Description
This authentic Greek Chicken Souvlaki recipe features tender marinated chicken pieces grilled to perfection on skewers, served with a refreshing homemade tzatziki sauce. Perfectly complemented with warm pita breads, fresh vegetables, and optional fried potatoes, this dish brings the taste of a traditional Greek taverna right to your table.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Chicken Marinade
- 4 boneless chicken breasts (approx. 1 kg)
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- juice of 1 lemon
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp dried oregano
- salt, to taste
- freshly ground pepper, to taste
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 tbsp red wine vinegar
- pinch of salt
For Serving
- 8 pita breads
- olive oil, for brushing
- 1-2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tomato, sliced
- 1 red onion, sliced
- fried potatoes (optional)
- romaine (cos) lettuce (optional)
- salt, to taste
- freshly ground pepper, to taste
- 8-9 wooden skewers
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: Cut chicken breasts into 2-3 cm pieces and place them in a large bowl with olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and freshly ground pepper. Mix well by hand, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 to 60 minutes to marinate.
- Make the Tzatziki Sauce: Peel, seed, and grate the cucumber into a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper and let sit for 10 minutes. Then wrap the grated cucumber in a towel and squeeze out excess water. In a blender, combine the olive oil and minced garlic and blend until mixed. Add the squeezed cucumber, blended garlic and oil, strained yogurt, red wine vinegar, and a pinch of salt. Blend until well combined. Refrigerate the tzatziki sauce and serve cold.
- Prepare the Skewers: Cut wooden skewers to fit your griddle pan and soak them in water for at least 10 minutes to prevent burning. Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto the soaked skewers, arranging comfortably but securely.
- Cook the Chicken Souvlaki: Preheat a grill or griddle pan on high heat. Grill the chicken skewers for about 8 to 10 minutes, turning occasionally, until evenly browned and fully cooked through.
- Prepare the Pita Breads: Preheat the oven to 250 degrees Celsius. Brush both sides of the pita breads with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and dried oregano. Place an upside-down large oven tray on the bottom rack and bake the pita breads on top of it for 2 minutes, or alternatively use a grill or griddle pan to warm them.
- Serve the Souvlaki: Arrange sliced red onions on a serving platter. Place the cooked chicken souvlaki skewers on top. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and a squeeze of lemon juice. Serve warm with pita breads and chilled tzatziki sauce. Optionally, wrap the chicken, onions, tomatoes, lettuce, and fried potatoes in the pita bread spread with tzatziki for a delicious sandwich.
Notes
- Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes but up to 1 hour for best flavor and tenderness.
- Soaking the skewers in water prevents them from burning during grilling.
- Make sure to squeeze excess water from the grated cucumber to avoid watery tzatziki sauce.
- Use strained yogurt for thicker, creamier tzatziki.
- For a smoky flavor, cook the souvlaki on an outdoor grill if possible.
- Fried potatoes and fresh romaine lettuce add a traditional and hearty touch to the souvlaki wrap.
- Pita breads can be warmed on a grill or griddle if oven is not available.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 skewer
- Calories: 191 kcal
- Sugar: 0.3 g
- Sodium: 280 mg
- Fat: 8.3 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5.8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5.6 g
- Fiber: 0.8 g
- Protein: 23.3 g
- Cholesterol: 72.4 mg
