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Juicy Homemade Shish Tawook with Creamy Tzatziki

Tender chicken cubes marinated in lemon, garlic, and mild pepper paste, threaded with colorful vegetables, and cooked until charred. Served with a cool, creamy Greek-style yogurt sauce that balances every bite.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 320 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 | Large mixing bowl | for marinating
  • 1 | Whisk |
  • 8-10 | Skewers | wooden or metal
  • 1 | Non-stick pan or grill | or oven with broiler
  • 1 | Fine mesh strainer | for draining yogurt and cucumber
  • 1 | Grater | for cucumber
  • 1 | Tongs | for turning skewers

Ingredients
  

  • 1 | kg | chicken breast | cubed
  • 1/4 | cup | olive oil |
  • 3 | | lemons | juiced
  • 1 | tbsp | salt |
  • 1 | tsp | black pepper |
  • 1 | tbsp | ground coriander |
  • 1 | tsp | ground cumin |
  • 1 | tsp | paprika |
  • 8 | | garlic cloves | minced
  • 1.5 | tbsp | mild red pepper paste |
  • 1 | | white onion | cut into chunks
  • 1 | | red bell pepper | cut into chunks
  • 1 | | yellow bell pepper | cut into chunks
  • 1 | | green bell pepper | cut into chunks
  • 2 | cups | plain yogurt | drained
  • 1 | | cucumber | grated and drained
  • 1 | | lemon | juiced
  • 1 | tbsp | white vinegar |
  • 2 | tbsp | olive oil |
  • 1 | handful | fresh dill | chopped

Instructions
 

  • Cube the chicken into even medium pieces and pat dry.
  • Whisk olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, spices, garlic, and red pepper paste into a marinade.
  • Coat the chicken thoroughly and marinate at least 1 hour.
  • Cut onion and bell peppers into similar-sized chunks.
  • Thread chicken and vegetables alternately onto skewers.
  • Cook on hot pan, under broiler, or on grill, basting and turning until charred and cooked through.
  • Drain grated cucumber and yogurt, then mix with lemon juice, vinegar, olive oil, and dill.
  • Rest the skewers briefly and serve hot with the cool tzatziki.

Notes

Marinate overnight for maximum flavor and tenderness.
Store cooked chicken and sauce separately in the fridge up to 3 days.
Wooden skewers should be soaked 30 minutes before use to prevent burning.
Mild red pepper paste can be swapped with tomato paste if unavailable.