Hey there, fellow food lovers! I’m super excited to share my latest obsession with you, the Quick and Easy Shish Tawook! This delicious dish comes together in about 30 minutes and is grilled to perfection for a quick weeknight meal that your family will absolutely love! Plus, it’s so versatile. You can switch up the ingredients based on what’s in your fridge, making it a fantastic option to use up those leftover veggies or that half a pepper you have lying around. Trust me, once you give this a go, it’ll become a staple in your home too!
Ingredients Breakdown
To make this scrumptious shish tawook, let’s gather some ingredients. Here’s everything you’ll need:
1/2 cup plain yogurt
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon tomato paste
3 cloves garlic, 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, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
Let’s Get Cooking!
How to Make Shish Tawook
Mix the Marinade: In a medium bowl, combine the yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, tomato paste, minced garlic, paprika, cumin, oregano, salt, and a couple pinches of pepper. Stir until well blended. You’ll want it to smell amazing, trust me!Timing: This should take about 5 minutes.
Marinate the Chicken: Toss in your bite-sized pieces of chicken, making sure they’re well-coated. This is where all that flavor kicks in! Cover and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes. If you have more time, let it marinate longer for even more flavor.Timing: 20 minutes is a good minimum, but 1 hour is even better if you can swing it.
Skewer the Chicken: If you’re using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning on the grill. Skewer the marinated chicken pieces, leaving a little space in between for even cooking.Timing: This should only take about 5-7 minutes!
Grill Time: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Grill those skewers for 2-5 minutes on each side, until they get nice char marks and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Oh, the smell as they cook? Absolute heaven!Timing: About 10-15 minutes total to grill.
Serve it Up: Allow them to rest for a few minutes before serving with warm pita bread, fresh veggies, and a drizzle of tahini sauce or a sprinkle of fresh herbs. The crispy edges, juicy chicken, and fresh toppings are seriously the best way to enjoy this dish!Timing: Let them rest for a few minutes while you get everything ready.
Why I Love This Recipe
This Shish Tawook is truly my go-to recipe for busy weeknights! The best part is that it’s comfort food with tons of flavor, and my kids ask for it over and over again. I’m a real sucker for meals that come together quickly but feel special, and this dish nails it. Plus, if I’m low on chicken, I can still whip this up with shrimp or even hearty veggies, which means it’s endlessly customizable! You can use whatever you’ve got on hand, seriously, this recipe has got your back!
If you loved this Shish Tawook, be sure to check out my Shish Barak, my Lebanese Meat Pies (Sfeehas), or my Mahashi (Middle Eastern Stuffed Vegetables)! Each of these recipes brings something unique to the table.
Why This Recipe Works
Quick & Easy
This dish really shines because it comes together in under 30 minutes. When you’re juggling kids, work, and life, a quick and easy dinner is a lifesaver!
Comfort Food
Let’s face it, grilled chicken on skewers is just fun and comforting. It screams family meal in the best way!
Customizable
You can use whatever ingredients you have at home, which means this recipe can easily adapt to what’s in your fridge or pantry. Need it gluten-free? Ditch the pita!
Make-Ahead Friendly
Want to prep dinner in advance? Marinate the chicken the night before and just skewer and grill it when you’re ready. Easy peasy!
Crowd-Pleaser
This dish is bound to please everyone, from picky eaters to culinary adventurers. Serve it with a variety of sides, and watch your family go back for seconds. You might even have some leftovers, but I wouldn’t count on it; it’s too tasty!
Serving & Storage
How to Serve This Shish Tawook
I like to serve my shish tawook with warm pita bread, a variety of fresh veggies (think cucumbers, tomatoes, and maybe some pickled onions), and a dollop of tahini or tzatziki sauce. If you’re feeling gourmet, throw in some grilled veggies or a simple salad for an extra touch!
Storage
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheating Instructions
To reheat, simply pop them in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or heat them in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through.
Freezer Friendly
Absolutely yes! Freeze the skewers before cooking, just make sure to marinate them first, then place them in freezer-safe bags. When you’re ready to use them, let them thaw in the fridge overnight, and grill as usual!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use different proteins?
Absolutely! Shrimp, beef, or even veggies work well. Just be mindful of cooking times, shrimp cooks much faster than chicken!
Can I make this in an oven instead?
You sure can! Preheat your oven to 400°F and place the skewers on a baking sheet. Bake for about 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway until they reach the desired doneness.
What can I serve with shish tawook?
This dish pairs beautifully with couscous, rice, or a fresh salad. The options are endless!
There you have it, folks! Easy peasy, right? The Shish Tawook is not just a delightful meal, it’s also a fantastic way to gather your loved ones around the dinner table. Now go grab those ingredients and let’s get grilling! For more Recipes Follow Us in our Pinterest.
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Shish Tawook
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten-Free
Description
A delicious and versatile dish that comes together in about 30 minutes, perfect for a busy weeknight meal.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 3 cloves garlic, 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, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
Instructions
- Mix the Marinade: In a medium bowl, combine the yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, tomato paste, minced garlic, paprika, cumin, oregano, salt, and a couple pinches of pepper. Stir until well blended.
- Marinate the Chicken: Toss in your bite-sized pieces of chicken, making sure they’re well-coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes.
- Skewer the Chicken: If you’re using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes. Skewer the marinated chicken pieces, leaving a little space in between.
- Grill Time: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Grill the skewers for 2-5 minutes on each side, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Serve it Up: Allow them to rest for a few minutes before serving with warm pita bread and fresh veggies.
Notes
Customize by using shrimp or veggies if low on chicken. You can also marinate the chicken the night before for easy prep.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 skewer
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 45g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
