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Flavorful Chicken Shish Tawook Marinade Recipe with Creamy Garlic Sauce Easy and Perfect

chicken shish tawook marinade - featured image

A quick and easy chicken shish tawook recipe featuring a bright, tender yogurt-based marinade and a smooth, tangy creamy garlic sauce, perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast or thigh
  • 1 cup plain yogurt (Greek or regular)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 45 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground paprika
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper or chili flakes (optional)
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup Greek yogurt
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely minced or grated
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cut the boneless chicken into roughly 1.5-inch cubes, keeping pieces uniform for even cooking.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 cup plain yogurt, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 4-5 minced garlic cloves, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon ground coriander, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and a pinch of cayenne if using until smooth and aromatic.
  3. Add chicken cubes to the marinade, coat well, cover, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, ideally 4 to 6 hours or overnight.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together ½ cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup Greek yogurt, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt, and pepper. Chill until ready to serve.
  5. Preheat grill or skillet over medium-high heat. If using skewers, thread marinated chicken onto soaked wooden or metal skewers.
  6. Cook chicken on grill or skillet for 4-5 minutes per side until charred and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F). Turn carefully to retain juices.
  7. Let chicken rest for 5 minutes off heat. Serve hot with creamy garlic sauce for dipping or drizzling.

Notes

Soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes before grilling to prevent burning. Use fresh garlic for best flavor. Marinate chicken at least 1 hour for tenderness, ideally 4-6 hours or overnight. Baste chicken with leftover marinade during cooking but do not reuse marinade that touched raw chicken. Rest chicken 5 minutes after cooking to retain juices. For dairy-free options, substitute yogurt with coconut yogurt and mayonnaise with vegan mayo.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken shish tawook, garlic sauce, yogurt marinade, grilled chicken, easy dinner, creamy garlic sauce, Middle Eastern chicken