Description
Grilled Chicken Souvlaki is a classic Greek-inspired dish perfect for weeknight dinners. Tender, marinated chicken pieces are threaded onto skewers, grilled to juicy perfection, and served wrapped in warm pita with fresh vegetables and a homemade tzatziki sauce. This recipe combines bright lemon, aromatic garlic, and traditional oregano for a flavorful and satisfying meal that’s quick to prepare and sure to become a favorite.
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 lemon, juiced
- 6 cloves garlic, smashed
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
For the Tzatziki Sauce
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt (whole fat preferred)
- 1/2 lemon, juiced
- 1/3 cup finely chopped cucumber
- 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, lemon juice, smashed garlic, oregano, kosher salt, and black pepper until well combined.
- Marinate the Chicken: Add the chicken pieces to the marinade and toss to coat thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 24 hours for deeper flavor infusion.
- Make the Tzatziki Sauce: While the chicken marinates, combine Greek yogurt, chopped cucumber, lemon juice, minced garlic, freshly chopped dill, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes in a bowl. Stir well and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Prepare the Skewers: If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning during grilling.
- Thread the Chicken: Thread the marinated chicken pieces evenly onto the skewers, leaving space between pieces for even cooking.
- Grill the Chicken: Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Place the skewers on the grill and cook for approximately 6 minutes per side, turning once, until the chicken is golden brown and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Assemble and Serve: Warm the pita bread and fill each with grilled chicken, a generous spoonful of tzatziki sauce, sliced tomatoes, and chopped romaine lettuce. Serve immediately for best flavor.
Notes
- Marinating overnight enhances the flavor and tenderness of the chicken.
- If you don’t have a grill, you can use a grill pan on the stovetop.
- Ensure wooden skewers are soaked well to prevent burning during grilling.
- Adjust red pepper flakes in the tzatziki for desired spice level or omit for a milder sauce.
- Use whole-fat Greek yogurt for creamier tzatziki, but low-fat can be substituted.
