Description
This Chicken Souvlaki recipe features tender bite-sized pieces of marinated chicken breast grilled to perfection on skewers, served with warm pita bread and a refreshing homemade tzatziki sauce. Infused with Mediterranean flavors like oregano, thyme, lemon, and garlic, it’s a perfect dish for a quick family dinner or casual gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken Marinade and Skewers
- 2 lbs chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 4–5 wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
For the Tzatziki Sauce
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 cucumber, grated and excess liquid squeezed out
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
To Serve
- Warm pita bread
- Sliced tomatoes
- Sliced red onions
- Fresh lettuce
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, dried thyme, paprika, salt, and black pepper until well combined to create a flavorful marinade.
- Marinate the Chicken: Add the bite-sized chicken pieces to the marinade and toss to coat each piece evenly. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the chicken for at least 1 hour or up to overnight to allow the flavors to deeply infuse the meat.
- Prepare the Tzatziki Sauce: In a medium bowl, combine Greek yogurt, grated cucumber with excess liquid squeezed out, minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and chopped fresh dill. Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate the sauce until ready to serve, allowing flavors to meld.
- Preheat the Grill: Set your grill to medium-high heat ensuring it’s properly warmed before cooking to achieve nice grill marks and thorough cooking.
- Thread the Chicken: Remove the wooden skewers from soaking water and thread the marinated chicken pieces evenly onto the skewers, making sure not to crowd them for even cooking.
- Grill the Chicken: Place the chicken skewers onto the preheated grill. Cook for 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally to brown all sides evenly and cook through completely. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Warm the Pita Bread: While the chicken is finishing, warm the pita bread on the grill or in the oven until soft and pliable, perfect for wrapping.
- Serve: Serve the grilled chicken skewers with warm pita bread, fresh sliced tomatoes, sliced red onions, crisp lettuce, and a generous dollop of the prepared tzatziki sauce for a delicious and authentic meal.
Notes
- Soaking wooden skewers prevents them from burning on the grill.
- Marinate chicken overnight for the best flavor and tenderness.
- Grated cucumber should be well-drained to avoid watery tzatziki.
- Check chicken internal temperature to ensure it’s fully cooked.
- Fresh dill in tzatziki adds a bright and aromatic touch.
- This recipe is perfect for summer grilling but can also be cooked under a broiler if needed.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Greek
