Description
Chicken souvlaki from Greece comes alive with zesty lemon, garlic, and oregano that make your taste buds dance. Marinating meat in this simple blend guarantees tender, flavorful results perfect for grilling or roasting.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Liquid and Acidic Ingredients:
- ¼ cup olive oil
- Juice of 2 lemons
- Zest of 1 lemon
Herbs and Seasonings:
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Garnish:
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- 1–2 lemons, sliced
Instructions
- Grab a medium bowl and vigorously whisk ¼ cup olive oil, juice from 2 lemons, lemon zest, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 tsp salt, and ½ tsp black pepper until thoroughly blended.
- Transfer 1.5 lbs chicken breasts into a large zip-top bag and pour your freshly whisked marinade over them. Ensure every inch of chicken gets coated generously. Seal and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, though overnight delivers deeper flavor profiles.
- Crank your grill to 400°F and let it preheat for 10 minutes. Remove chicken from marinade, discarding remaining liquid. Place chicken directly on grill grates.
- Grill chicken for 6-8 minutes per side, watching carefully to prevent burning. Use a meat thermometer to confirm internal temperature hits exactly 165°F.
- When chicken reaches perfect temperature, transfer to a clean cutting board. Allow meat to rest undisturbed for 5 minutes to redistribute internal juices.
- Slice chicken against the grain into even strips. Scatter fresh chopped parsley across the top and arrange grilled lemon slices around the platter for a vibrant presentation.
Notes
- Marinate the chicken for at least 2 hours, but overnight is best to let the flavors deeply penetrate the meat and make it incredibly tender.
- Discard the used marinade to prevent bacterial contamination, and always use fresh marinade or cook the marinade separately if you want to use it as a sauce.
- Check the chicken’s internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 165°F, which guarantees safe and perfectly cooked chicken without drying it out.
- For a gluten-free option, verify that all marinade ingredients are certified gluten-free, and serve with alternative sides like quinoa or roasted vegetables instead of traditional accompaniments.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 237 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 582 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg