Shish Tawook – Tender Chicken Kebabs

Shish Tawook – Tender Chicken Kebabs

Shish Tawook are the traditional chicken kebabs eaten all over the Eastern Mediterranean, with the name coming from the old Turkish for chicken (tavuk).  Marinated in yogurt, lemon, lots of garlic & spices & then grilled, you can eat them in a sandwich with hummus & a salad, or with rice.  However you choose to eat them, these tender little skewers turn the often dull chicken breast into something that is bursting with flavour.

Serves 4

600g chicken breast, cut into 3-4cm cubes

Marinade:

200ml natural full fat yogurt

1tsp ground cumin

Juice & zest of 1 lemon

4 garlic cloves, crushed

1 tsp salt

1 tsp oregano

¼ tsp ground cardamom

½ tsp cinnamon

1 tbsp tomato puree

2tbsp oil

Mix all the marinade ingredients together in a large bowl or plastic bag, then add the chicken & rub the marinade into the meat.  Cover & refrigerate for at least 2 hours, overnight works as well.

When ready to cook, turn your grill to a medium / high heat.  Place the chicken pieces onto skewers (metal are good, if using bamboo soak then first in water) & grill ~ 10-15 cm from the heat source for 20-25 minutes, turning occasionally.  Feel free to barbeque them as well if the weather permits!

Remove from heat & let rest covered in foil for a minute or 2, then serve.