Description
Grilled Chicken Souvlaki is a delicious and easy-to-make Greek-inspired dish perfect for a weeknight dinner. Tender, marinated chicken pieces are threaded on skewers and grilled to juicy perfection, served with refreshing homemade tzatziki, warm pita bread, and fresh vegetables. This flavorful meal blends zesty lemon, garlic, and oregano for an authentic Mediterranean taste.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken Marinade
- 1 pound Boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1” pieces
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt, adjust to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon Freshly ground black pepper
- 3 tablespoons Extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 each Juice of 1 lemon
- 6 cloves Garlic, smashed
- 1 tablespoon Dried oregano
For the Tzatziki Sauce
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt (whole fat preferred)
- 1/3 cup Finely chopped cucumber
- 1/2 each Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1 clove Garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Freshly chopped dill
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 pinch Red pepper flakes (optional)
To Serve
- 4 pieces Pita bread, warmed
- 1 cup Thinly sliced tomatoes
- 2 cups Chopped romaine lettuce
Instructions
- Prepare the marinade: In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, juice of one lemon, smashed garlic, dried oregano, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Mix well to combine all the flavors.
- Marinate the chicken: Add the chicken breast pieces to the marinade bowl, stirring to make sure they are all well coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 24 hours for more intense flavor.
- Make the tzatziki sauce: While the chicken marinates, combine Greek yogurt, finely chopped cucumber, minced garlic, freshly chopped dill, juice of half a lemon, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir thoroughly and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Prepare skewers: If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning on the grill.
- Thread chicken on skewers: Remove chicken from the marinade and evenly thread onto the skewers, leaving small spaces between pieces for even cooking.
- Preheat and grill: Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Place the chicken skewers on the grill and cook for about 6 minutes per side, or until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Assemble and serve: Warm the pita bread. Serve the grilled chicken in the warm pita, topped with chilled tzatziki sauce, sliced tomatoes, and chopped romaine lettuce for a fresh, satisfying meal.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken longer (up to 24 hours) will enhance the flavor and tenderness.
- Soaking wooden skewers is essential to prevent them from burning on the grill.
- Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the chicken is fully cooked.
- Tzatziki can be made a day in advance to develop deeper flavors.
- For a spicier kick, add extra red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne to the marinade or tzatziki.
