Description
Chicken Souvlaki is a classic Greek dish featuring tender, marinated chicken breast pieces grilled to perfection on skewers. Served with warm pita bread, fresh vegetables, and a refreshing homemade tzatziki sauce, this recipe offers a delightful balance of savory, tangy, and herbaceous flavors perfect for a quick and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken 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
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 combined and fragrant.
- Marinate the Chicken: Add the cut chicken breast pieces to the marinade and toss well to coat all pieces evenly. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to overnight to allow flavors to infuse.
- 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 with salt and pepper to taste. Mix thoroughly and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Preheat the Grill: Light the grill and heat it to medium-high heat to ensure perfect grilling temperature.
- Thread the Chicken: Remove wooden skewers from water and thread the marinated chicken pieces evenly onto each skewer, leaving small spaces between pieces for even cooking.
- Grill the Chicken: Place the skewers on the preheated grill. Cook for 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally to ensure even cooking on all sides, until the chicken is fully cooked through and has appealing grill marks.
- Warm the Pita Bread: While the chicken cooks, warm the pita bread on the grill or in the oven until soft and pliable.
- Serve: Arrange the grilled chicken souvlaki with warm pita bread, sliced tomatoes, sliced red onions, fresh lettuce, and a generous dollop of tzatziki sauce. Enjoy immediately for best flavor.
Notes
- Soaking the skewers in water prevents them from burning during grilling.
- Marinating the chicken overnight enhances flavor and tenderness.
- Squeeze out excess moisture from the grated cucumber to avoid watery tzatziki sauce.
- Adjust seasoning of tzatziki according to personal taste.
- Can be served with rice or salad as an alternative to pita bread.
- Ensure chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safety.
