Grilled Shish Taouk with Creamy Garlic Sauce
Elevate your outdoor grilling experience with this authentic Shish Taouk recipe. These succulent chicken kabobs are marinated in a rich blend of spices, garlic, and lemon juice, ensuring every bite is bursting with flavor. Paired with a creamy garlic toum sauce, this dish is perfect for summer barbecues, family gatherings, or a cozy dinner at home. Enjoy a taste of Mediterranean cuisine that will delight your family and friends. Serve with pita, rice, or a fresh salad for a wholesome meal.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
Boneless chicken breasts
1.5 lbs (Cut into chunks)
Garlic cloves
3 (Minced)
Olive oil
2 tablespoons
Lemon juice
2 tablespoons
Baharat spice
1 tablespoon
Tomato paste
2 tablespoons
Greek yogurt (plain)
1 cup
Kosher salt
1 teaspoon
Black pepper
1/2 teaspoon
Bamboo skewers
12-15 (Soaked in water for about an hour)
Vegetable oil
1/2 cup
Mayonnaise
3 tablespoons
Lemon
1/2 (Juice of)
Salt & pepper
To taste
Instructions
1
Begin by soaking the bamboo skewers in water for about an hour to prevent burning while grilling. If you have extra skewers, you can freeze them for future use.
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine minced garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, baharat spice, tomato paste, plain Greek yogurt, kosher salt, and black pepper. Mix well to create a marinade.
3
Add the chicken chunks to the marinade, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least one hour, preferably allowing it to marinate overnight for maximum flavor.
4
Once marinated, preheat your grill or broiler. Thread the marinated chicken onto the soaked bamboo skewers, leaving a little space between each piece for even cooking.
5
Grill the skewers over medium-high heat or place them under the broiler, turning occasionally, until the chicken is fully cooked through and has nice char marks, approximately 10-15 minutes depending on the size of the chicken chunks.
6
While the chicken cooks, prepare the creamy garlic toum sauce. In a mortar and pestle, grind the crushed garlic cloves with a pinch of salt until it forms a paste.
7
In a separate bowl, whisk together the garlic paste, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and slowly drizzle in the vegetable oil while continuously whisking to achieve a smooth, creamy consistency. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to your taste.
8
Serve the grilled Shish Taouk hot, accompanied by the creamy garlic sauce for dipping. Enjoy with warm pita bread, rice, or a vibrant salad.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Shish Taouk?
Shish Taouk is a popular Mediterranean dish consisting of succulent chicken kabobs marinated in a rich blend of spices, garlic, lemon juice, and yogurt.
What type of chicken should I use for Shish Taouk?
This recipe calls for 1.5 lbs of boneless chicken breasts cut into chunks for the best results.
How long should I soak the bamboo skewers?
You should soak the bamboo skewers in water for about an hour before grilling to prevent them from burning.
Can I freeze extra bamboo skewers?
Yes, if you have extra soaked skewers, you can freeze them for future use.
What are the ingredients in the marinade?
The marinade consists of minced garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, baharat spice, tomato paste, plain Greek yogurt, kosher salt, and black pepper.
How long should the chicken marinate?
The chicken should marinate for at least one hour, but for maximum flavor, it is best to leave it overnight in the refrigerator.
What is Baharat spice?
Baharat is a warm, aromatic Mediterranean spice blend often used to season meats and poultry.
How do I cook the chicken if I don't have a grill?
You can place the marinated chicken skewers under a broiler, turning occasionally until fully cooked.
How long does the chicken take to grill?
Grilling typically takes 10-15 minutes over medium-high heat, depending on the size of the chicken chunks.
How do I prepare the creamy garlic toum sauce?
Grind crushed garlic with salt in a mortar and pestle, then whisk with mayonnaise, lemon juice, and vegetable oil until smooth.
What provides the creamy base for the garlic sauce?
This specific recipe uses a combination of mayonnaise and vegetable oil to achieve its creamy consistency.
Can I use a food processor for the garlic sauce?
While the recipe suggests a mortar and pestle and whisking, a food processor can also be used to emulsify the garlic and oil.
What should I serve with Grilled Shish Taouk?
It is traditionally served with warm pita bread, rice, or a fresh vibrant salad.
How much garlic is in the chicken marinade?
The marinade uses 3 minced garlic cloves for 1.5 lbs of chicken.
Is Greek yogurt necessary for the marinade?
Yes, plain Greek yogurt helps tenderize the chicken and provides a rich coating for the spices.
How do I get char marks on the chicken?
Grill the skewers over medium-high heat and turn them occasionally to ensure even cooking and nice charring.
Should I leave space between chicken pieces on the skewer?
Yes, leaving a little space between each chicken chunk ensures that heat circulates for even cooking.
What kind of oil is used in the garlic sauce?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of vegetable oil to be drizzled slowly into the sauce.
Is this recipe suitable for a BBQ party?
Absolutely, these chicken kabobs are excellent for summer barbecues, family gatherings, and party food.
How much tomato paste is in the recipe?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of tomato paste in the chicken marinade.
How many skewers does this recipe make?
This recipe is designed to use approximately 12-15 bamboo skewers.
What is the purpose of the tomato paste?
Tomato paste adds depth of flavor and contributes to the characteristic color of Shish Taouk.
Can I substitute olive oil in the garlic sauce?
Vegetable oil is preferred for a traditional toum-style sauce because it has a neutral flavor and emulsifies well.
How much lemon juice is in the marinade?
The marinade requires 2 tablespoons of lemon juice.
Is this dish healthy?
Yes, Grilled Shish Taouk is considered a healthy recipe as it uses lean protein and fresh Mediterranean ingredients.
What tools do I need for the garlic paste?
The recipe recommends using a mortar and pestle to grind the garlic cloves and salt into a smooth paste.
How do I season the final garlic sauce?
Adjust the final seasoning of the garlic sauce with salt and pepper to your personal taste.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
While the recipe calls for breasts, boneless chicken thighs can be substituted if you prefer a juicier, higher-fat meat.
How much salt is in the marinade?
The marinade uses 1 teaspoon of kosher salt.
Can the garlic sauce be made in advance?
Yes, the garlic sauce can be prepared while the chicken is marinating or even a day ahead if kept refrigerated.