Shish Taouk

Name: Shish Taouk
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Lebanon
Ingredients: 2 lbs boneless chicken breast, cubed; 1/2 cup plain yogurt; 2 tbsp tomato paste; 3 tbsp lemon juice; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 tsp paprika; 1/2 tsp ground allspice; Salt and pepper, to taste; Garlic toum, for serving

4 servings20 min prep15 min cookEasy Lebanon

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The Story Behind It

The Tale of Shish Taouk

Story updated September 17, 2026

This garlic-and-yogurt marinated grilled chicken skewer developed within the broader Levantine and Ottoman grilling tradition; "taouk" means chicken in Turkish, hinting at the Ottoman-era exchange that shaped the region's cuisine. It's now a staple across Lebanese, Syrian, and wider Middle Eastern menus.

Ingredients

Scale:· 4 servings

2 lbs boneless chicken breast, cubed
1/2 cup plain yogurt
2 tbsp tomato paste
3 tbsp lemon juice
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp ground allspice
Salt and pepper, to taste
Garlic toum, for serving

Instructions

1Whisk together yogurt, tomato paste, lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, paprika, allspice, salt, and pepper.
2Add the chicken cubes and marinate for at least 2 hours, or overnight.
3Thread the chicken onto skewers.
4Grill over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until charred and cooked through, about 12-15 minutes.
5Serve hot with garlic toum, pita bread, and grilled vegetables.

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