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Lebanese Shish Tawook Chicken

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LIZ DELLA CROCE

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Shish Tawook chicken, a traditional Lebanese dish, becomes juicy and tender from a simple marinade of fresh lemon juice and garlic. The perfect healthy, low carb chicken dinner recipe.

Forkful of Lebanese shish tawook chicken.

If I could eat one food every single day for the rest of my life, it would be Lebanese food, without a doubt. Shish Tawook Chicken (also spelled shish taouk), a native dish of Lebanon and Syria, is marinated chicken breasts that are typically grilled on skewers. It’s delicious with Lebanese Rice Pilaf, a big Syrian Salad, wrapped in pita with a side of Traditional Hummus. You can even make it with shrimp in the air fryer! Since we live in Michigan where the grill is covered in snow 75% of the year, for most of the year we sauté the chicken in a pan with a little olive oil. I’ve also broiled the chicken in the oven which works well, too.

Why You’ll Love this Shish Tawook Chicken

  • It uses only 5 simple ingredients, that you likely already have!
  • A great lean source of protein that the whole family will like.
  • Tastes great on its own, but is great in salads or wraps in pita bread. Easy meal prep!

Ingredients

  • Chicken breasts: Large, moist, and meaty part of the chicken that is easily accessible and affordable. Chicken thighs would work as well.
  • Lemon juice: Bright and acidic, it works as a great natural tenderizer for meat.
  • Lemon zest: Fresh, intense citrus flavor without any of the bitterness.
  • Garlic: Nutty, earthy, and strong flavor that pairs well with lemon.
  • Olive oil: A great addition to any marinade to add volume to help coat the chicken.

How to Make Shish Tawook Chicken

Step 1. Start your Shish Tawook Chicken by using a microplane to freshly grate your garlic into a large bowl.

Step 2. Drizzle in some olive oil.

Step 3. Use a zester or microplane to freshly zest one lemon into the mix.

Step 4. Once the lemon has been zested, juice it and add it to the bowl.

Add in some salt and pepper for taste, then give it a little whisk.

Step 5. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 6. Once the marinade is made, take your chicken breast and cut them into cubes.

Step 7. Add your cubed chicken to the bowl, and stir until evenly coated in the marinade. Let sit in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.

Step 8. When ready to cook, preheat a large skillet over medium high heat and add a bit of olive oil. Add the chicken along with any remaining juices, and cook until golden browned.

Lebanese shish tawook chicken.

Serve your Lebanese Shish Tawook Chicken garnished with fresh parsley, and enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between chicken shawarma and chicken tawook?

The biggest difference is that chicken shawarma uses warmer spices, and usually more of them than chicken tawook.

Is shish tawook healthy?

It’s relatively low in calories and fat, making it a great healthy recipe to add to your dinner rotation.

How do you store leftover tawook chicken?

Kept in an airtight container in the fridge, leftovers will keep for up to 4 days.

More Lebanese Recipes

Eat It, Like It, Share it!

Did you try this recipe and love it? The next time you make it, snap a picture and share it to your socials! Tag @thelemonbowl and #thelemonbowl so we can admire and share your meal.

Liz eating Lebanese shish tawook chicken.

If you need some inspiration, leftover Shish Tawook Chicken tastes delicious wrapped in a pita with cucumber laban and hummus. Let me know how you like it in the comments!

Your fork is waiting.

Shish Tawook Chicken

4.79 stars average
Shish tawook, a traditional Lebanese dish, becomes juicy and tender from a simple marinade of fresh lemon juice and garlic.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 7 minutes
Total Time 17 minutes
Serves4
CourseMain Dish
Calories160

Ingredients
 
 

  • 20 ounces boneless skinless chicken breasts – cut in cubes
  • 1 juice and zest of lemon
  • 2 cloves garlic grated
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • fresh parsley to serve

Instructions
 

  1. Place chicken breasts cubes in a glass bowl or large resealable plastic bag.
    20 ounces boneless
  2. Add lemon juice, zest, grated garlic, salt and pepper to the chicken toss until chicken is evenly coated with marinade. Refrigerate for 20 minutes or up to overnight.
    1 juice and zest of lemon, 2 cloves garlic, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  3. Heat pan over medium-high heat and add olive oil. Add chicken to the pan along with all of the marinade. Sauté chicken, stirring frequently, until lightly browned, about 5-7 minutes.
    1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  4. Serve with fresh minced parsley on top.
    fresh parsley to serve

Nutrition

Calories: 160kcalCarbohydrates: 1.5gProtein: 28.8gFat: 5.3gSaturated Fat: 0.4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4.9gCholesterol: 75mgSodium: 869mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 0.4g

Have you tried this?

Let us know how it was!

4.79 from 46 votes (29 ratings without comment)

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84 responses to “Lebanese Shish Tawook Chicken”

  1. julia Avatar
    julia

    My favorite—pinning!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Yay I knew you’d like this one!

  2. ashley - bakerbynature Avatar
    ashley – bakerbynature

    Uh YUM! I’m coming over for dinner like, SOON!!! xo

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Will you bring me some olive oil gelato for dessert? :)

  3. Alyssa (Everyday Maven) Avatar
    Alyssa (Everyday Maven)

    Love how simple this is and full of flavor!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Simple is the name of the game!

  4. Polly @ Tasty Food Project Avatar
    Polly @ Tasty Food Project

    I love how this recipe is so simple and easy! I normally have all of these ingredients stocked up so I will pin this recipe for later. Thanks for sharing!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Yes this is always my backup plan too – I always have the ingredients on hand!

  5. Amanda Avatar
    Amanda

    This looks awesome!!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      See, I don’t just make smoothies!

      1. Amanda Avatar
        Amanda

        Well da. You make chicken and smoothies. Now if you post something like a chilled mint cucumber soup my mind would REALLY be blown.

  6. Caroline@Pickledplum Avatar
    Caroline@Pickledplum

    So simple yet so delicious and healthy! I will marinade it overnight to get maximum flavor, thanks!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Let me know what you think Caroline!!

  7. Christie - Food Done Light Avatar
    Christie – Food Done Light

    I love the flavor in this dish. My husband will absolutely adore it. I need to make it for him ASAP.

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      It is one of my husband’s favorites!

  8. Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough Avatar
    Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough

    I had no idea lemon tenderized meat! The more you know… ;)

    Anywho, this chicken? Yeahhhh, I need it in my life like yesterday.

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Yes girl!!! I’ll swap you marinade tricks for baking tips – haha.

  9. KalynsKitchen Avatar
    KalynsKitchen

    My kind of food, this sounds wonderful.

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      You would love this Kalyn!! Low carb and SO tasty. xo

  10. Renee @ Bendiful Blog Avatar
    Renee @ Bendiful Blog

    Ohhh this looks like the perfect dinner dish for tonight!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Let me know what you think Renee!!