Shish Tawook: The Chicken Kebab That Conquered the Levant and Our Taste Buds

posted on: Sep 15, 2025

By: Blanche Shaheen/Arab America Contributing Writer

You may know it as the juicy, yogurt-marinated chicken that lights up every Middle Eastern BBQ. But Shish Tawook is more than just a delicious grilled skewer, it’s a culinary passport that tells the story of cultural exchange, local adaptation, and pure flavor magic.

Let’s take a tasty journey into the origins, evolution, and irresistible appeal of this beloved dish. The word “Shish” comes from Turkish, meaning “skewer”, and “Tawook” (or tavuk) means “chicken.” So yes, Shish Tawook literally translates to “chicken on a skewer.”

It all started in the Ottoman Empire, where grilling meat over an open flame wasn’t just a method, but an art. As Ottoman culture spread across the Middle East, so did its food. The empire brought with it spices, techniques, and names that would embed themselves deeply in local traditions.

Enter: Shish Tawook — a Turkish export that took root in Lebanon, Syria, and the broader Levant, eventually becoming a staple of Levantine street food and home cooking. However, when Shish Tawook arrived in the Levant, it didn’t stay Turkish for long.

Levantine cooks embraced the dish but began tweaking the marinade using local ingredients that were abundant and beloved, like yogurt (for tenderness and tang), garlic (Lebanon’s love language), lemon juice (for brightness), olive oil (the region’s liquid gold) and paprika with a hint of cinnamon or ginger (for warmth and color).

The result? A version of Shish Tawook that’s zippier, more aromatic, and uniquely Levantine, lighter than the heavier Ottoman-style meats but still deeply satisfying. Shish tawook is special because it elevates chicken breast. Let’s face it — chicken breast can be bland, dry, and forgettable. But Shish Tawook transforms it into something juicy, tender, and craveable. The yogurt marinade acts like a gentle meat tenderizer, breaking down fibers and locking in moisture.

Shish Tawook isn’t spicy, but loaded with balanced flavor. The marinade gives a tangy, garlicky, slightly smoky profile that pairs perfectly with fresh sides like hummus, toum (garlic sauce), or tabbouleh. There are no heavy sauces or deep frying. Just lean protein, gut-friendly yogurt, and heart-healthy olive oil. This dish is the poster child for the Mediterranean diet, a dish you can feel good about eating on a Tuesday night or at a Saturday barbecue. Marinate the chicken overnight if you can for even more flavor and juicy texture. 

Today, Shish Tawook has become a global ambassador of Levantine cuisine. You’ll find it everywhere from Beirut’s street corners to fancy restaurants in Paris and Toronto, and now you can make it at home in under 30 minutes. To learn more about the history and technique of this beloved dish, click on the video below:

CHICKEN SHISH TAWOOK

Ingredients (Serves 4–6)

• 2 pounds chicken breast, cut into cubes
• ½ cup full fat Greek yogurt
• ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 6 garlic cloves, crushed (or more if you like)
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon sumac for a tangy kick)
• 1purple onion, cut into chunks
• Instructions

In a large bowl, whisk together yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, tomato paste, and spices. Add the chicken cubes, mixing well to coat. Cover and refrigerate at least 5 hours, preferably overnight. When ready to cook, soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning. Thread chicken cubes and onions onto skewers. Grill over medium-high heat for 3–4 minutes per side, until golden and fully cooked. Serve hot with toum, pita bread, hummus, and tabbouleh.

Blanche Shaheen is an Emmy Award winning  journalist, host of the YouTube cooking show called Feast in the Middle East, and cookbook author. For more authentic and classical Middle Eastern recipes, you can purchase her cookbook, “Feast In the Middle East here: https://secure.mybookorders.com/mbo_index.php?isbn=9781545675113   For her cooking video tutorials, visit https://www.youtube.com/user/blanchetv   Her recipes can also be found at https://feastinthemiddleeast.wordpress.com/

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