Greek Chicken Souvlaki with Tzatziki Recipe
Introduction
Greek Chicken Souvlaki is a delicious and flavorful grilled chicken dish marinated in herbs and spices, perfect for a Mediterranean-inspired meal. Served with warm pita bread and creamy tzatziki sauce, it makes for a satisfying and fresh dinner or party platter.
Ingredients
- 10 garlic cloves, peeled
- 2 tbsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- 1 tsp Kosher salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup Private Reserve Greek extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup dry white wine
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 1/2 lb organic boneless skinless chicken breast, fat removed, cut into 1 1/2 inch pieces
- Greek pita bread
- Tzatziki sauce (prepare according to your favorite recipe)
- Sliced tomato, cucumber, onions, and Kalamata olives
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the marinade by combining garlic, oregano, rosemary, paprika, salt, pepper, olive oil, white wine, and lemon juice in a small food processor. Pulse until well blended. Do not add the bay leaves at this stage.
- Step 2: Place the chicken pieces in a large bowl, add the bay leaves, and pour the marinade over them. Toss to coat the chicken thoroughly, then cover tightly and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight for best flavor.
- Step 3: Soak 10 to 12 wooden skewers in water for 30 to 45 minutes to prevent burning. Prepare the tzatziki sauce and other accompaniments like sliced veggies or Greek salad.
- Step 4: Thread the marinated chicken onto the soaked skewers evenly.
- Step 5: Preheat your grill or griddle to medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grill grates. Grill the chicken skewers for about 5 minutes, turning regularly until the chicken is well browned and reaches an internal temperature of 160°F. While grilling, brush chicken lightly with marinade and discard any leftover marinade after use.
- Step 6: Remove the chicken from skewers and transfer to a serving platter. Let rest for 3 minutes. Meanwhile, grill the pita bread briefly to warm it up.
- Step 7: To assemble, spread a generous layer of tzatziki sauce on the warm pita. Add the grilled chicken pieces, then top with sliced tomatoes, cucumber, onions, and Kalamata olives.
- Step 8: Serve with Greek salad, watermelon and cucumber salad, roasted garlic hummus, or a mezze platter for a full Mediterranean feast.
Tips & Variations
- For quicker marinating, reduce time to 30 minutes, but flavor improves with longer marination.
- Use boneless skinless chicken thighs instead of breasts for juicier souvlaki.
- Add fresh mint or dill to the tzatziki sauce for an extra burst of flavor.
- If you don’t have a grill, cooking on a griddle or in a hot grill pan works well too.
- Serve with warm pita or over a bed of rice or salad for a low-carb option.
Storage
Store leftover cooked chicken souvlaki in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a microwave or warm in a skillet over low heat to avoid drying out. Leftover marinade should not be reused or stored after contact with raw chicken.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I prepare the marinade and chicken ahead of time?
Yes, you can marinate the chicken up to 24 hours in advance in the refrigerator. This allows the flavors to develop fully and makes the grilling process quicker.
What can I use if I don’t have wooden skewers?
If you don’t have wooden skewers, metal skewers are a great alternative and reusable. Just make sure to preheat them along with the grill to help cook the chicken evenly.
Print
Greek Chicken Souvlaki with Tzatziki Recipe
- Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes (includes marinating time)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Halal
Description
This Greek Chicken Souvlaki recipe features juicy, marinated chicken breast grilled to perfection and served with traditional Tzatziki sauce and fresh Mediterranean veggies. Perfect for a flavorful summer meal or backyard barbecue, the chicken is infused with garlic, oregano, rosemary, paprika, and lemon, capturing the essence of classic Greek cuisine. Serve it wrapped in warm pita bread with complementary sides like Greek salad or roasted garlic hummus for a vibrant and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Marinade and Chicken
- 10 garlic cloves, peeled
- 2 tbsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup Greek extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup dry white wine
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 1/2 lb organic boneless skinless chicken breast, fat removed, cut into 1 1/2 inch pieces
To Serve
- Greek pita bread
- Tzatziki sauce (prepared separately)
- Sliced tomato
- Sliced cucumber
- Sliced onions
- Kalamata olives
- Optional: Greek salad, roasted garlic hummus, Mezze platter, watermelon and cucumber salad
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a small food processor, combine garlic, oregano, rosemary, paprika, kosher salt, black pepper, olive oil, white wine, and lemon juice. Pulse until the mixture is well blended and forms a smooth marinade. Note: Do not add the bay leaves at this stage.
- Marinate the Chicken: Place the cut chicken breast pieces in a large bowl. Add the bay leaves to the bowl. Pour the prepared marinade over the chicken and toss to coat all pieces evenly. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to infuse.
- Prepare Skewers and Fixings: Soak 10 to 12 wooden skewers in water for 30 to 45 minutes to prevent burning during grilling. While soaking, prepare the Tzatziki sauce and any other sides such as Greek salad, roasted garlic hummus, or watermelon cucumber salad.
- Thread the Chicken onto Skewers: Remove the chicken pieces from the marinade and thread them evenly onto the soaked wooden skewers, leaving a little space between pieces for even cooking.
- Grill the Chicken: Preheat an outdoor grill or stovetop griddle over medium-high heat. Brush the grill grates with a little oil to prevent sticking. Place the chicken skewers on the grill and cook, turning frequently to brown all sides evenly. Grill until the internal temperature reaches 160°F on an instant-read thermometer, about 5 minutes total. The chicken will continue to cook to 165°F as it rests. Brush skewers occasionally with remaining marinade, discarding any leftover marinade after use.
- Rest the Chicken and Warm Pitas: Transfer the cooked chicken skewers to a serving platter and let rest for 3 minutes to retain juices. While resting, briefly grill the pita breads on the grill until warm and lightly charred.
- Assemble the Souvlaki: Remove the chicken pieces from the skewers. Spread a generous amount of Tzatziki sauce onto each warm pita. Top with grilled chicken, then add sliced tomato, cucumber, onions, and Kalamata olives as desired.
- Serve with Sides: Optionally, serve the souvlaki with Greek salad, roasted garlic hummus, watermelon and cucumber salad, or a Mezze platter for a complete Mediterranean-inspired meal.
Notes
- For quicker marinating, allow chicken to marinate for at least 2 hours instead of overnight.
- Soaking wooden skewers prevents them from burning on the grill.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is safely cooked to 165°F.
- You can prepare Tzatziki and other sides ahead of time to streamline meal prep.
- Adjust grilling time depending on the heat of your grill and the size of chicken pieces.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Greek
Keywords: Greek Chicken Souvlaki, Chicken Skewers, Greek Grilled Chicken, Tzatziki, Mediterranean Chicken Recipe
