Description
Immerse yourself in the exquisite flavors of this quick and easy Air Fryer Shish Tawook tonight. This straightforward recipe guides you through crafting succulent marinated chicken skewers that capture the essence of Turkish cuisine. Combining authentic taste with modern air frying convenience, bring Mediterranean tradition to your dinner table.
Ingredients
3 lbs of Boneless skinless chicken breast
1/2 Cup of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/2 Cup of Plain Greek Yogurt
1/4 Cup of Lemon juice (Or Juice of one Lemon)
1 Teaspoon of Lemon Zest (Or Zest from one Lemon – Optional)
2 Tablespoons of Tomato paste
1 Tablespoon of Minced Garlic (2-3 cloves)
1 Tablespoon of Dried Parsley
1 Tablespoon of Dried Oregano
1 Tablespoon of White Sugar
1/2 Tablespoon of Ground Cumin
2 Teaspoons of Sea Salt
1 Teaspoon of Garlic Powder
1 Teaspoon of Onion Powder
1 Teaspoon of Aleppo Pepper (Optional)
1/2 Teaspoon of Ground Black pepper
1/2 Teaspoon of Smoked Paprika
1/2 Teaspoon of Ground Cardamom
1/2 Teaspoon of Ground Ginger
1/4 Teaspoon of Ground Coriander
1/4 Teaspoon of Ground Cinnamon
1/4 Teaspoon of Ground Nutmeg
1/4 Teaspoon of Ground Cloves
Instructions
Step One – Craft the Shish Tawook Marinade:
In a large bowl, combine Olive oil, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, zest, and all the spices. Give it a good whisk until everything is nicely mixed together.
Step Two – Prep and Slice the Chicken:
Unpack the chicken breasts and give them a quick rinse under cold water. Gently pat them dry using clean paper towels. Slice the chicken lengthwise and then dice it into 1-inch thick cubes. Next, mix the chicken cubes with the marinade. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place the bowl in the refrigerator. Let the flavors meld together for at least 6 hours or, at best, overnight.
Step Three – Get Those Skewers Ready:
Soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes to an hour before air frying. Once they are done soaking, take out the marinated chicken from the fridge and thread them onto the skewers. Make sure not to pack them too tightly and leave a little room between each piece for even cooking.
Step Four: Air Frying Your Chicken Skewers:
Option 1: Smart Oven Air Frying
For this type of air fryer, start by lining a baking sheet with foil for easy cleaning. Place a metal rack on top and give it a quick spritz of cooking spray to prevent sticking. Arrange your skewers with space between them for even cooking. Cook at 400°F/200°C for about 30 minutes or until the meat reaches an internal temperature of 165°F/74°C.
Option 2: Standard Air Fryer
With a regular air fryer, line the basket with foil for a breeze in cleanup. A spritz of cooking oil prevents sticking. Place your marinated chicken cubes directly in the basket without skewers, ensuring they’re not overcrowded for proper air circulation. For this recipe’s quantity, you should cook in batches. Set your air fryer to 400°F/200°C. Cook for 15 minutes, flip each piece for even browning, then another 10 minutes or until the internal temperature hits 165°F/74°C.
Notes
Whether you’re aiming for a skewered presentation or not, you have options. You can trim your skewer to fit the air fryer basket or thread the chicken cubes to the skewers after air frying. Rest assured, the flavor remains equally delightful either way.
Slice chicken into uniform 1-inch cubes, leaving space when threading onto skewers for even cooking.
Aim for 6 hours of marination, or better yet, overnight, letting yogurt, lemon juice, and spices work their flavorful wonders.
Give a quick spray to prevent sticking, try a metal rack for toaster oven-style air fryers, and use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.
- Prep Time: 390 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Entree
- Method: Air-Frying
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keywords: Middle Eastern cuisine, Air fryer recipe, Air fryer chicken breast, wraps, sandwiches, rice platter, rice bowl, Entree, Baba Ganoush, entree, Mediterranean dish. Skewers, mezze platter, summer poolside dinner
