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Grilled chicken souvlaki skewers with golden-brown char, dried oregano flecks, and glossy lemon-herb finish.

Chicken Souvlaki

Rebecca Blumer
Tender Greek chicken souvlaki marinated with lemon, garlic, and oregano, grilled to golden perfection, and served with thick tzatziki in warm pita.
Prep Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Marinating Time 1 hour
Total Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Course Main
Cuisine Greek
Servings 10 skewers
Calories 191 kcal

Equipment

  • Wooden Skewers
  • grill or griddle pan
  • Blender

Ingredients
 

For the chicken souvlaki

  • 4 boneless chicken breasts (approx. 1 kg/ 35 ounces )
  • 4 tbsps olive oil
  • 1 juice of lemon
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 2 tbsp dried oregano
  • salt and freshly ground pepper

For the tzatziki sauce

  • 1 cucumber
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 500 g strained yogurt ( 18 ounces )
  • 1 – 2 tbsps red wine vinegar
  • pinch salt

To serve

  • 8 pita breads
  • olive oil
  • 1 – 2 tsps dried oregano
  • 1 tomato sliced
  • 1 red onion sliced
  • fried potatoes (optional)
  • romaine (cos) lettuce (optional)
  • salt and freshly ground pepper
  • 8 – 9 wooden skewers

Instructions
 

  • Cut the chicken breasts into 2–3 cm pieces and combine them in a large bowl with the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper; cover and refrigerate for 30–60 minutes. The chicken should look evenly coated and glossy, with oregano clinging to each piece.
  • Blend the tzatziki olive oil with the minced garlic, then grate the peeled and seeded cucumber into a bowl; season it and let it sit for 10 minutes before squeezing it dry in a towel. Stir the cucumber with the garlic oil, strained yogurt, red wine vinegar, and salt until thick, then refrigerate the sauce until serving.
  • Trim the wooden skewers to fit the cooking surface if needed, soak them in water, and thread on the chicken without packing the pieces tightly. Leave small gaps between the cubes so the surfaces can brown instead of steaming.
  • Heat a grill or griddle pan over high heat and cook the skewers for about 8–10 minutes, turning them regularly. Look for golden-brown char marks on every side and firm but yielding chicken before removing the skewers from the heat.
  • Heat the oven to 250°C, brush the pita breads with olive oil, season with salt and oregano, and warm them on an upside-down baking tray for 2 minutes. The pita should feel warm and flexible enough to fold without cracking.
  • Arrange the cooked skewers with sliced red onion, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, and lemon juice, then serve with warm pita and chilled tzatziki. For wraps, spread tzatziki over pita and add chicken, tomato, onion, and fried potatoes if using before folding snugly.

Notes

Skewer prep: Soak wooden skewers completely in water for at least 30 minutes before grilling to prevent scorching over high heat.
Tzatziki tip: Squeeze the grated cucumber firmly in a clean kitchen towel to remove excess liquid so the sauce stays thick and creamy.
Storage: Store cooked chicken and tzatziki in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator to keep the pita and garnishes from becoming soggy.
Nutrition information is an estimate based on common ingredients and serving sizes. Values may vary depending on brands, portions, and substitutions.
Keyword chicken souvlaki, Grilled Chicken Skewers, souvlaki marinade, tzatziki sauce