Description
Greek Chicken Souvlaki is a vibrant, healthy dish featuring marinated chicken skewers grilled to juicy perfection. Infused with classic Mediterranean flavors like lemon, garlic, and oregano, these skewers are perfect for a light main course or as part of a Greek-inspired meal, often served with pita, fresh veggies, and tzatziki sauce.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Chicken Souvlaki:
- 1.5 lbs (about 700g) boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
For Serving:
- Pita bread, warmed
- Sliced red onion
- Diced tomatoes
- Sliced cucumber
- Lemon wedges
- Tzatziki sauce
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. This flavorful blend will infuse your chicken with classic Greek taste.
- Marinate the Chicken: Add the chicken cubes to the bowl and toss to coat well in the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or up to 4 hours for the best flavor). Allowing the chicken to marinate enhances its tenderness and taste.
- Soak the Skewers: If using wooden or bamboo skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning during grilling.
- Thread the Chicken: Remove chicken from the marinade and thread the pieces onto skewers, leaving a little space between chunks to ensure even cooking.
- Preheat the Grill: Preheat your grill (or grill pan) to medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking.
- Grill the Souvlaki: Place the skewers on the grill and cook for 10–12 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is beautifully charred and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Serve: Slide the souvlaki off the skewers and serve with warm pita, fresh vegetables, lemon wedges, and generous spoonfuls of tzatziki sauce for an authentic touch.
Notes
- For extra flavor, use a mix of chicken breast and thighs.
- This recipe also works well with pork or shrimp as protein alternatives.
- You can broil the skewers in the oven if you don’t have a grill.
- Marinate for at least 1 hour, but for deeper flavor, go up to 4 hours.
- Serve alongside a traditional Greek salad for a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe (about 2 skewers)
- Calories: 295
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 630mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 37g
- Cholesterol: 118mg
