Description
Grilled Chicken Souvlaki is a flavorful and easy-to-make Greek-inspired weeknight meal featuring tender, marinated chicken grilled to perfection and served with creamy homemade tzatziki, fresh tomatoes, and crunchy romaine in warm pita bread. This recipe combines the bright flavors of lemon, garlic, and oregano for a deliciously satisfying dish perfect for quick dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken Marinade
- 1 pound Boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon Freshly ground black pepper
- 3 tablespoons Extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 each Juice of 1 lemon
- 6 cloves Garlic, smashed
- 1 tablespoon Dried oregano
For the Tzatziki Sauce
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt (whole fat preferred)
- 1/2 each Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1/3 cup Finely chopped cucumber
- 1 clove Minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon Freshly chopped dill
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 pinch Red pepper flakes (optional)
To Serve
- 4 pieces Pita bread, warmed
- 1 cup Thinly sliced tomatoes
- 2 cups Chopped romaine lettuce
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, smashed garlic, oregano, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper to create the marinade.
- Marinate the Chicken: Add the chicken pieces to the marinade, ensuring each piece is fully coated. Cover and let marinate for at least 30 minutes, or refrigerate up to 24 hours for deeper flavor infusion.
- Make the Tzatziki Sauce: While the chicken marinates, combine Greek yogurt, chopped cucumber, juice of half a lemon, minced garlic, fresh dill, salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes in a bowl. Stir well and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Prepare Skewers: If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning during the grilling process.
- Skewer the Chicken: Thread the marinated chicken pieces evenly onto the soaked skewers, spacing them to allow even cooking.
- Preheat and Grill: Heat your grill to medium-high heat. Place the skewers on the grill and cook for about 6 minutes on each side until the chicken is golden brown and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Assemble and Serve: Once cooked, serve the grilled chicken in warmed pita bread. Top with a generous spoonful of tzatziki sauce, sliced tomatoes, and chopped romaine lettuce for a classic and delicious presentation.
Notes
- For best results, marinate the chicken for several hours to enhance flavor and tenderness.
- Ensure the grill is preheated well to avoid sticking and to get nice grill marks.
- If you don’t have access to a grill, the chicken can be cooked under the broiler or on a grill pan on the stovetop.
- Swapping whole wheat pita can add extra fiber for a healthier option.
- The tzatziki sauce can be prepared a day ahead to develop more flavor.
- Use gloves when handling red pepper flakes if you prefer less heat, or omit them entirely for a milder tzatziki.
