Authentic Lebanese Shish Tawook with Creamy Garlic Toum
Succulent cubes of chicken breast marinated in Greek yogurt, garlic, lemon, tomato paste, and warm Levantine spices, flame-grilled to perfection and served with cloud-like Lebanese garlic Toum and warm flatbread.
Ingredients
Shish Tawook Marinade
- 800g boneless chicken breasts, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- Juice of 1 large lemon & 1 tbsp white vinegar
- 6 cloves garlic, grated
- 1.5 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp sweet paprika & 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger & 1/4 tsp ground cardamom
- 1 tsp dried oregano, sea salt, and black pepper
Traditional Lebanese Toum (Garlic Sauce)
- 1 cup fresh peeled garlic cloves
- 3 cups neutral oil (canola, sunflower, or avocado)
- 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1.5 tsp sea salt & 2 tbsp ice water
Serving
- Lebanese pita flatbreads
- Pickled wild cucumbers (khiyar mkhallal) & pink pickled turnips
- Charred tomatoes and green chili peppers
Instructions
Marinate the Chicken
Whisk together yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar, grated garlic, tomato paste, paprika, cumin, ginger, cardamom, oregano, salt, and pepper. Coat chicken cubes thoroughly and refrigerate for at least 4 hours (or overnight).
Whip the Cloud-Like Toum
In a food processor, pulse garlic and salt until finely minced. With the motor running, slowly alternate drizzling a thin stream of oil and small splashes of lemon juice until a fluffy, snowy-white emulsion forms.
Skewer the Chicken
Thread the marinated chicken cubes onto wooden or stainless steel skewers, alternating with red bell pepper or onion pieces if desired.
Flame-Grill to Juicy Perfection
Grill skewers over high heat for 12-14 minutes, turning regularly until beautifully charred on the outside and tender and juicy inside (75°C / 165°F).
Wrap & Serve
Spread a generous layer of garlic Toum on warm Lebanese flatbread, add grilled Shish Tawook skewers, french fries, and pickled turnips, roll tightly, and enjoy.
Nutrition Facts
* Based on a 2,000 calorie diet.