Tavuk Şiş (Turkish Marinated Chicken Skewers)
In short: Cubes of chicken thigh marinated in yogurt, tomato paste, garlic and thyme, threaded on skewers with peppers and grilled until browned and juicy. It takes about 35 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 15 min
- Resting
- 2 h
- Total
- 35 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 390 kcal
Tavuk şiş is the everyday kebab of Turkish grill houses and backyard barbecues. Chicken cubes spend a few hours in a yogurt marinade with tomato paste, garlic and thyme, which keeps them tender and gives the edges a red-brown char. Threaded with peppers and onion, they cook in about ten minutes. Serve them with grilled tomatoes, sumac onions and a cool bowl of cacık.
Instructions
- Whisk the yogurt, oil, tomato paste, garlic, lemon juice, thyme, paprika, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Add the chicken, stir to coat, cover and marinate in the fridge for 2 to 8 hours.
- If you are using wooden skewers, soak 8 of them in water for 30 minutes.
- Thread the chicken onto the skewers, alternating with pieces of pepper and onion. Leave a little space between pieces so the heat reaches all sides.
- Heat a grill or grill pan to medium-high and oil the grate lightly.
- Grill the skewers for 10 to 12 minutes, turning every 3 minutes, until the chicken is browned at the edges and reaches 74°C (165°F).
- Rest the skewers for 3 minutes, then serve with lemon wedges and the sumac onions.
Tips
- Thighs stay juicier than breast. If you use breast meat, cut slightly larger pieces and take the skewers off the grill as soon as they reach 74°C (165°F).
- No grill? Broil the skewers on a rack over a tray, about 8 cm (3 inches) from the heat, for 12 to 14 minutes, turning halfway.
Questions and answers
How long should I marinate chicken şiş?
At least 2 hours and up to 8 hours in the fridge. Yogurt is gentle on meat, but after 24 hours the chicken can turn soft.
What do I serve with tavuk şiş?
Rice pilaf or flatbread, grilled tomatoes and peppers, a cucumber yogurt salad (cacık) and sumac onions are the usual sides.
Can I cook tavuk şiş in the oven?
Yes. Roast the skewers on a rack over a baking tray at 230°C (450°F) for 15 to 18 minutes, turning once, until the chicken reaches 74°C (165°F).
How long does it take to make Tavuk Şiş (Turkish Marinated Chicken Skewers)?
About 35 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 15 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Tavuk Şiş (Turkish Marinated Chicken Skewers)?
About 390 kcal per serving, with 42 g of protein, 8 g of carbohydrates and 21 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 390 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 42 g |
| Carbohydrates | 8 g |
| Fat | 21 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 5 g |
| Sodium | 950 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
