Who could resist these beautifully grilled cubes of chicken known as Lebanese Shish Taouk? Marinated in yogurt, lemon juice, tomato puree, loads of garlic and exotic spices, this is one excellent chicken shish taouk recipe.
I am one month away from my 11th blog anniversary. So this is always a fun time to look at the blog’s stats and see which recipes are the most popular. Well, believe it or not, this Lebanese Shish Taouk recipe has been the number one #1 winner for at least two years every time I check. 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 (but check out the rest of the blog too haha).
Let’s Explore Lebanon
The Republic of Lebanon is a small Middle Eastern country and its capital is trendy Beirut. The country dips its coast along the beautiful Mediterranean Sea and Lebanon shares borders with Syria and Israel. Lebanon is a country with a long and rich history. Phoenician, Egyptian, Roman, Umayyad, Crusader, 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. There is a pita shack almost everywhere. But there is much more to Lebanese cuisine. It includes an abundance of starches, whole grain, fruits, vegetables, fresh fish, and seafood. Lebanese chicken recipes are enjoyed occasionally, as are Lebanese kebab lamb and goat recipes. Grilled marinated seafood and skewered meats often make up the main meal as well.
Did you know that the word ‘kebab’ does not mean skewered automatically? Turns out kebab is any kind of meat dish, from the skewered meat to the patty to the one in a stew.
Looking for more Lebanese recipes, check out the highly rated Julie Taboulie’s Lebanese Kitchen cookbook.
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Most often Lebanese food recipes are either grilled, baked or sautéed in olive oil. They also include copious amounts of garlic, lemon juice, herbs, and spices, like most Arabic food recipes. 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 sweets include baklava, Kaak, Sfouf, Muhallabieh, sumptuous fruit cocktails, oriental flavored ice creams and Maamoul. Arak, an anise-flavored liqueur, is the Lebanese national alcoholic drink and is usually served with the traditional convivial Lebanese meals.
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Lebanese Shish Taouk
Shish Taouk is one of the best know Middle Eastern chicken recipes around. And even if the name has actually Turkish roots, you can find it in most Arabic countries like the Persians Jujeh Kabob. But for most people, Shish Tawook chicken skewers are synonymous with Lebanese restaurants, often served as a chicken shish wrap.
And it is no surprise we have incorporated these delicious grilled meat skewers into our diet because they are a type of BBQ. I think we all like BBQ a lot, right?
But what is shish taouk specifically? It is charcoal grilled cubes of marinated chicken. The Lebanese chicken marinade includes in yogurt, lemon juice, tomato puree, loads of garlic and exotic spices. I did include a healthy dose of sumac as well. My Lebanese Shish Taouk recipe (also known as chicken shish tawook recipe, or Lebanese chicken skewers recipe, or chicken shish kebab recipe) is adapted from Hungry Foodies recipe.
I always get the chicken taouk plate when I got 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 Lebanese Shish Taouk 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 tangy and full of garlic. Hence, the finished chicken skewers have much more depth to their flavor. I am amazed at how well this chicken shish kabob recipe turned out at home, it may be even one of the best shish taouk recipe I ever tasted.
Lebanese Shish Taouk - Chicken Skewers
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 mato 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.
PIN IT FOR LATER! https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/266275396703467023
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!
Thank you!
Made these tonight. It started snowing so I cooked them in the air fryer. Luscious. Lebanese rice and fatouche salad. I love Lebanese food!
Thank you Elaine for the rave review. I hope this dish helped to ignore the wintery scene outside.
How many pounds is 2 chicken breasts?
It really depends on the size of the breast, but approx 3 boneless breasts to 1 pound.
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!
Oh seriously, awesome! I expect feedback! Have a great dinner!
I’ve never cooked Lebanese food. Not sure why. Your chicken looks awesome and a looks like a great place to start exploring this cuisine. Thanks!
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 🙂
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!
Awwwww YYYEESSS but only if we have salmon at one meal and Lebanese at the next, every day!
These kabobs look delicious! I’m going to save this recipe to try this summer when we break out the grill!
Thank you Tami, they are wonderful especially right on the bb indeed, finally, it is getting warmer!
Such a terrific marinade! Perfect timing as it’s finally feeling like grilling season has arrived!
Thank you Liz AND you don’t need a kitchen to grill 😀
Evelyne, Umayyad is a family surname, if I read this correctly (https://www.britannica.com/topic/Umayyad-dynasty-Islamic-history).
Yes, well a ruling dynasty, so in this case considered one of the ‘tribes’ to have ruled these parts.
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”. ☺️
Thank you Sys and yes I should do more country info like I did before. So what is Umayyad again?
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.
Thank you so much, John, and here is to a long-lived favorite! It really is flavor packed!
Lebanese!!!! I CRAVE THIS CUISINE!! Shawarma and I are BESTIES!!! 😀 😀 😀
Looks scrumptious! I love kebabs!
What delicious kebabs! I’m so glad grilling season will be upon us soon!
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! 😀
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.
I am totally drooling here and this dish is exactly what I would love to have right now!
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!
I obviously need to get some sumac asap. I definitely can’t resist this!
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.
God… look at that!!! I wish I could grab that across and enjoy them right away!
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
I love, love, love Lebanese food. This looks delicious!!
We looove chicken skewers at our home.. so delish and your look divine.
Simply damn delicious spicy chicken skewer !!!
I don’t think I’ve ever eaten Lebanese food, but this looks amazing.
Kay of Pure & Complex
http://www.houseofkts.com/
I have to try that marinade soon. This looks scrumptious!
Wow these chicken skewers sound and look delicious…so flavorful! I love it! Thanks for sharing the recipe Evelyne…
Have a wonderful week ahead 🙂
I love the marinade, Evelyne! This dish sounds terrific!