Lebanese Grilled Chicken with Toum is a bold, fragrant, and irresistibly flavorful Middle Eastern dish known for its aromatic spices and iconic creamy garlic sauce. The chicken is marinated in a mixture of warm spices, olive oil, citrus, and yogurt, then grilled until tender and slightly charred.

Served with pillowy pita, fresh herbs, and the famous Lebanese toum—a fluffy, sharp garlic sauce—it creates a beautiful balance of tangy, smoky, savory, and creamy elements.

Why I Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because it delivers big flavor without complexity. The marinade is quick to prepare, and the grilling process infuses the chicken with smoky depth while keeping it moist and juicy. The star, toum, elevates everything—it’s garlicky, airy, and incredibly addictive. A small dollop transforms the entire plate.

It’s also versatile: enjoy it in wraps, salad bowls, mezze platters, or with rice. Every bite feels fresh, aromatic, and satisfying.

Why It’s a Must-Try Dish

Aromatic and Bold Flavors – Warm Middle Eastern spices make each bite unforgettable.
Healthy and Balanced – Full of lean protein, olive oil, herbs, and garlic.
Restaurant-Quality at Home – You’ll feel like you’re eating at a Lebanese grill house.
Customizable – Pair with pita, salad, rice, or grilled vegetables.

Time + Servings + Nutrition

Feature	Details
Prep Time	20 minutes (plus 2–24 hours marinating time)
Cook Time	15–20 minutes
Total Time	35–40 minutes + marination
Servings	4 servings
Calories	~480 per serving (with toum and pita)
Course	Main Course
Cuisine	Middle Eastern / Lebanese

Ingredients

For the Grilled Chicken

1.5 lbs (700g) boneless chicken thighs (or breasts)
3 tbsp olive oil
3 tbsp lemon juice
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/3 cup plain yogurt
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp coriander
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp turmeric
½ tsp cinnamon
½ tsp sumac (optional but recommended)
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper

For Toum (Garlic Sauce)

1 cup neutral oil (sunflower or canola)
6–8 large garlic cloves, peeled
1–2 tbsp lemon juice
¼ tsp salt
2–3 tbsp ice-cold water

Optional Serving Additions

Warm pita bread
Pickles
Cucumber slices
Sliced onions
Fresh parsley or mint
Lebanese rice

Directions

Step-by-Step: Chicken

Mix Marinade:
In a bowl, combine olive oil, lemon juice, yogurt, garlic, spices, salt, and pepper.
Marinate Chicken:
Add chicken and coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate 2 hours to overnight.
Preheat Grill or Pan:
Heat to medium-high.
Cook Chicken:
Grill 6–8 minutes per side until golden and cooked through (internal temp 165°F / 74°C).
Rest and Slice:
Let rest 5 minutes before slicing.

Step-by-Step: Toum

Blend Garlic & Salt:
Add garlic and salt to a blender or food processor; pulse until finely pasty.
Add Oil and Lemon Gradually:
With machine running, slowly drizzle a little oil, then a little lemon juice, alternating until thick and fluffy.
Adjust Consistency:
Add 1–2 tbsp ice water if needed until creamy and smooth.

How to Serve

Serve grilled chicken warm with:

Pita wraps
Salad bowls
Rice platters
Roasted vegetables

Drizzle toum generously or serve on the side.

Recipe Tips

Marinate longer for deeper flavor—overnight is ideal.
Use chicken thighs for juicier results.
Add oil slowly when making toum to avoid separating.
Rest the chicken before slicing to keep juices in.

Variations

Version	Change
Spicy Shawarma Style	Add chili flakes or harissa to marinade
Low-Carb Bowl	Serve over greens instead of pita
Charcoal Grill Version	Add smoky mesquite or charcoal flavor
Yogurt-Free Toum	Traditional version already dairy-free

Freezing & Storage

Item	Storage
Cooked Chicken	Refrigerate 4 days, freeze up to 3 months
Marinated Raw Chicken	Freeze up to 2 months
Toum	Refrigerate up to 3–4 weeks (airtight jar)

Special Equipment

Grill or grill pan
Food processor or blender (for toum)
Meat thermometer (optional but helpful)

FAQ

Q: Can I make this without grilling?
Yes — bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20–25 minutes or pan-sear.

Q: My toum split — what do I do?
Blend with 1 ice cube or another spoon of cold water slowly.

Q: Can I make a milder garlic sauce?
Yes — reduce garlic or roast cloves before blending for a softer flavor.

Conclusion

Lebanese Grilled Chicken with Toum is a celebration of flavor—bright, smoky, garlicky, and deeply satisfying. Whether enjoyed in a wrap or alongside rice and vegetables, it feels luxurious while still being simple to make. With its bold spices and creamy garlic sauce, this dish delivers an unforgettable culinary experience that belongs in every home cook’s rotation.