Shish taouk
شيش طاووق (shish tawook): garlicky yogurt-and-lemon chicken skewers grilled until charred, with toum and pickles
Walk past any grill shop in Beirut in the evening and you'll smell shish taouk: cubes of chicken soaked in yogurt, lemon, garlic and a little tomato paste, charred over coals and stuffed into thin bread with toum, pickles and chips. At home it is a weekend barbecue favourite and an easy weeknight dinner under the grill, with fattoush or hummus on the side. The yogurt tenderises the meat and the tomato paste gives the edges their red-gold char. Chef's tip: use thighs rather than breast if you can; they stay juicy even when the edges catch.
- Total time
- 35 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
For the marinade
For the skewers
To serve
Method
0/6 doneStep 1: Mix 5 ½ oz plain yogurt, 1 lemon, 4 cloves garlic, 1 tbsp tomato paste, 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp sweet paprika, 1 tsp dried oregano, ½ tsp ground allspice, 1 tsp salt and ½ tsp black pepper in a bowl.
Step 2: Stir in 1 ¾ lb boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts until every piece is coated. Cover and marinate in the fridge for at least 2 hours and up to 12. A common mistake is leaving it longer: the lemon starts to make the outside of the chicken soft and mushy.
120 minStep 3: If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes so they don't burn. Wash your hands and anything that touched the raw chicken.
Step 4: Thread the chicken onto skewers, alternating with 1 green pepper if you like, leaving a little space between pieces so the heat can reach every side.
Step 5: Heat a barbecue, griddle pan or oven grill until very hot. Cook the skewers for 10–12 minutes, turning every 3 minutes, until charred at the edges and the thickest piece reaches 165°F, with clear juices when cut.
12 minStep 6: Rest the skewers for 3 minutes, then serve with 4 tbsp toum (Lebanese garlic sauce), 1 handful pickled cucumbers and turnips and 8 crisp lettuce leaves leaves for wrapping, or with chips and warm Lebanese flatbread if you don't need it gluten free.
3 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 340 kcal
- Protein
- 42 g
- Carbs
- 6 g
- Fat
- 16 g
- Fibre
- 1 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does shish taouk take?
- About 35 minutes in total: 20 minutes to prepare and 15 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of plain yogurt?
- Sour cream or buttermilk, same amount.
- What can I use instead of lemon?
- Lime, or 2 tbsp bottled lemon juice per lemon (no zest from bottled juice).
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