Description
Bring the vibrant flavors of Greece to your kitchen with this authentic Greek Chicken Souvlaki recipe! Juicy, marinated chicken skewers are grilled to perfection and served with warm pita bread and creamy tzatziki sauce. Perfect for a quick and delicious meal, this classic Greek street food is easy to make and bursting with Mediterranean flavors
Ingredients
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For the Chicken Marinade:
- 2 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into 1 ½-inch pieces)
- 10 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup dry white wine
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 bay leaves
For the Tzatziki Sauce:
- 1 cucumber, grated and drained
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 500 grams (18 ounces) Greek yogurt
- 1–2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- Pinch of salt
For Serving:
- 8 Greek pita breads
- 1–2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 tomato, sliced
- 1 red onion, sliced
- Fried potatoes (optional)
- Romaine lettuce (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 8–9 wooden skewers
Instructions
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Marinate the Chicken:
- In a large bowl, combine minced garlic, oregano, rosemary, paprika, salt, pepper, olive oil, white wine, and lemon juice. Mix well.
- Add chicken pieces and bay leaves to the marinade, ensuring all pieces are coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (preferably overnight).
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Prepare the Tzatziki Sauce:
- Grate the cucumber and squeeze out excess moisture using a towel.
- In a bowl, mix the cucumber, minced garlic, olive oil, Greek yogurt, red wine vinegar, and salt. Stir until smooth and refrigerate.
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Assemble the Skewers:
- Soak wooden skewers in water for 30–45 minutes to prevent burning.
- Thread the marinated chicken onto the skewers.
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Grill the Chicken:
- Preheat a grill or griddle pan over medium-high heat and lightly oil the grates.
- Cook the skewers for about 8–10 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is fully cooked and slightly charred.
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Warm the Pita Bread:
- Brush pita bread with olive oil and sprinkle with oregano. Warm it on the grill or in an oven at 250°C (482°F) for 2 minutes.
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Assemble & Serve:
- Serve the chicken souvlaki with pita, tzatziki sauce, sliced tomatoes, red onions, fried potatoes, and lettuce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
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- For extra tenderness, marinate the chicken overnight.
- If using metal skewers, no soaking is needed.
- The tzatziki sauce can be made a day in advance for deeper flavor.
- Serve with a side of Greek salad or lemon-roasted potatoes for a complete meal.
- Leftover souvlaki can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheated in a skillet or oven.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Marinate Time: 2 hours (or overnight)
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Greek