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    Shish Tawook (Turkish Chicken Kebab)

    April 6, 2021 by Ayla Clulee 14 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Shish Tawook (Turkish Chicken Kebab) is a popular Turkish dish made of chicken pieces marinated in olive oil, milk, tomato & pepper paste, and aromatic spices. Although these tender and juicy Chicken Shish Kebabs are originally from Turkey, they are also quite common in Middle Eastern or Balkan countries.

    Shish tawook (Turkish chicken kebab)
    Chicken shish kebab served with rice pilaf
    Jump to:
    • Why This Recipe Works?
    • Ingredients and Substitutes
    • How to Make Shish Tawook (Turkish Chicken Kebab)?
    • Related Recipes
    • Top Tip From the Chef
    • Shish Tawook (Turkish Chicken Shish Kebab)

    This authentic Shish Tawook/Turkish Chicken Shish Kebab (or Kabob) dish is almost on every restaurant's menu in Turkey. It is also popular in Western countries as takeaway food and is usually wrapped in a flatbread with some garlicky yoghurt sauce. I promise they taste just as good, if not much better! 

    chicken Shish Kebab served with salad
    Shish Tawook (Turkish Chicken kebabs/kabobs) cooked on BBQ and served on homemade pita bread

    Why This Recipe Works?

    • They are absolutely delicious and very easy to make at home with my simple recipe.
    • Perfect for entertaining your dinner guests, you can prep them a few days ahead and cook them on the day.
    • It's a healthy and delicious dish with a minimum of prep time.
    • They are freezer-friendly, you can keep them in the freezer for up to 3 months.

    Ingredients and Substitutes

    Ingredients for shish tawook Turkish ish chicken kebab
    • Chicken - I prefer using skinless & boneless chicken thighs for kebabs but chicken breast works perfectly too. You can also use frozen chicken if that's what you have in hand. Make sure you defrost them overnight before marinating them.
    • Olive oil - I use cooking olive oil instead of extra virgin olive oil for the marinade. It adds flavour to the meat and keeps it moist.
    • Tomato paste - It is the staple of Turkish cooking. It adds an umami flavour to the dishes as well as a bright red colour. You can find it in Turkish or Middle Eastern shops or buy online from Amazon .
    • Red pepper paste - Turkish red pepper paste is a rich, delicious paste made with juicy, spicy red peppers and I use it quite often with my Turkish recipes. You can buy it from Turkish or Middle Eastern shops or online from Amazon.
    • Milk - I use semi-skimmed or full-fat milk. Milk helps the chicken get tender&melt in the mouth. Many recipes include yoghurt for the marinade. I prefer milk instead as yoghurt tends to burn quickly.
    • Spices - Adjust the amount to your taste.
    • Vegetables - Onions, peppers and tomatoes are typically used for kebabs but you can use any other vegetables you fancy, such as chillies, mushrooms or aubergines.

    How to Make Shish Tawook (Turkish Chicken Kebab)?

    Making Chicken Shish Kebabs at home is surprisingly easy. However, there are a few simple steps to follow for you to achieve the best results:

    Marinate the Chicken

    There are many recipes for chicken shish kebab marinade and most of them use yoghurt. I prefer using milk instead as it gives a softer texture and better taste to the meat. To prepare the marinade, mix milk, tomato paste, olive oil, salt and spices in a bowl.

    place all the ingredients for the marinade in a bowl
    mix well until all combined

    and then add the chicken. Nicely combine until all chicken pieces are covered with marinade then cover the bowl. Let the chicken marinate overnight or for a minimum of 2 hours. Don't let them marinate for more than 24 hours as the acid in the marinade will destroy the texture of the meat.

    add the chicken pieces into the bowl with the Marinade
    stir until all chicken pieces are covered with marinade

    Thread the Chicken Pieces and Veggies Onto Skewers 

    When the chicken is marinated and you are ready to cook, start preparing the vegetables. Firstly, peel the onion and then cut it into chunky cubes similar size of the chicken. Secondly, wash the tomatoes and cut them into wedges, or use whole cherry tomatoes.

    And then cut the Turkish chilli peppers into 4 pieces. If you are using bell peppers, cut them into chunky cubes similar size to chicken. Thread the chicken and vegetables onto metal kebab skewers. If you want to use bamboo skewers, soak them in the water beforehand for 30 minutes so that they don't burn.

    tread the chicken and vegetables into a skewer
    chicken Shish Kebabs threaded on skewers

    Cook the Chicken Kebabs

    The best way to cook shish tawook is by grilling them on the BBQ. Alternatively, you can use your oven grill to cook them. When cooking on the BBQ, make sure the grill is properly hot before you place the chicken shish kebabs on them. Cook for 12-14 minutes or the core temperature reaches 74 °C.

    If you want to use the oven, preheat the oven grill to 210 °C. Place them on a tin foil-lined tray and then cook for 15 minutes or the core temperature reaches 74 °C. The cooking time may vary on the size of the chicken cubes and the heat of your BBQ/oven. Make sure you keep a good eye on them to prevent burning.

    chicken shish recipe

    Related Recipes

    For more delicious chicken recipes why not try:

    • Chicken and Chorizo Pasta
    • Dutch Oven Roast Chicken
    • Spicy Chicken Wings
    • Rice Stuffed Chicken
    • Chicken Stir Fry Noodles
    • Easy Chicken Stock (Bone Broth)
    • Salt and Pepper Chicken
    • Chicken Liver Pâté
    • Perde Pilavi
    • Tavuk Sote (Turkish Chicken Sauté)
    • Bamya - Turkish Okra Stew
    Which parts of the chicken should I use for chicken shish tawook?

    Use boneless and skinless chicken breast or thigh for shish kebabs. You can also use a mixture of both if you want to enjoy two different textures at the same time.

    Why marinate the chicken?

    Marinating the chicken prevents the meat from drying out and making it chewy. It also helps to tenderize the chicken, makes it juicier, and reduces the time of cooking.

    What to serve with Chicken Shish Tawook?

    The best way to serve these homemade Chicken Shish Kebabs is to serve them with Pita Bread, our classic Turkish Rice Pilaf, and some pickled gherkins. Other alternatives are Bulgur Pilaf, Lentil and Bulgur Pilaf (Mercimekli Bulgur Pilavi), Bazlama (Turkish Flatbread), Tomato and Walnut Salad (Gavurdagi Salatasi), Mediterranean Whipped Feta Dip or Authentic Hummus.

    Is Tawook Shish Kebab healthy?

    Yes, tawook shish kebab is a healthy dish as they are grilled meat and usually served with some salad and pita bread.

    Top Tip From the Chef

    Use the same marinade for marinating chicken wings or whole chicken. This marinade is perfect for any part of the chicken!

    I hope you enjoy the process of making these delicious and healthy Turkish Chicken Shish Kebabs as much as you enjoy eating them! 🙂

    Bon appétit! / Afiyet Olsun!

    shish tawook served on pita bread with salad and yoghurt

    Shish Tawook (Turkish Chicken Shish Kebab)

    These delicious, juicy, and tender chicken kebabs are very easy to prepare and perfect for entertaining dinner guests.
    5 from 13 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Total Time 25 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Turkish
    Servings 4 people
    Calories 173 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 Kabob Skewers
    • 1 Kitchen Digital Scale
    • 1 sharp knife
    • 1 6-Piece Plastic Measuring Cups
    • 1 Measuring Spoons

    Ingredients
     
     

    Marinade for the Chicken

    • ¼ cup olive oil (60 ml)
    • ¼ cup milk (full fat or semi-skimmed)
    • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
    • 1 tablespoon red pepper paste (optional, could be replaced with tomato paste)
    • ½ teaspoon chili flakes (adjust to your taste)
    • ½ teaspoon paprika
    • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon salt

    Chicken Shish

    • 4 pieces boneless and skinless chicken breast (approximately 800 grams) (or equivalent amount of chicken thigh)
    • 1 onion (red or white)
    • 2-3 green Turkish chilies (or 1 large green bell pepper)
    • 2 medium tomatoes (or 6 cherry tomatoes)

    Instructions
     

    • Cut the chicken into chunky cubes size of 4-5 cm.
    • Place the olive oil, milk, tomato paste, red pepper paste (if using), chili flakes, paprika, freshly ground black pepper, and salt in a bowl and whisk until combined.
    • Add the chicken pieces into the bowl and give it a toss until all the chicken pieces are covered with the marinade.
    • Cover the bowl, place in the fridge, and let the chicken marinate for a minimum of 2 hours or preferably overnight.
    • Peel the onion and cut into chunky cubes similar size to chicken.
    • Wash the tomatoes and cut them into wedges.
    • Cut the Turkish chili peppers into 4 or if using bell peppers, cut them into chunky cubes similar size to chicken.
    • Thread the chicken and vegetables onto metal or soaked bamboo kebab skewers.
    • Cook the kebabs on the BBQ for 12-14 minutes or in the 210 °C preheated oven-grill for 15 minutes, until the core temperature reaches 74 °C.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 173kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 2gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 632mgPotassium: 379mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 922IUVitamin C: 61mgCalcium: 40mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword Chicken Recipes, Traditional Turkish Recipes, Turkish Kebab
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    FOOD SAFETY

    • Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
    • Don’t leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
    • Never leave cooking food unattended
    • Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
    • Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

    See more guidelines at USDA.gov.

    This post use affiliate links. This means that if you click on them and then buy something, we get a small amount of commission to keep the site running, but it doesn’t cost you anything more.

    Did you make this recipe?

    Please let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and tag @cookingorgeous on Instagram and hashtag it #cookingorgeous.

    « Turkish Rice (Sehriyeli Pilav)
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Ayla

      August 03, 2021 at 3:21 pm

      5 stars
      Amazingly delicious

      Reply
    2. Brian

      March 19, 2022 at 3:02 pm

      5 stars
      They tasted better than restaurant kebabs! Such a great recipe 👍🏻

      Reply
      • Ayla Clulee

        March 21, 2022 at 6:09 am

        Thank you Brian, I am so glad you liked them.
        Best wishes
        Ayla

        Reply
    3. Jo

      March 23, 2022 at 5:22 am

      5 stars
      This recipe is so simple and so tasty. Perfect for the upcoming BBQ season.

      Reply
    4. Moustapha

      March 24, 2022 at 6:24 am

      5 stars
      This was delicious, and had excellent instructions.

      Reply
    5. Cathy

      March 25, 2022 at 5:34 am

      5 stars
      Wonderful flavours. I’ll definitely be able to make the same recipe for for my family at the next opportunity!

      Reply
    6. Diya

      March 26, 2022 at 3:47 am

      5 stars
      I really enjoyed this kebabs! The chicken was so juicy and tender. Thanks for the awesome recipe!

      Reply
    7. Liam

      March 27, 2022 at 4:13 am

      5 stars
      Perfect recipe for BBQ season coming up! I made this a couple of times in the oven, still delicious. Can't wait to try them on the BBQ.

      Reply
    8. Hanna

      April 02, 2022 at 4:43 am

      5 stars
      They tasted so good, these kebabs will be on our menu often!

      Reply
    9. Dani

      April 18, 2022 at 6:02 am

      5 stars
      Delicious!! I made this recipe and oh man, perfectly moist chicken skewers. Thank you for sharing!!

      Reply
    10. Rana

      April 23, 2022 at 5:20 am

      5 stars
      Thanks so much for your lovely easy recipe. I doubled up on the ingredients for my family. Cooked it in the oven and served it up with a platter of cuscus and salad. Devoured in minutes requesting same for tomorrows dinner. Thank you.

      Reply
    11. Cara

      April 24, 2022 at 5:18 am

      5 stars
      Made this for the first time and it was fantastic. I had 10 skinless, boneless chicken thighs so I doubled the recipe. This was straight up delicious, and had excellent instructions.

      Reply
    12. Gail

      April 29, 2022 at 4:44 am

      5 stars
      The marinade on this chicken is perfect. Spicy and delicious!

      Reply
    13. Chris

      May 02, 2022 at 5:12 am

      5 stars
      Delicious!!! Even my wife and kids loved it! Very easy to make!!

      Reply

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    Hi! Thank you for visiting Cooking Gorgeous. My name is Ayla, and I’m a professional chef based in the UK. The kitchen is my happy place and cooking is my therapy. To me, food is more than ingredients and nutrition; it is a language of love, a way of expressing compassion.

    In Turkish culture, food is at the centre of every gathering: religious holidays, birthdays, celebrations, funerals and the list goes on. So, probably like many others, I love food. And not just the food itself, but also the process of preparing the food fascinated me from a very young age. 

    More about me →

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