Easy Chicken Souvlaki Recipe- Authentic Greek Flavor

Chicken souvlaki is an absolute crowd-pleaser, a taste of the Mediterranean that’s vibrant, fresh, and utterly delicious. There’s something inherently satisfying about perfectly grilled skewers, imbued with the zesty embrace of lemon, garlic, and oregano. It’s a dish that evokes sun-drenched days and lively gatherings, making it a perfect centerpiece for your next barbecue or casual dinner. People adore chicken souvlaki not just for its incredible flavor, but also for its versatility – it’s fantastic served in pitas with tzatziki, alongside a Greek salad, or simply enjoyed on its own. What truly elevates homemade chicken souvlaki is the marination process, allowing those aromatic Greek herbs and spices to work their magic, tenderizing the chicken and infusing it with an unforgettable taste. Get ready to impress your friends and family with this classic, easy-to-follow recipe.

Chicken Souvlaki Recipe

There’s something incredibly satisfying about a perfectly marinated and grilled piece of chicken, especially when it’s bursting with fresh, zesty flavors. Chicken souvlaki is a classic Greek dish that embodies this delicious simplicity. Tender, juicy chicken pieces, infused with a vibrant marinade, are grilled to perfection, creating a dish that’s both healthy and incredibly flavorful. Whether you’re serving it as a main course with a fresh Greek salad, tucking it into warm pita bread for a quick and delicious meal, or even skewering it for a backyard barbecue, this chicken souvlaki recipe is sure to become a favorite. The beauty of souvlaki lies in its ease of preparation and the explosion of taste it delivers. Let’s get started on creating this delightful Greek delight right in your own kitchen!

Ingredients:

Instructions:

1. Preparing the Chicken and Marinade: The first crucial step to incredibly flavorful chicken souvlaki is the marinade. Begin extract by preparing your chicken. Trim any excess fat from the chicken breasts. You have a couple of options here: you can either cut the chicken into roughly 1-inch cubes, which is ideal for threading onto skewers, or you can leave the breasts whole and grill them that way, slicing them before serving. For this recipe, we’ll assume you’re cubing the chicken for skewers. Place the cubed chicken into a large bowl or a resealable plastic bag. Now, let’s make that glorious marinade. In a separate bowl, whisk together the canola or olive oil, white grape juice vinegar, and the fresh juice from your lemons. If your lemons aren’t very juicy, don’t hesitate to use three. This zesty citrus base is key to tenderizing the chicken and imparting that signature Greek tang. Next, add the smashed garlic cloves. Smashed garlic releases more of its pungent flavor than minced garlic in marinades. Then, stir in the fresh minced dill weed and parsley. Fresh herbs make a world of difference in the brightness and aroma of the marinade. Finally, add the dried oregano, coarse salt, and black pepper. Give everything a good whisk until well combined.

2. Marinating the Chicken: Pour the prepared marinade over the cubed chicken. Ensure that every piece of chicken is thoroughly coated with the marinade. If you’re using a bowl, gently toss the chicken to distribute the marinade evenly. If you’re using a resealable bag, seal it tightly and give it a good shake. The longer the chicken marinates, the more deeply infused with flavor it will become. We recommend marinating for at least 30 minutes, but for an even more intense flavor and tender texture, let it marinate for 2 to 4 hours in the refrigerator. You can even marinate it overnight for the ultimate flavor infusion. Just be mindful that the citrus in the marinade can start to “cook” the chicken if left for excessively long periods, so avoid marinating for much more than 12-18 hours. Remember to cover the bowl or seal the bag tightly before refrigerating.

3. Skewering the Chicken (Optional but Recommended): If you’ve cubed your chicken and are planning to grill it on skewers, this is the time to assemble them. If you’re using wooden skewers, make sure to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before threading the chicken onto them. This prevents the skewers from burning on the grill. Thread the marinated chicken cubes onto the soaked skewers, leaving a small space between each piece to ensure even cooking. Don’t overcrowd the skewers, as this can lead to uneven cooking and steaming rather than grilling. If you’re not using skewers, you can simply grill the marinated chicken pieces directly on the grill grates.

4. Grilling the Souvlaki: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. You can also use an indoor grill pan or broil the chicken in the oven if grilling isn’t an option. If grilling, lightly oil the grill grates to prevent sticking. Once the grill is hot, carefully place the chicken skewers (or the un-skewered chicken pieces) onto the grill. Grill for approximately 4-6 minutes per side, or until the chicken is cooked through and has nice grill marks. The exact cooking time will depend on the thickness of your chicken pieces and the heat of your grill. To check for doneness, the internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius), and the juices should run clear. Avoid overcooking, as this will result in dry chicken.

5. Assembling and Serving: Once the chicken is cooked to perfection, remove it from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in even more tender and moist chicken. While the chicken is resting, warm your Greek pita bread. You can do this on the grill for a minute per side, in a dry skillet, or in the oven. To assemble, spread a generous dollop of tzatziki sauce onto a warm pita bread. Top with slices of fresh tomato and thinly sliced red onion. Arrange the grilled chicken souvlaki pieces over the vegetables. You can either place the whole skewers on top or remove the chicken from the skewers before adding it to the pita. Fold the pita bread and enjoy your delicious, homemade chicken souvlaki! This dish is wonderfully satisfying on its own, but it also pairs beautifully with a side of Greek salad or some roasted potatoes.

Conclusion:

There you have it! A fantastic and flavourful Chicken Souvlaki recipe that’s incredibly satisfying to make and even more delightful to eat. This recipe is a winner because it delivers tender, juicy chicken infused with bright, zesty Mediterranean flavours, all with a relatively straightforward preparation. It’s the perfect choice for a weeknight dinner that feels special, or for a casual gathering with friends and family. The aroma alone as it grills or bakes is enough to get everyone excited!

Don’t hesitate to experiment with serving suggestions! It’s traditionally served with warm pita bread, a generous dollop of creamy tzatziki sauce, fresh tomatoes, and thinly sliced red onions. However, it also shines atop a bed of fluffy rice, tossed into a vibrant Greek salad, or even tucked into wraps for a portable lunch. For variations, consider marinating the chicken in yogurt for extra tenderness, adding a pinch of smoked paprika to the marinade for a smoky depth, or even substituting lamb for a different classic Greek experience.

I truly encourage you to give this Chicken Souvlaki recipe a try. I’m confident you’ll love the results and find it becomes a staple in your recipe repertoire. It’s a taste of Greece right in your own kitchen!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I grill the chicken souvlaki indoors if I don’t have an outdoor grill?

Absolutely! If you don’t have an outdoor grill, you can achieve delicious results by pan-frying the chicken souvlaki in a hot skillet or by baking it in a preheated oven at around 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until cooked through and nicely browned.

What are the best side dishes to serve with chicken souvlaki?

Classic pairings include warm pita bread, homemade tzatziki sauce, Greek salad with Kalamata olives and feta, lemon-roasted potatoes, or even a simple side of rice pilaf. The key is to complement the bright, zesty flavours of the souvlaki.

Can I marinate the chicken for longer than the recipe suggests?

Yes, you can marinate the chicken for up to 24 hours in the refrigerator. In fact, a longer marination time will allow the flavours to penetrate the chicken even more deeply, resulting in an even more succulent and flavourful souvlaki.

Chicken Souvlaki

Tender and flavorful marinated chicken skewers, perfect for grilling or pan-searing, served with warm pita, fresh vegetables, and cool tzatziki.

Prep Time
20 Minutes

Cook Time
15 Minutes

Total Time
35 Minutes

Servings
6-8 servings

Ingredients

• 2 lbs chicken breasts (about 4)
• 1/2 cup canola or olive oil
• 3 tbsp white grape juice vinegar
• 2 lemons – juice only (3 if lemons are not very juicy)
• 6 garlic cloves (smashed)
• 3 tbsp fresh minced dill weed
• 3 tbsp fresh minced parsley
• 2 tsp dried oregano
• 1 – 1.5 tsp coarse salt (more or less to taste)
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 6-8 Greek pita bread (warmed)
• 2 tomatoes (sliced)
• 1/2 red onion (sliced thin)
• 1/2 cup tzatziki sauce (more or less)

Instructions

1. Step 1
   Cut chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes. In a bowl, whisk together canola or olive oil, white grape juice vinegar, lemon juice, smashed garlic cloves, minced dill weed, minced parsley, dried oregano, coarse salt, and black pepper. Add chicken to the marinade, ensuring all pieces are coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours.
2. Step 2
   If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning. Thread marinated chicken pieces onto skewers.
3. Step 3
   Grill the chicken skewers over medium-high heat for 6-8 minutes per side, or until cooked through and lightly charred. Alternatively, pan-sear the chicken skewers in a lightly oiled skillet over medium-high heat for about 5-7 minutes per side.
4. Step 4
   While the chicken is cooking, warm the Greek pita bread.
5. Step 5
   Assemble the souvlaki by filling the warmed pita bread with grilled chicken, sliced tomatoes, and thinly sliced red onion.
6. Step 6
   Drizzle with tzatziki sauce and serve immediately.

Important Information

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.