Grilled Chicken Shish Tawook Wrap – recipe is a celebration of flavours and textures, combining succulent, marinated chicken with fresh, crisp vegetables and aromatic herbs, all wrapped in a soft pita bread for a delightful, satisfying, and nutritious meal.
The chicken is marinated in a rich blend of Greek yogurt, olive oil, tomato paste, and a medley of spices, including paprika, oregano, and a special Arabic spice mix, infusing the chicken with depth and warmth. The addition of lemon juice and garlic adds a zesty, pungent kick, tenderising the chicken to perfection. Grilled alongside sweet bell peppers and onions, the chicken becomes irresistibly charred and flavorful.
Accompanying this wrap is a simple yet vibrant tomato salad, bursting with the freshness of cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and a sprinkle of sumac, adding a tangy, lemony flair. Wrapped in a brown pita with a smear of garlicky toum and peppery rocket leaves, each bite offers a symphony of flavours, from the smoky, spiced chicken to the fresh, zesty salad.
DIABETIC-FRIENDLY ASPECTS
Great protein source: This recipe offers a great lean protein content with grilled chicken and tahini, which can support metabolism and help manage blood sugar levels by slowing the digestion, preventing spikes.
Fiber-Rich Salad: The cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, parsley, and mint in the salad are rich in fiber, which can help regulate blood sugar levels.
Healthy Fats in Olive Oil: The olive oil provides healthy fats, which can improve insulin sensitivity, delay digestion, and help regulate glucose levels.
THYROID-FRIENDLY ASPECTS
Selenium-Rich Chicken: Chicken is a good source of selenium, important for thyroid function and hormone production.
Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Ingredients: The garlic, ginger, and olive oil in this recipe have anti-inflammatory properties, which can benefit thyroid health. Especially ginger has a very strong antioxidant capacity.
Low Goitrogenic Ingredients: This recipe is low in goitrogens, substances that can interfere with thyroid function, supporting thyroid health.
BALANCED MACRONUTRIENT PROFILE
Calories: Approximately 400 kcal per serving.
Protein: Each serving delivers around 30g of protein.
Carbohydrates: With approximately 30g of carbohydrates per serving.
Fat: The wrap contains about 20g of fats per serving.
Ingredients and Health Benefits of Grilled Chicken Shish Tawook Wrap
Marinade:
Chicken: Chicken breasts or thighs are the main protein of the dish, providing a lean and flavourful base. Cubing the chicken allows for quick and even cooking on skewers.
Greek Yogurt: Greek yoghurt serves as a tenderising agent in the marinade, ensuring the chicken remains juicy and moist during grilling. Its creamy texture also adds richness to the marinade.
Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil contributes richness and helps to distribute flavours evenly throughout the marinade. It also aids in preventing the chicken from sticking to the grill.
Tomato Paste: Tomato paste adds depth of flavour and a subtle sweetness to the marinade, enhancing the overall taste of the chicken.
Lemon Juice: Lemon juice provides acidity, which not only tenderises the chicken but also adds brightness and freshness to the marinade.
Garlic and Ginger: Minced garlic and ginger infuse the marinade with aromatic and pungent flavours, enhancing the complexity of the dish.
Spices (Paprika, Oregano, Arabic Spice Mix, Chili Pepper): These spices add layers of flavour and complexity to the marinade, imparting warmth, depth, and a hint of spice to the chicken.
Salt and Black Pepper: Essential for seasoning the chicken and balancing the flavours of the marinade.
Veggies to Grill:
Red Bell Peppers and Red Onions: These vegetables add colour, sweetness, and texture to the skewers, complementing the savoury chicken with their caramelised flavours when grilled.
Simple Tomato Salad:
Cherry Tomatoes and Cucumbers: Offer a juicy, refreshing contrast to the rich kofta.
Fresh Herbs (Mint, Parsley, Zaatar): Provide a burst of freshness and a link to traditional Middle Eastern flavours.
Sumac: Adds a tangy, lemony flavour that’s uniquely Middle Eastern.
Olive Oil and Lemon Juice: Serve as the base for the dressing, adding richness and acidity to brighten the salad.
Wrap:
Tahini Sauce: Tahini sauce provides a creamy, nutty element to the wrap, balancing the flavours of the grilled chicken and vegetables.
Rocket Leaves: Also known as arugula, rocket leaves add a peppery bite and a fresh, green element to the wrap, enhancing its overall texture and flavour.
Brown Pita Bread: Serving as the vessel for the wrap, brown pita bread provides a soft, slightly chewy base that holds the flavourful ingredients together.
Preparation Tips for Grilled Chicken Shish Tawook Wrap
- Marinating Time: For best results, marinate the chicken for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavours to develop and tenderise the meat.
- Skewering: Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes before threading them with the marinated chicken and vegetables to prevent burning on the grill.
Serving Tips for Grilled Chicken Shish Tawook Wrap
- Assembly: Layer the grilled chicken, vegetables, tahini sauce, and rocket leaves on the pita bread before rolling it into a wrap for easy handling.
- Garnishes: Sprinkle chopped parsley or cilantro over the wrap for a fresh burst of flavour before serving.
storage tips
Leftovers: Store any leftover grilled chicken, vegetables, and tahini sauce separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating: Reheat the chicken and vegetables in a skillet or microwave until heated through before assembling the wrap. Warm the pita bread slightly before serving for the best texture.
Grilled Chicken Shish Tawook Wrap
Ingredients
Marinade
- 1 kg skinless, boneless chicken breast or thighs, cubed
- ½ cup Greek yoghurt, 2
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp ginger, minced
- 2 tsp garlic, minced
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp Arabic spiced mix
- ½ tsp chilli pepper, (optional)
- 2 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
Veggies to Grill
- 2 red bell peppers, cut into large cubes
- 4 red onions, cut into large cubes
Simple Tomato Salad
- 1 red onion, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 tsp sumac
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 3 cucumbers, diced
- handful parsley, roughly chopped
- handful mint, roughly chopped
- salt and pepper, to taste
Wrap
- homemade garlic toum
- rocket leaves
- brown pita bread
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients for the marinade: Greek yogurt, olive oil, tomato paste, lemon juice, minced ginger, minced garlic, paprika, dried oregano, Arabic spice mix, chilli pepper (if using), salt, and black pepper. Mix everything until well combined.
- Add the cubed chicken to the marinade mixture, ensuring that each piece is well coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight for the best flavor.
- Soak skewers for 30 minutes in water to prevent them from burning. Thread the marinated chicken cubes onto skewers, alternating with the sliced bell peppers and red onions.
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Grill the chicken skewers for about 12-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and has a nice charred appearance.
- While the chicken is grilling, prepare the simple tomato salad. In a small bowl, prepare the dressing by combining the sliced onions, olive oil, lemon juice, sumac, and season with salt and pepper. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, chopped parsley, and mint. Pour the onion dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.
- Once the chicken skewers are done, remove them from the grill.
- Serve the grilled chicken shish tawook on a pita bread with a handful of rocket leaves, alongside a generous serving of cucumber and tomato salad, and homemade garlic toum. Enjoy your delicious meal!
Did you make this recipe?
Tag @cookingwithzahra on Instagram and hashtag it #cookingwithzahra so we can see all the deliciousness!
