Make This Delicious Lebanese Shish Tawook Recipe - CulturEatz (2024)

Exotic World Recipes, Main Course Recipes

Who could resist these beautifully grilled chicken skewers known as Lebanese Shish Tawook?

Marinated in yogurt, lemon juice, tomato puree, loads of garlic, and shish tawook spices, this is one excellent chicken shish tawook recipe.

Believe it or not, this Lebanese Shish Tawook recipe has been the number #1 recipe on on the Cultureatz blog for the last few years. But the post needed a bit of spit and shine so here is my revamped version. I hope it remains your favorite post for a long time to come.

Make This Delicious Lebanese Shish Tawook Recipe - CulturEatz (2)

Let’s Explore Lebanon

The Republic of Lebanon is a small Middle Eastern country and its trendy capital is Beirut. The country dips its coast along the beautiful Mediterranean Sea and Lebanon shares a border with Syria and Israel.

Lebanon is a country with a long and rich history. Phoenician, Egyptian, Roman, Umayyad, Crusader, and Ottoman ruins are scattered about the country. Lebanon is a country rich in natural scenery from beautiful beaches to mountains and valleys. Most everyone in North America and Europe is familiar with Lebanese cuisine.

Popular Food in Lebanon

They include an abundance of starches, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, Tabouleh Salad, fresh fish, and seafood. Mezze, an array of small dishes such as pickled vegetables or raw vegetables, hummus, baba ghanouj, are common. The Lebanese flatbread is a staple to every Lebanese meal and can be used to replace the usage of the fork.

Lebanese chicken recipes are enjoyed occasionally, as are Lebanese lamb and goat kebab recipes. Grilled marinated seafood and skewered meats often make up the main meal. Turns out the Lebanese shish kebab recipe is any kind of meat dish, from the skewered meat to a patty, to the one in a stew.Other Lebanese food recipes are baked or sautéed in olive oil.

They also include copious amounts of garlic, lemon juice, herbs, and spices, which make up the majority of the shish taouk seasoning.

Make This Delicious Lebanese Shish Tawook Recipe - CulturEatz (3)

Lebanese Sweets

These include baklava, Kaak, Sfouf, Muhallabieh, sumptuousfruit co*cktails, oriental-flavored ice creams, and Maamoul. Arak, an anise-flavored liqueur, is the Lebanese national alcoholic drink and is usually served with traditional convivial Lebanese meals. You will also see fruits, cheeses, nuts, and more.

Is Shish Taouk Lebanese?

The shish tawook origin actually comes from the Ottoman Empire, which was based in Turkey. The word “Shish” means a skewer and the word ‘tawook’ means chicken. So you may see several names for the Lebanese tawook recipe. Here are a few spellings I have come across:

  • Chich taouk recipe
  • Taouck Lebanese marinade
  • Tauok chicken kebab
  • Shish taouk Lebanese recipe
  • طاووق لبناني
  • Shish tawok Lebanese chicken skewers
  • shish tawouk recipe

I have a FREE PRINTABLE for you

Surprise! I have prepared aCheat Sheet that includes 41 Cooking and Baking Ingredient Substitutions that are commonlyfound in a kitchen.Click here to get yourFREE Ingredient Substitutions Cheat Sheet right now!

Make This Delicious Lebanese Shish Tawook Recipe - CulturEatz (4)

Lebanese Shish Tawook

Shish Tawook is one of the best-known Middle Eastern chicken recipes. And even if the name has actually Turkish roots, you can find it in most Arabic countries, like the Persian’s Jujeh Kabob.

But for most people, Arabic Shish Tawook chicken skewers are synonymous with Lebanese restaurants, often served as a shish tawook wrap with pita bread. And it is no surprise we have incorporated these delicious grilled meat skewers into our diet because they are a type of grilling technique.

The shish taouk sauce includes a base of yogurt, lemon juice, tomato puree, loads of garlic, and exotic spices which includes a healthy dose of sumac. This recipeis adapted fromHungry Foodiesrecipe.

Make This Delicious Lebanese Shish Tawook Recipe - CulturEatz (5)

What Does Shish Tawook Taste Like?

I always get the chicken Lebanese taouk plate when I go to a popular fast-food Lebanese joint in my city. They often cook it traditionally on a long skewer that is rotated by hand. My best Lebanese Shish Tawook recipe is a smaller scaled version that can be made at home and tastes just like the real deal.

The shish taouk marinade recipe is creamy and tangy, has a nice shish tawook spice mix, with earthy aromas, and is full of garlic. It greatly seasons the tender and juicy marinated chicken, giving the perfectly charcoal grilled Lebanese chicken shish tawook recipe a lot of depth of flavor.

I am amazed at how well this chicken shish kabob recipeturned out at home, it may be even one of thebest shish taouk recipes I ever tasted.

Make This Delicious Lebanese Shish Tawook Recipe - CulturEatz (6)

Lebanese Shish Tawook - Grilled Chicken Skewers

It's so easy to make Lebanese Shish Tawook, just marinate your chicken in yogurt, lemon juice, tomato puree, loads of garlic, and a few exotic spices

5 from 3 votes

Print RecipePin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Rest 2 hours hrs

Total Time 2 hours hrs 25 minutes mins

Course Main

Cuisine lebanese

Servings 2 servings

Calories 617 kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into large cubes
  • 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 heaping tbsp tomato paste
  • 6 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp paprika
  • 1 tsp thyme
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 2 tablespoons sumaq
  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 4 skewers soaked in water for 30 minutes
  • 1 to tomato halved and broiled
  • 2 pitas cut into triangles

Instructions

  • In a bowl, combine yogurt, tomato paste, olive oil, minced garlic and lemon juice. Stir in all the herbs and spices well.

  • Coat the chicken with the marinade and refrigerate for 2 to 8 hours.

  • Thread chicken on skewers and grill or broil on high for 10-15 minutes, turning once, until you see visible char marks and the chicken is cooked.

Make This Delicious Lebanese Shish Tawook Recipe - CulturEatz (7)

Check out all the wonderful Lebanese dishes prepared by fellow Eat the World members and share with #eattheworld. Find out how to join Eat the World here and have fun exploring a country a month in the kitchen with us!

Culinary Cam: Some Lebanese Favorites: Lamb Ummo, Lubyee Bi Lahmi, and Mujadara
Amy’s Cooking Adventures: Ka’ak (Lebanese Purse Bread)
Pandemonium Noshery: Halawet el Jibn – Lebanese Semolina Cheese Dessert
Sneha’s Recipe: Eggless Layali Lubnan
A Day in the Life on the Farm: Instant Pot Beef Shwarma
Magical Ingredients: Malfouf Salad

  1. Radha on April 14, 2023 at 23:09

    These sound amazing and who can resist these! The flavors are SO GOOD!

    Reply

    • Evelyne on April 15, 2023 at 08:54

      I highly recommend them!

      Reply

  2. Radha on April 14, 2023 at 22:58

    Who could resist these! The flavors sound SO GOOD!

    Reply

    • Evelyne on April 15, 2023 at 08:54

      They really are irrisistable

      Reply

  3. Sneha Datar on March 15, 2023 at 08:43

    Looks delicious, a perfect starter!

    Reply

    • Evelyne on March 15, 2023 at 09:59

      Thank you 🙂

      Reply

  4. Wendy Klik on March 10, 2023 at 11:36

    I love shish tawook and cannot wait to try this version.

    Reply

    • Evelyne on March 10, 2023 at 16:23

      Let me know what you think when you try it!

      Reply

  5. Sharon on August 30, 2022 at 03:48

    Make This Delicious Lebanese Shish Tawook Recipe - CulturEatz (8)
    Since I adore Lebanese food and this recipe, I had to learn how to make the garlic sauce (toom). It takes this recipe from terrific to sublime!

    Reply

    • Evelyne on September 1, 2022 at 14:14

      Thank you!

      Reply

  6. Elaine on April 11, 2022 at 01:28

    Make This Delicious Lebanese Shish Tawook Recipe - CulturEatz (9)
    Made these tonight. It started snowing so I cooked them in the air fryer. Luscious. Lebanese rice and fatouche salad. I love Lebanese food!

    Reply

    • Evelyne on April 11, 2022 at 09:20

      Thank you Elaine for the rave review. I hope this dish helped to ignore the wintery scene outside.

      Reply

  7. Zeina on July 1, 2019 at 15:11

    How many pounds is 2 chicken breasts?

    Reply

    • Evelyne on July 1, 2019 at 16:41

      It really depends on the size of the breast, but approx 3 boneless breasts to 1 pound.

      Reply

  8. Karyn on January 11, 2019 at 18:25

    Tonight’s the night! I’m making this tonight for dinner. It’s been marinating for a few hours now and I can’t wait to try it!

    Reply

    • Evelyne on January 11, 2019 at 19:25

      Oh seriously, awesome! I expect feedback! Have a great dinner!

      Reply

    • Evelyne on May 22, 2018 at 11:56

      Oh you are in for a treat then if this will be your first try at Lebanese cooking at home MJ. Perfect for grilling too 🙂

      Reply

  9. GiGi Eats on May 17, 2018 at 23:02

    CAN YOU PLEASE COME VISIT ME IN LA so we can hit up ALLLL the Lebanese, because it’s legit the only cuisine I eat out and……. Well, I need someone else who would appreciate the crap out of it to scarf it down with me!

    Reply

    • Evelyne on May 18, 2018 at 06:21

      Awwwww YYYEESSS but only if we have salmon at one meal and Lebanese at the next, every day!

      Reply

  10. Tami on May 16, 2018 at 20:49

    These kabobs look delicious! I’m going to save this recipe to try this summer when we break out the grill!

    Reply

    • Evelyne on May 17, 2018 at 06:31

      Thank you Tami, they are wonderful especially right on the bb indeed, finally, it is getting warmer!

      Reply

  11. Liz on May 16, 2018 at 15:07

    Such a terrific marinade! Perfect timing as it’s finally feeling like grilling season has arrived!

    Reply

    • Evelyne on May 16, 2018 at 15:22

      Thank you Liz AND you don’t need a kitchen to grill 😀

      Reply

    • Evelyne on May 16, 2018 at 13:50

      Yes, well a ruling dynasty, so in this case considered one of the ‘tribes’ to have ruled these parts.

      Reply

  12. Mrs Susan on May 16, 2018 at 13:18

    Another great blog post! I personally love it when you include some history of the country behind the food. I am now looking up “Umayyad”. ☺️

    Reply

    • Evelyne on May 16, 2018 at 13:26

      Thank you Sys and yes I should do more country info like I did before. So what is Umayyad again?

      Reply

  13. John / Kitchen Riffs on May 16, 2018 at 11:14

    Can definitely see why this is a reader favorite — terrific recipe. Tons of flavor in this dish, and I’ll take all the garlic I can get. 🙂 Good stuff — thanks.

    Reply

    • Evelyne on May 16, 2018 at 11:58

      Thank you so much, John, and here is to a long-lived favorite! It really is flavor packed!

      Reply

  14. GiGi Eats on June 5, 2015 at 01:04

    Lebanese!!!! I CRAVE THIS CUISINE!! Shawarma and I are BESTIES!!! 😀 😀 😀

    Reply

  15. marcela on March 19, 2015 at 12:17

    Looks scrumptious! I love kebabs!

    Reply

  16. Liz on March 13, 2015 at 16:56

    What delicious kebabs! I’m so glad grilling season will be upon us soon!

    Reply

  17. Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella on March 13, 2015 at 02:33

    I love the sound of this Eve and have only ordered it but not cooked it at home! I wish I was going out for Lebanese tonight now! 😀

    Reply

  18. Daniela on March 12, 2015 at 22:12

    I love Lebanese cuisine, it’s one of the best in the Middle East and these chicken skewers look and sound amazing.
    I’m hungry now.

    Reply

  19. Katerina on March 12, 2015 at 03:19

    I am totally drooling here and this dish is exactly what I would love to have right now!

    Reply

  20. Sugar et al. on March 11, 2015 at 21:06

    Who can resist beautifully grilled cubes of chicken…Not me!It is lunch time and I am craving this so much. What a mouthwatering plate of food!

    Reply

  21. The Squishy Monster on March 11, 2015 at 16:58

    I obviously need to get some sumac asap. I definitely can’t resist this!

    Reply

  22. Umm Hamza on March 11, 2015 at 05:52

    Hi Evelyn,
    Your shish tawook looks delicious and although i wouldn’t use nutmeg for religious reasons the other spices sure make this dish tantilizing for the taste buds. Look forward to linking up with you again next month.

    Reply

  23. Rafeeda on March 11, 2015 at 02:59

    God… look at that!!! I wish I could grab that across and enjoy them right away!

    Reply

  24. Joanne T Ferguson on March 10, 2015 at 21:19

    G’day What a great post Evelyne with a mouthwatering view!
    Thank you for participating in this month’s MENA Lebanon challenge and thanks for the acknowledgement as was helping out a fellow blogger which am sure people would help out in turn too! Well done! Delish!
    Cheers! Joanne

    Reply

  25. Amira on March 10, 2015 at 17:56

    We looove chicken skewers at our home.. so delish and your look divine.

    Reply

  26. Dedy@Dentist Chef on March 10, 2015 at 13:12

    Simply damn delicious spicy chicken skewer !!!

    Reply

  27. K / Pure & Complex on March 10, 2015 at 14:09

    I don’t think I’ve ever eaten Lebanese food, but this looks amazing.

    Kay of Pure & Complex
    http://www.houseofkts.com/

    Reply

  28. Angie@Angie's Recipes on March 10, 2015 at 11:15

    I have to try that marinade soon. This looks scrumptious!

    Reply

  29. Juliana on March 10, 2015 at 00:21

    Wow these chicken skewers sound and look delicious…so flavorful! I love it! Thanks for sharing the recipe Evelyne…
    Have a wonderful week ahead 🙂

    Reply

  30. Erica on March 9, 2015 at 17:55

    I love the marinade, Evelyne! This dish sounds terrific!

    Reply

Submit a Comment

Make This Delicious Lebanese Shish Tawook Recipe - CulturEatz (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between shish tawook and shawarma? ›

Shish tawook is grilled chicken skewers prepared in a yogurt-based marinade. Meanwhile, shawarma is thinly sliced meat prepared on a rotating vertical cone. You know, the one you see regularly at kebab shops? The traditional flavors and seasonings used in both dishes are also different.

What is tawook made of? ›

In Turkish, the word "shish" means skewer, and "tawook," also spelled taouk, means chicken. Shish tawook is basically Middle Eastern chicken skewers or chicken kebabs, bathed in a bold yogurt-based marinade with citrus, garlic, and lots of warm spices.

Is chicken shish tawook healthy? ›

Like other dishes made with chicken, Shish Taouk is also high in protein. Each 100-gram portion of this food contains the body with 14g of protein. Protein intake gives your body amino acids, the building blocks of tissues, such as muscles.

What is the difference between Mishwi and Tawook? ›

To identify chicken mishwi vs. tawook, you'll want to look at the method of assembly and cooking process. Chicken mishwi refers to chicken grilled on charcoal, whereas shish tawook is made by cooking cubed chicken on skewers.

What does shawarma mean in Lebanese? ›

Originating from the Ottoman Empire (roughly modern-day Turkey) in the 18th or 19th century, shawarma, also spelled shawurma or shawerma, meaning “turning” in Arabic, is a Levantine meat preparation, where thin cuts of lamb, chicken, beef, or mixed meats are stacked in a cone-like shape on a vertical rotisserie (it has ...

Is shawarma a junk food? ›

One of the biggest disadvantages of shawarma is that it is high in fat and calories.” “The meat used in shawarma is often very fatty, and the addition of oils and sauces can add even more calories. As a result, eating shawarma on a regular basis can lead to weight gain.”

What does tawook mean in Arabic? ›

And tawook means chicken. The Ottoman (Turkish) Empire ruled Lebanon for a while, which is why there is a Turkish influence on some Lebanese cuisine.

How long to marinate chicken? ›

You can marinate chicken anywhere from 2 hours up to 24 hours, though marinating chicken for even 15 to 30 minutes can impart flavor and moisture into smaller pieces of meat. Generally, bone-in cuts of chicken, such as wings, drumsticks and breasts, will require a longer marinade time than their boneless counterparts.

What is the meaning of shish in Arabic? ›

Etymology. Shish in Syrian-Arabic dialects or şiş in Turkish means skewer. Some scholars assert that it is itself a Persian loanword from sikh, others say that it comes from the root "sı" in old Turkish meaning "to cut".

Is falafel or shawarma healthier? ›

In essence, the ingredient profile of falafel is in the least unhealthy. In fact, compared to other counterparts of the food, including chicken shawarma, falafel tops the list to contain the healthiest amount of all ingredients that are required by the body.

Is Arabic grilled chicken healthy? ›

It's a fantastic lean protein perfect for meal prep to enjoy throughout the week. In the Middle East, we refer to this as shish tawook. You will find it named similarly in all Arabic restaurants.

What is the healthiest chicken piece? ›

The chicken breast is lean and has the most protein by weight, making it ideal for people who want to lose weight, maintain muscle mass and improve recovery. Fattier cuts like the thigh, drumstick and wings have more calories, which make them better for people wanting to build muscle or gain weight.

Why is it called Shish Tawook? ›

The name "Shish Tawook" is derived from the Turkish words "şiş" (skewer) and "tavuk" (chicken), reflecting its primary ingredient. The history of Shish Tawook can be traced back to the Ottoman Empire, where grilling meat on skewers was a common cooking method.

Is shish taouk the same as shawarma? ›

While the two dishes use similar spices, shawarma does not use lemon and yoghurt, which means it doesn't have the same light balance as Shish Tawook does. Instead, chicken Shawarma has more of a warm, deep flavour profile, with spices such as turmeric and cinnamon to give it that classic cosy, rich taste.

What is Arab barbecue called? ›

Mangal, the Middle Eastern barbecue.

Is shish and shawarma the same thing? ›

While the two dishes use similar spices, shawarma does not use lemon and yoghurt, which means it doesn't have the same light balance as Shish Tawook does. Instead, chicken Shawarma has more of a warm, deep flavour profile, with spices such as turmeric and cinnamon to give it that classic cosy, rich taste.

What makes shawarma different? ›

shawarma, popular street food in the Middle East, which originated in Turkey and is made of spit-roasted layers of lamb, beef, or other meat that are sliced and often wrapped in or served with pita. Shawarma is similar to Greek gyros, though the former is seasoned with more spices and the latter with more herbs.

What is the meaning of shish Tawook? ›

Shish taouk (or shish tawook) is a dish of marinated chicken that is typically skewered and grilled. The word shish, which comes from the Old Turkish word şiş, means “skewer”. And tawook means chicken.

Why is it called shawarma? ›

Shawarma is an Arabic rendering of Turkish çevirme 'turning', in reference to the rotisserie-cooked nature of the meat, which “turns” around an axis. Similar naming conventions apply to the Turkish döner and the Greek gyro, both of which reference the turning action of the associated cooking mechanism.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Maia Crooks Jr

Last Updated:

Views: 6176

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (43 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Maia Crooks Jr

Birthday: 1997-09-21

Address: 93119 Joseph Street, Peggyfurt, NC 11582

Phone: +2983088926881

Job: Principal Design Liaison

Hobby: Web surfing, Skiing, role-playing games, Sketching, Polo, Sewing, Genealogy

Introduction: My name is Maia Crooks Jr, I am a homely, joyous, shiny, successful, hilarious, thoughtful, joyous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.