra depth of flavor.
- 3 cloves garlic, grated/minced: Because garlic enhances everything!
- 1 teaspoon paprika: You’ll love that smoky taste.
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin: This adds a warm, earthy note.
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano: You can use fresh if it’s hanging around!
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: A couple pinches for that essential flavor.
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper: Don’t skip this; it rounds out the taste.
- 1 pound boneless and skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces: I prefer thighs for juiciness, but it’s all about your choice!
How to Make Shish Tawook
Prepare the Marinade: In a medium bowl, mix together the plain yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, tomato paste, minced garlic, paprika, ground cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper. Just a heads up, all those yummy aromatic spices will begin to blend together and make your kitchen smell incredible!
Marinate the Chicken: Toss the chicken pieces into the marinade, ensuring every piece gets coated. Cover it and pop it in the fridge for at least 20 minutes but feel free to let it hang out overnight if you can! The longer it marinates, the more flavorful it becomes.
Preheat the Grill: If you’re using a grill, preheat it to medium-high heat. For those who are a bit hesitant, don’t worry, this is super easy! Alternatively, you could use a grill pan on your stovetop.
Skewer the Chicken: Once your chicken is ready to go, skewer the pieces onto soaked wooden skewers or metal skewers. I like leaving a bit of space between the pieces for even cooking and that lovely char!
Grill the Chicken: Place the skewers on the grill and cook for about 2-5 minutes per side, or until you see those beautiful grill marks and it’s cooked through. You’re looking for an internal temperature of 165°F. Honestly, the smell wafting from the grill is pure heaven!
Let It Rest: Once done, take them off the grill and let the skewers rest for a few minutes before serving. This helps to seal in those juices.
Serve and Enjoy: Serve the Shish Tawook with your favorite accompaniments, think fluffy rice, fresh salad, or warm pita bread. You could also drizzle some tahini sauce or a yogurt-based sauce over it for extra creaminess!
I just love how quick and easy this Shish Tawook is to throw together. Really, it’s like a weeknight miracle!
If you loved this Shish Tawook, be sure to check out my Chicken Marsala and my Middle Eastern Zaatar Yogurt Chicken! I think you’ll enjoy those just as much!
Why This Recipe Works
Quick & Easy: 30 Minutes or Less!
This Shish Tawook comes together in under 30 minutes! You can quickly marinate the chicken before work, then grill it when you get home. It’s perfect for those nights when you need dinner on the table fast.
Customizable
You can use whatever ingredients you have! Whether it’s swapping the chicken for shrimp, or using Greek yogurt instead of regular yogurt, you’ll find a combination that works for you. Think about adding some peppers or mushrooms to the skewers or even making it a vegetarian option with hearty veggies like eggplant!
Family Favorite
The whole family will love it! Even my picky eaters were excited and kept asking for seconds! Seriously, nothing brings people together like good food.
Packed with Flavor
This recipe is loaded with tons of flavor from the marinade. It’s beyond delicious and gives your chicken a juicy, tender bite that’s just amazing.
Meal Prep Friendly
You can easily make this ahead of time. Marinate on the weekend and toss it on the grill for a quick meal any night of the week. Just remember, it’s great for leftovers too!
The Best Ways to Enjoy These Shish Tawook Skewers
Serving Suggestions
Shish Tawook is incredibly versatile! You can serve it with:
- Pita Bread: To make tasty wraps and sandwiches.
- Rice Pilaf: The fluffy rice is a perfect base for the chicken.
- Tabbouleh Salad: A refreshing side to brighten up your plate.
- Yogurt Sauce: Drizzle it over for extra creaminess.
Storage Tips
- Refrigerator: Store leftover Shish Tawook in an airtight container and it should keep for about 3-4 days.
- Freezer Friendly: Yes, you can freeze the marinated chicken prior to grilling! It’ll keep well for up to 3 months. Just let it thaw in the fridge before cooking.
Reheating Instructions
To reheat, I recommend placing the chicken in the oven at 350°F until warmed through. You could also use a microwave, but do take care, no one likes rubbery chicken!
Honestly, whether you’re having friends over for a summer BBQ or just looking for a weeknight meal, this Shish Tawook recipe is bound to become a favorite in your home.
And just like that, you have an entire feast perfect for any occasion, without breaking a sweat! Happy grilling, friends! And for more recipes, follow us on Pinterest.
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Easy Shish Tawook
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten-Free
Description
This easy Shish Tawook comes together in about 30 minutes and is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner your family will love!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 3 cloves garlic, grated/minced
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 pound boneless and skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a medium bowl, mix together the plain yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, tomato paste, minced garlic, paprika, ground cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Marinate the Chicken: Toss the chicken pieces into the marinade, ensuring every piece gets coated. Cover it and pop it in the fridge for at least 20 minutes.
- Preheat the Grill: If using a grill, preheat it to medium-high heat. Alternatively, you could use a grill pan on your stovetop.
- Skewer the Chicken: Skewer the pieces onto soaked wooden skewers or metal skewers.
- Grill the Chicken: Place the skewers on the grill and cook for about 2-5 minutes per side until cooked through.
- Let It Rest: Take them off the grill and let the skewers rest for a few minutes before serving.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve the Shish Tawook with your favorite accompaniments.
Notes
For added flavor, marinate chicken overnight. This Shish Tawook can be customized with your favorite vegetables.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 skewer
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 70mg