Authentic Greek Chicken Souvlaki Recipe with Homemade Tzatziki

This recipe for chicken souvlaki brings you the taste of Greece with deliciously spiced, tender chicken, served in warm pita bread with crisp lettuce and a generous dollop of refreshing homemade tzatziki sauce. It’s an unforgettable meal perfect for any occasion!

Souvlaki, a beloved and iconic Greek dish, is a culinary cornerstone of Mediterranean cuisine. Traditionally, it’s crafted from succulent pieces of meat – be it lamb, pork, or chicken – expertly seasoned and grilled over an open charcoal fire. In Greece, souvlaki is most commonly enjoyed wrapped in soft pita bread, creating a handheld delight that’s both satisfying and bursting with flavor. Our rendition focuses on the ever-popular chicken souvlaki, promising a vibrant and authentic taste experience, ideal for a casual family dinner or a festive Greek-themed buffet.

What truly sets our chicken souvlaki apart is the exquisitely balanced marinade. Each piece of chicken is lovingly coated in a blend of aromatic herbs, a touch of golden honey for a hint of sweetness, and the bright, zesty notes of fresh lemon. This carefully crafted marinade infuses the chicken with incredible depth and ensures every bite is juicy and tender. And no souvlaki experience is complete without its perfect companion: a creamy, homemade tzatziki sauce, which we’ll show you how to prepare to elevate your dish to new heights.

The Magic Behind the Marinade: Why This Recipe Works

Understanding the science and artistry behind a great marinade is key to achieving truly exceptional chicken souvlaki. Our recipe incorporates specific elements that not only impart incredible flavor but also contribute to the perfect texture of the meat.

• Lemon Juice for Unrivaled Tenderness: The addition of fresh lemon juice to our marinade does more than just add a tangy flavor; it’s a natural tenderizer. The acidity in the lemon works to break down the tough protein fibers in the chicken, resulting in remarkably tender and juicy meat. However, a word of caution: while lemon juice works wonders, over-marinating can have the opposite effect. We recommend marinating for no longer than 20 minutes. Prolonged exposure to acidity can break down the meat too far, causing it to become mushy or even fall apart when cooked. Stick to the recommended time for perfectly tender chicken that holds its shape.
• Oil for Flavor and Perfect Grilling: Including olive oil in the marinade serves multiple crucial purposes. Firstly, it acts as a carrier for the fat-soluble flavors from the herbs and spices, ensuring they penetrate deep into the chicken. Secondly, and perhaps most importantly for grilling, the oil creates a protective barrier around the meat. This barrier helps prevent the chicken from sticking to the grill grates and significantly reduces the risk of burning, allowing for beautiful char marks and even cooking. It also locks in moisture, ensuring your chicken stays wonderfully juicy during the high heat of grilling, contributing to that irresistible golden-brown crust.
• Versatility for Any Cooking Method: This chicken souvlaki recipe isn’t limited to just one cooking method, making it incredibly adaptable for various occasions. While grilling over an open flame imparts an unbeatable smoky flavor, it’s also fantastic when cooked on a stovetop grill pan or even baked in a conventional oven. If you’re hosting a BBQ, this is an excellent choice, as the marinated chicken cooks quickly and can easily be threaded onto skewers for a classic presentation, making it easy to serve to a crowd. Its versatility makes it a go-to dish for everything from a quick weeknight dinner to a large outdoor gathering.

Strategic Time Schedule: For Effortless Preparation

Preparing delicious meals doesn’t have to be a last-minute rush. With a little planning, you can make your chicken souvlaki experience even more enjoyable and stress-free. Our suggested time schedule allows you to get a head start, ensuring your ingredients are perfectly prepped for when you’re ready to cook.

In the Morning:

• Prepare the Marinade in Advance: This is a fantastic step to do early. Whisk together all your marinade ingredients – the olive oil, lemon juice, honey, parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper. Once mixed, pour it into an airtight jar or container and secure the lid. Store this flavorful concoction at room temperature until you’re ready to marinate the chicken later in the day. It’s important not to refrigerate the marinade if it contains olive oil, as the oil can solidify and become cloudy, affecting its texture and the even distribution of flavors when you add the chicken.
• Pre-cut Your Chicken: Take the chicken breasts and cut them into uniform 2×2 cm cubes. Uniform size is crucial for even cooking, ensuring all pieces are tender and perfectly done at the same time. Once cut, place the chicken cubes in a bowl, cover them tightly with plastic foil to prevent drying, and store them safely in the refrigerator. This way, when it’s time to marinate, your chicken is ready to go, saving you valuable time during the busiest part of your day.

Recipe Chicken Souvlaki

Get ready to impress your taste buds and your guests with this authentic Chicken Souvlaki recipe. It’s simpler than you think to achieve truly remarkable Greek flavors right in your own kitchen.

📖 Recipe

RECIPE CARD

Chicken Souvlaki

Andréa

This authentic recipe delivers tender, perfectly spiced chicken, bursting with Mediterranean flavors. Served in a warm pita bread with crisp lettuce and a generous dollop of our homemade tzatziki sauce, it’s a taste of Greece that’s both simple to make and incredibly satisfying.

5 of 3 votes

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course Dinner

Cuisine Mediterranean, Greek

Servings 5 persons

Calories 643.07 kcal

Equipment

• A conventional oven is used. When using a convection oven (with air fan) decrease the temperature with 30 °F / 20 °C.
• BBQ or grill pan
• Mixing bowl and whisk
• Airtight container or jar for marinade
• Sharp knife and cutting board
• Optional: Skewers (metal or wooden, soaked if wooden)

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Ingredients

• ▢ 1 kg chicken breast, cut into 2×2 cm cubes
• ▢ 50 ml olive oil, extra virgin for best flavor
• ▢ 2 lemons , freshly squeezed juice
• ▢ 1 teaspoon honey, for a touch of sweetness and caramelization
• ▢ 2 tablespoons parsley , finely chopped, for freshness
• ▢ 1 teaspoon oregano , dried, a classic Greek herb
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon salt, or to taste
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper, or to taste
• ▢ 10 pita breads , warm, and crisp iceberg lettuce, shredded
• ▢ Homemade Tzatziki Sauce, for serving

All my recipes are written both in Metric (gram / ml) and US Customary (cups / pounds). Here you can select which type of amount you would like to see.

Instructions

• ▢
  Preheat your oven according to the pita bread package instructions, or to around 350°F (175°C). Warm the pita breads in the oven until they are soft, pliable, and slightly puffed, typically for 2-3 minutes per side. This makes them perfect for stuffing and serving.
• ▢
  Using a sharp knife and a cutting board, carefully cut the chicken breast into even 2 x 2 cm (approximately ¾ x ¾ inch) cubes. Consistency in size ensures that the chicken cooks evenly, resulting in uniformly tender pieces.
• ▢
  In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice, honey, finely chopped parsley, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined, creating a fragrant and inviting marinade.
• ▢
  Add the cut chicken cubes to the prepared marinade. Use your hands or a spoon to mix everything well, ensuring each piece of chicken is thoroughly coated with the flavorful marinade. This step is crucial for infusing the chicken with maximum flavor.
• ▢
  Allow the chicken to marinate for a minimum of 15 minutes. As mentioned earlier, do not marinate for longer than 20 minutes to prevent the lemon juice from breaking down the chicken too much. During this time, the chicken will absorb the rich flavors, setting the stage for a delicious meal.
• ▢
  Heat your barbecue or grill pan to medium-high heat. If using a barbecue, you can thread the chicken onto skewers for easy handling. Cook the chicken, turning occasionally, until it’s beautifully golden brown on all sides and cooked through. If using a grill pan, you might need to cook in batches to avoid overcrowding, ensuring even browning and doneness. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C). This usually takes about 3-5 minutes per side, depending on heat and chicken size.
• ▢
  To serve, open a warm pita bread and fill it with some shredded iceberg lettuce. Pile a generous portion of the freshly grilled chicken souvlaki on top. Finish with a dollop of your homemade tzatziki sauce. For an extra touch of freshness, you can sprinkle with a little extra fresh parsley. Enjoy this authentic Greek delight immediately!

Notes

• This recipe is perfectly portioned for 5 people when served as a complete dinner. If you’re preparing it as part of a larger BBQ spread or a buffet, where guests might sample a variety of dishes, this recipe can generously serve up to 10 people. You can easily adjust the serving size using the slider above to scale the ingredients accordingly.
• For an even more authentic presentation, consider threading the marinated chicken cubes onto wooden or metal skewers before grilling. If using wooden skewers, remember to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes prior to grilling to prevent them from burning.

Nutrition

Calories: 643.07kcal
Carbohydrates: 68.01g
Protein: 53.23g
Fat: 16.69g
Saturated Fat: 2.73g
Cholesterol: 128mg
Sodium: 950.73mg
Fiber: 3.9g
Sugar: 2.26g
Vitamin A: 194.78IU
Vitamin C: 27.42mg
Iron: 2.87mg

Keyword chicken souvlaki recipe, Greek chicken, grilled chicken, tzatziki

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The Origins of Souvlaki: A Taste of Ancient Greece

The history of souvlaki is as rich and flavorful as the dish itself, tracing its roots back to ancient Greece. While the term “souvlaki” directly translates to “skewer,” early forms of meat on a stick were enjoyed in the region for millennia. Archaeological digs in Santorini, for instance, have unearthed stone barbecue supports from the 17th century BC, suggesting that the practice of grilling meat over coals is deeply ingrained in Greek culinary tradition. During the Byzantine era, a dish known as “kreas tiganitis” (fried meat) was popular, which many scholars consider a precursor to modern souvlaki. Over centuries, as culinary techniques evolved and spices from the East became more accessible, souvlaki transformed into the beloved street food and staple meal we recognize today. Its simplicity, affordability, and deliciousness have ensured its enduring popularity, making it a symbol of Greek hospitality and flavor.

Perfecting Your Homemade Tzatziki: The Ultimate Souvlaki Pairing

No chicken souvlaki is truly complete without a generous dollop of creamy, cooling tzatziki. This traditional Greek sauce is remarkably easy to make at home and offers a refreshing contrast to the savory, grilled chicken. The key to a fantastic tzatziki lies in using good quality, thick Greek yogurt, finely grated cucumber (squeezed to remove excess water), fresh garlic, a splash of white wine vinegar or lemon juice, and a drizzle of olive oil. The coolness of the cucumber and yogurt, combined with the sharpness of garlic and vinegar, cuts through the richness of the chicken, making each bite balanced and invigorating. While our recipe links to a dedicated tzatziki recipe, remember that fresh ingredients make all the difference. Making it yourself ensures you get the brightest, most authentic flavors.

Serving Suggestions: Beyond the Pita

While serving chicken souvlaki in pita bread with lettuce and tzatziki is the classic way to enjoy this dish, it’s incredibly versatile and pairs well with a variety of sides, making it perfect for any meal. For a heartier meal, consider serving your grilled chicken souvlaki alongside a vibrant Greek salad with feta cheese and Kalamata olives. A side of fluffy basmati rice or golden crispy French fries (often served with souvlaki in Greece) makes a fantastic accompaniment. For those looking for a lighter option, a simple medley of roasted vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, and red onion, tossed with a little olive oil and oregano, would complement the chicken beautifully. Don’t forget an extra bowl of tzatziki on the side for dipping!

Meal Prep and Storage Tips

Chicken souvlaki is not only a fantastic meal to cook fresh but also lends itself well to meal prepping. The morning preparation tips ensure you’re halfway there before dinner time. Once cooked, leftover chicken souvlaki can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. It’s delicious cold in salads or reheated gently in a pan or microwave. For the best flavor and texture, we recommend reheating the chicken separately from the pita and fresh toppings. The marinade itself can be made up to 2-3 days in advance and stored as advised, ensuring your next souvlaki meal is just minutes away from being marinated and grilled.

Variations and Personalizations

While our recipe offers an authentic and beloved flavor profile, feel free to experiment and personalize your chicken souvlaki. You can add a pinch of smoked paprika for a deeper flavor, or a touch of dried mint to the marinade for an aromatic twist. If you prefer a bit of heat, a tiny pinch of red pepper flakes can awaken the palate. You can also experiment with different types of chicken; while breast meat is lean and tender, chicken thighs offer a richer flavor and stay incredibly juicy even if slightly overcooked. Don’t be afraid to make this recipe your own!