Description
This Chicken Souvlaki recipe features tender, marinated grilled chicken skewers served with warm pita bread and a refreshing homemade tzatziki sauce. A perfect Greek-inspired meal ready in just over an hour, ideal for a flavorful and satisfying dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken Souvlaki Marinade
- 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 to create a flavorful marinade.
- Marinate the Chicken: Add the bite-sized chicken pieces to the marinade, tossing them thoroughly to coat each piece evenly. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or for best flavor, marinate overnight.
- Make the Tzatziki Sauce: In a medium bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, grated cucumber with excess liquid squeezed out, minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and chopped dill. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover and refrigerate until serving.
- Prepare the Grill and Skewers: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto the soaked wooden skewers, distributing them evenly to ensure uniform cooking.
- Grill the Chicken: Place the chicken skewers on the grill, cooking for 10-12 minutes. Turn occasionally to achieve even cooking and nice grill marks, ensuring the chicken is fully cooked through.
- Serve: Warm the pita bread on the grill or in an oven. Assemble the dish by placing the grilled chicken on pita bread alongside sliced tomatoes, red onions, fresh lettuce, and a generous dollop of the homemade tzatziki sauce. Enjoy your authentic chicken souvlaki!
Notes
- Soaking wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes prevents them from burning on the grill.
- For extra tender chicken, marinate overnight if possible.
- If you don’t have a grill, chicken can be cooked on a grill pan or under a broiler, adjusting times accordingly.
- Make sure to squeeze out excess moisture from cucumber to avoid watery tzatziki sauce.
- Serve with additional lemon wedges for extra zest.
