Description
Mediterranean chicken tawook bowl invites palates on a culinary journey through vibrant Lebanese cuisine. Succulent grilled skewers, fresh herbs, and zesty tzatziki create a harmonious blend that transports diners to sun-drenched coastal kitchens.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 pound (1 lb) chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/2 cup hummus
- 1/2 cup tzatziki sauce
Spices and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Bowl Components:
- 2 cups cooked couscous or quinoa
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup Kalamata olives, sliced
- Wooden or metal skewers
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the vibrant marinade by whisking together tangy yogurt, fragrant olive oil, zesty lemon juice, minced garlic, and a blend of warm spices including paprika, cumin, coriander, turmeric, salt, and pepper.
- Thoroughly coat chicken pieces in the marinade, ensuring each morsel is generously covered. Seal and allow flavors to meld in the refrigerator for a minimum of one hour, though overnight marination will yield maximum taste intensity.
- Carefully thread marinated chicken onto skewers, creating uniform pieces for even cooking.
- Heat grill or grill pan to medium-high temperature, creating ideal conditions for caramelization and char.
- Grill chicken skewers, rotating periodically to achieve golden-brown exterior and ensuring internal temperature reaches perfect doneness, approximately 3-4 minutes per side.
- While chicken grills, prepare serving bowls by creating a base of fluffy couscous or quinoa.
- Artfully arrange grilled chicken skewers atop the grain foundation, surrounding them with vibrant accompaniments: juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber slices, sharp red onion pieces, briny olives, and crumbled feta cheese.
- Enhance the bowl’s complexity by adding dollops of creamy hummus and cooling tzatziki sauce.
- Elevate the presentation by generously sprinkling fresh, chopped parsley across the bowl.
- Serve immediately, embracing the Mediterranean flavors at warm or room temperature.
Notes
- Tenderize chicken beforehand by pounding to even thickness, ensuring uniform cooking and quick marination.
- Experiment with marinade by swapping yogurt for dairy-free alternatives like coconut or almond yogurt to accommodate vegan preferences.
- Create vegetarian option by replacing chicken with grilled halloumi cheese or marinated tofu cubes for protein-packed alternative.
- Allow chicken to rest after grilling for 3-5 minutes, helping juices redistribute and maintaining maximum tenderness and flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus marination time)
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 820 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 53 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg