Shish Tawook is a traditional marinated chicken kebab of Middle Eastern cuisine. They are commonly consumed in Turkey, Azerbaijan, Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine and Iraq. Let us find out the meaning of the name and its origin. The Turkish term Shish originates from skewers.
Tawook is a tavuk adaptation, from the ancient Turkish takagu, which is chicken. The traditional jujeh kabab is a comparable meal in Persian cuisine, offered in Kebab houses in many towns around the globe. The meal comprises of either marinated, skewered or grilled chicken cubes.
Common marinades are based on yoghurt and lemon juice or purée of tomatoes, although there are other variations.And we are sure the fantastic Shish Tawook (Lebanese chicken skewers) – version of this dish will spark your taste buds.
Ingredients (4-6 servings):
- 2 lb chicken breast, cut into 1-1 ½ inch pieces
(Marinade the following in a large bowl)
- 1 lemon, juiced (roughly ¼ c)
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ c plain yoghurt or Greek yoghurt
- 2 Tb olive oil
- 1 tsp ground thyme
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tsp tomato paste
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
(For the Skewers)
- 6-7 wooden skewers, soaked in water
Directions:
- Mix all the marinade items in a small bowl.
- Move the chicken in a flat, sealed container and pour the marinade over the chicken. Mix the chicken with the marinade to make sure all the parts are well-coated.
- Cover the container and allow to marinate for at least 4 hours in the refrigerator, until overnight.
- Preheat the grill to medium heat, approximately 350F. (You ought to be able to hold your hand about 3 inches from the cooking grate for 6-7 seconds).
- Thread the chicken parts on the wet skewers, then press the pieces up against each other.
- Grill the skewers of chicken on one side for 8-10 minutes until the chicken is firm and golden brown.
- Serve your shish tawook with pita bread and sliced tomatoes or with rice and grilled vegetables.