Jake Harper
Chicken shawarma and chicken tawook are both popular Middle Eastern dishes. They are made with similar ingredients and loaded with Middle Eastern flavours, but there are some key differences. Chicken tawook is a quicker recipe than shawarma and is always grilled on skewers, whereas shawarma is traditionally slow-roasted on a vertical rotisserie. The name tawook comes from the Turkish word for chicken skewer. Chicken shawarma is made with thinly cut marinated thighs and/or breasts that are layered together on a large rotisserie, whereas chicken tawook is made with chicken breast pieces that are individually skewered. Chicken tawook is marinated in a tangy yoghurt-based sauce with lemon, garlic, tomato paste, and spices, while chicken shawarma skips the yoghurt and tomato paste, relying on olive oil, citrus, onions, garlic, and a longer list of warm spices such as cumin, coriander, and cayenne.
Differences between Chicken Shawarma and Chicken Tawook
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meat | Chicken shawarma can be made with any type of meat, including chicken thighs, boneless skinless chicken breasts, beef, or lamb. Chicken tawook is generally made with chicken breast pieces. |
| Marinade | Chicken shawarma is marinated in olive oil, citrus, onions, garlic, and a variety of spices. Chicken tawook is marinated in yogurt, lemon, garlic, tomato paste, and spices. |
| Spices | Chicken shawarma uses warm spices like cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, turmeric, cumin, coriander, and cayenne. Chicken tawook uses paprika, oregano, thyme, cinnamon, parsley, allspice, ginger, and black pepper. |
| Preparation | Chicken shawarma is traditionally cooked on a vertical rotisserie, with the meat being cut off as it cooks. Chicken tawook is grilled on skewers. |
| Serving | Chicken shawarma is served thinly sliced in warm pita bread or flatbread with vegetables or fries. Chicken tawook is served with toum, hummus, and tabbouleh, and can be wrapped in pita bread. |
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What You'll Learn
- Marinade: Chicken shawarma uses warm spices, while shish tawook uses a yoghurt base
- Cooking method: Shawarma is slow-roasted on a vertical rotisserie, while shish tawook is grilled on skewers
- Cut of chicken: Tawook uses chicken breast pieces, while shawarma uses thighs or breasts
- Serving: Shawarma is shaved off the rotisserie, served in bread or with rice. Tawook is served in pita or with salad
- Origin: Shawarma is a popular Middle Eastern street food. Tawook originates from Lebanon
Marinade: Chicken shawarma uses warm spices, while shish tawook uses a yoghurt base
Chicken shawarma and shish tawook are both Middle Eastern dishes with distinct flavours and cooking methods. The key difference between the two lies in the marinade used, with chicken shawarma employing warm spices and shish tawook opting for a yoghurt base.
Chicken Shawarma's Warm Spices
Chicken shawarma uses a variety of warm spices such as cumin, cardamom, nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, turmeric, coriander, and cayenne. These spices add heat and depth of flavour to the dish. The meat is typically marinated in a mixture of olive oil, citrus juices, onions, garlic, and these warm spices. This combination of ingredients infuses the meat with a unique flavour.
Shish Tawook's Yoghurt Marinade
On the other hand, shish tawook employs a yoghurt-based marinade, which includes lemon juice, garlic, and a variety of warm spices. The yoghurt not only adds a tangy flavour but also helps to tenderise the meat, ensuring it is juicy and falls apart easily. The specific spices used in shish tawook can vary but often include oregano, allspice, ginger, paprika, cinnamon, and black pepper.
The yoghurt marinade in shish tawook not only enhances the flavour but also improves the texture of the meat. The acids in the yoghurt, particularly lactic acid, help to break down the proteins in the chicken, making it exceptionally tender. This allows the meat to withstand longer marination times without becoming tough or rubbery, resulting in a more intense flavour.
While both dishes share some common spices, the absence of yoghurt and lemon in chicken shawarma gives it a different flavour profile. The warm spices in shawarma create a slightly spicier and bolder taste, while the yoghurt marinade in shish tawook provides a lighter, tangier, and more balanced flavour.
In summary, the main distinction between chicken shawarma and shish tawook lies in their marinade choices. Chicken shawarma favours warm spices, creating a spicier profile, while shish tawook opts for a yoghurt base, resulting in a tangy, tender, and flavourful dish.
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Cooking method: Shawarma is slow-roasted on a vertical rotisserie, while shish tawook is grilled on skewers
While both chicken shawarma and chicken tawook are delicious examples of Middle Eastern cuisine, they differ in their cooking methods. Chicken shawarma is cooked on a vertical rotisserie, while chicken tawook is grilled on skewers.
Chicken shawarma is traditionally prepared on a large, vertical rotating cone, or spit, that slowly cooks the meat. The chef cuts off slices of meat as it rotates, infusing fat and flavour into every bite. This method of cooking is known as "turning" in Ottoman, which is where the name "shawarma" comes from. While it can be challenging to replicate this cooking method at home, an alternative approach is to layer the pieces of meat in a loaf pan and cook them in their own juices. This results in juicy, flavourful meat that is then thinly sliced and served on warm pita bread or flatbread.
On the other hand, chicken tawook, also known as shish tawook, is prepared on skewers. The word "shish" in Turkish means "skewer", so the name of this dish directly translates to "chicken skewers". The marinated chicken is threaded onto metal or pre-soaked wooden skewers and grilled to perfection. This cooking method results in juicy, tender meat that can be served in a variety of ways, such as wrapped in pita bread or with other Lebanese condiments and dishes.
The difference in cooking methods between chicken shawarma and chicken tawook contributes to the unique flavours and textures of each dish. While chicken shawarma is slow-roasted and shaved off the rotisserie, chicken tawook is grilled to a golden colour on skewers, resulting in two distinct Middle Eastern delicacies.
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Cut of chicken: Tawook uses chicken breast pieces, while shawarma uses thighs or breasts
Chicken tawook and chicken shawarma are two popular Middle Eastern dishes with distinct differences. One of the key distinctions between these two dishes lies in the cut of chicken used.
Chicken tawook typically uses chicken breast pieces. The preparation involves cutting the boneless, skinless chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces or uniform 2-inch portions. These chicken breast pieces are then skewered and grilled to perfection, resulting in juicy and tender meat.
On the other hand, chicken shawarma offers versatility in the choice of chicken cuts. It can be made with chicken thighs or breasts, depending on your preference. The chicken is thinly sliced and marinated with a unique blend of spices. The meat is then layered together on a large rotisserie and grilled slowly, allowing the flavours to infuse.
The difference in the cut of chicken and preparation methods contributes to the distinct characteristics of these dishes. Chicken tawook, with its chicken breast pieces, is individually skewered and grilled, resulting in a quick and convenient option. Chicken shawarma, on the other hand, with its combination of chicken thighs or breasts, is slowly roasted on a vertical rotisserie, creating a flavoursome and succulent meal.
While the cut of chicken is an essential aspect, it is worth noting that the marinade and spices also play a significant role in distinguishing chicken tawook from chicken shawarma. The interplay between the cut of meat and the chosen marinade enhances the unique qualities of each dish.
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Serving: Shawarma is shaved off the rotisserie, served in bread or with rice. Tawook is served in pita or with salad
Serving these two Middle Eastern dishes differs in a few ways. Chicken shawarma is traditionally served by shaving meat off a vertical rotisserie spit and adding it to sandwiches, rice, or other sides. It is often served in warm pita bread or flatbread with toppings like cucumber, lettuce, tomato, and fries. It can also be served with cauliflower rice or high-protein Kaizen rice for a low-carb option.
Chicken tawook, on the other hand, is typically served in pita bread, with the option of adding baked pita chips or regular pita served on the side. It can also be served with a bright salad and creamy hummus for a healthier meal. Shish tawook is also sometimes served with toum (a garlic sauce), and tabbouleh.
Chicken shawarma is often served as a sandwich or wrap, while chicken tawook is more often served as skewers, with the option of being wrapped in pita bread.
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Origin: Shawarma is a popular Middle Eastern street food. Tawook originates from Lebanon
Shawarma is a popular Middle Eastern street food. It can be made with any type of meat, but chicken shawarma is one of the most popular varieties. The meat is thinly sliced and prepared with a variety of spices, including cinnamon, allspice, and turmeric. It is traditionally cooked on a vertical rotisserie, with slices of meat being cut off as it cooks. It is often served in warm pita bread or flatbread with toppings such as cucumber, lettuce, tomato, and fries.
Chicken shawarma gets its unique flavor from warm spices like cumin, cardamom, and nutmeg, with extra pepper for heat. It is typically marinated in olive oil, onions, garlic, and citrus, and does not include yoghurt or tomato paste.
Tawook, on the other hand, originates from Lebanon. It is a type of chicken skewer, with the name translating directly as "chicken skewers". It is a popular dish throughout the Middle East and internationally. The chicken is prepared with a yoghurt-based marinade, infused with lemon, garlic, and a variety of spices such as paprika, cinnamon, and oregano. The dish is then grilled on skewers, creating a quick and flavorful meal.
The key differences between shawarma and tawook lie in their preparation and ingredients. Shawarma is slow-roasted on a vertical spit, while tawook is grilled on skewers. Shawarma uses a wider variety of spices and does not include yoghurt, while tawook's distinctive flavor comes from its tangy yoghurt marinade.
Both dishes are examples of delicious Middle Eastern cuisine, with their own unique flavors and preparation methods.
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Frequently asked questions
Chicken shawarma is a popular Middle Eastern dish made with thinly sliced meat that has been prepared with a variety of spices. It is typically served in warm pita bread or flatbread with toppings such as cucumber, lettuce, tomato, and fries.
Chicken tawook, also known as shish tawook, is a Lebanese dish of marinated chicken breasts that are grilled on skewers. It is often served with pita bread, hummus, and tabbouleh.
Chicken shawarma is traditionally made with thinly cut marinated chicken thighs and/or breasts that are layered together on a large rotisserie and grilled. Chicken tawook, on the other hand, is generally made with chicken breast pieces that are individually skewered and grilled.
Chicken shawarma uses a variety of spices, including cumin, cardamom, nutmeg, coriander, cayenne, and turmeric, and relies on olive oil and citrus for its base. It does not use yogurt or tomato paste in the marinade. Chicken tawook uses a yogurt-based marinade infused with lemon, garlic, and spices such as oregano, allspice, cinnamon, and ginger, along with tomato paste.
Chicken tawook is generally considered to be quicker and less time-consuming to prepare than chicken shawarma. It is important to grill chicken tawook rather than bake it to ensure the meat remains juicy and flavorful.
