Lebanese Chicken (Tawook) - Easy and Delicious

This tasty dish is a variant of Shish Tawook (also Taouk), a grilled chicken dish that is very popular in Lebanon, Turkey, Syria, Iraq, the Palestinian territories, and Israel. Perhaps the most popular version is grilled on skewers. In fact, the name comes from the Turkish words for "skewer" and "chicken."

The version I used is not grilled, but sauteed. It also has the fewest ingredients. If you search the Internet for "chicken tawook." You will find other versions with more ingredients.

It is extremely easy to prepare. It can be served over rice, with vegetables, with yogurt - cucumber sauce, in pita bread, etc. We served it alongside stuffed grape leaves, and with  yogurt sauce and tabbouleh salad.

I found this recipe on the Lemon Bowl, a very interesting healthy food and lifestyle blog. The author is of Middle Eastern descent.  a http://thelemonbowl.com/2014/08/lebanese-chicken-tawook.html  I highly recommend checking out the Lemon Bowl.

The recipe below is the original recipe, which serves 4. I tripled it for a family gathering. 

Ingredients

- 20 ounces of boneless, skinless chicken breasts - cut into cubes
- juice and zest of one lemon
- 2 garlic cloves - grated
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- fresh parsley to serve

Directions

1. Place chicken breast cubes in a glass bowl or large resealable plastic bag. (I used a bowl.)

2. Add lemon juice, zest, garlic, salt, and pepper to the chicken and toss until chicken is evenly coated with marinade. Refrigerate for 20 minutes or up to overnight. (I left it to marinate overnight.)

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.

4. Serve with fresh minced parsley.