Description
Chicken Souvlaki wraps tender marinated chicken in a flavor-packed Greek tradition that brings Mediterranean sunshine right to your dinner plate. Grilling these skewers creates a simple yet delicious meal your family will absolutely devour with warm pita and creamy tzatziki.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Marinade Ingredients:
- ½ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- 4 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Tzatziki Sauce Ingredients:
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- ½ cucumber
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill
- Salt
- Pepper
Serving Ingredients:
- Wooden or metal skewers
- Pita bread
- Red onion
- Tomato
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Whisk ½ cup olive oil, ¼ cup lemon juice, 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 tablespoons dried oregano, 1 tablespoon dried thyme, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes in a large bowl to create a vibrant marinade.
- Drop 2 pounds of chicken breast cubes into the marinade. Massage each cube thoroughly until completely coated.
- Seal the marinating chicken in a plastic container or resealable bag. Refrigerate for 2-8 hours to allow deep flavor penetration.
- Grate ½ cucumber using a box grater. Squeeze out excess moisture using a clean kitchen towel until nearly dry.
- Mix 1 cup Greek yogurt, the squeezed cucumber, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 tablespoon olive oil, and 1 tablespoon chopped dill in a bowl.
- Sprinkle salt and pepper into the tzatziki. Stir until ingredients blend smoothly. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Heat your grill to 400°F. Ensure grates are lightly oiled to prevent sticking.
- Slide marinated chicken cubes onto pre-soaked wooden or metal skewers. Space pieces evenly for consistent cooking.
- Arrange skewers on the hot grill. Cook for 10-12 minutes, rotating every 3-4 minutes to create even char marks.
- Check chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165°F using a meat thermometer. Remove skewers when fully cooked.
- Allow grilled chicken to rest for 3-4 minutes before serving. This helps retain juicy tenderness.
- Warm pita bread. Layer chicken from skewers onto bread. Top with tzatziki, red onion slices, and tomato.
- Serve immediately with fresh lemon wedges for squeezing over the souvlaki.
Notes
- Marinate the chicken for at least 2 hours, but overnight delivers maximum flavor depth and tenderness.
- Squeeze cucumber thoroughly when making tzatziki to prevent watery sauce and ensure a thick, creamy consistency.
- Use metal or soaked wooden skewers to prevent burning and ensure even chicken cooking on the grill.
- For a gluten-free version, serve the chicken and tzatziki over a fresh Greek salad instead of pita bread.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-12 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 408 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 375 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg