Description
Greek Chicken Souvlaki is a vibrant Mediterranean dish featuring tender chicken marinated in lemon, garlic, and herbs, grilled to juicy perfection and served with a cool, creamy tzatziki sauce made from Greek yogurt and cucumber. This recipe brings bold, fresh flavors and easy grilling techniques perfect for a quick yet flavorful meal.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken Souvlaki:
- 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1–2 inch cubes
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
For the Tzatziki Sauce:
- 1 cup Greek yogurt (full-fat preferred)
- 1/2 cucumber, finely grated and excess liquid squeezed out
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped (or 1 tsp dried dill)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl, mix olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken cubes and toss until fully coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, preferably 2–4 hours, to allow the flavors to meld and the meat to tenderize.
- Make the Tzatziki Sauce: In a medium bowl, combine Greek yogurt, grated cucumber (with excess liquid squeezed out), olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, and fresh dill. Stir until smooth and well blended. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Chill the sauce in the refrigerator while cooking the chicken to enhance flavors.
- Cook the Chicken: Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Thread the marinated chicken onto skewers, soaking wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes beforehand to prevent burning. Grill the chicken for 5–6 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) and the chicken is lightly charred on the outside. Alternatively, pan-fry the chicken cubes in a little olive oil over medium heat until cooked through.
- Serve & Enjoy: Remove the chicken from the skewers and sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley if desired. Serve alongside the chilled tzatziki sauce, either for dipping or drizzling. Pair with warm pita bread, Greek salad, or your preferred sides for a complete Mediterranean meal.
Notes
- Use boneless skinless chicken thighs for juicier and more flavorful souvlaki compared to breasts.
- Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes before threading chicken to prevent burning during grilling.
- Preheat the grill thoroughly and avoid overcrowding the skewers to achieve nice char grill marks.
- For a twist on traditional tzatziki, add fresh mint or a splash of red wine vinegar.
- Serve with pita bread, Greek salad, roasted vegetables, fries, or over mixed greens or grain bowls.
