Description
Grilled Chicken Souvlaki is a classic Greek dish perfect for a quick and flavorful weeknight dinner. Tender chicken marinated in olive oil, lemon, garlic, and oregano is grilled to juicy perfection and served with a refreshing homemade tzatziki sauce, fresh tomatoes, and crisp romaine wrapped in warm pita bread.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken Marinade
- 1 pound Boneless skinless chicken breasts (Cut into 1” pieces)
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt (Adjust quantity 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
- 1 pinch Red pepper flakes (Optional)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
To Serve
- 4 pieces Pita (Warmed)
- 1 cup Thinly sliced tomatoes
- 2 cups Chopped romaine
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken Marinade: In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, smashed garlic, oregano, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper until well combined. Add the chicken pieces and toss thoroughly to coat. Cover and marinate for at least 30 minutes, or refrigerate up to 24 hours for enhanced flavor.
- Make the Tzatziki Sauce: While the chicken marinates, combine Greek yogurt, finely chopped cucumber, lemon juice, minced garlic, fresh dill, salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes in a bowl. Stir well to blend flavors and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Prepare Skewers: If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes prior to grilling to prevent burning.
- Thread the Chicken: Remove chicken from the marinade and thread evenly onto the prepared skewers, spacing pieces for even cooking.
- Preheat the Grill: Heat your grill to medium-high heat (about 375-450°F). Carefully place the chicken skewers onto the grill grates.
- Grill the Chicken: Cook the skewers for about 6 minutes per side, turning once, until chicken is golden brown and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F to ensure doneness.
- Assemble and Serve: Warm the pita bread on the grill or stovetop. Serve the grilled chicken skewers atop the warm pita, then top with a generous dollop of tzatziki sauce, sliced tomatoes, and chopped romaine lettuce. Enjoy immediately.
Notes
- Marinate chicken overnight for the most flavorful and tender results.
- Soaking wooden skewers prevents them from burning on the grill.
- Use whole-fat Greek yogurt for a richer and creamier tzatziki sauce.
- Adjust garlic and lemon quantities to your personal taste preference.
- If you don’t have a grill, you can cook the chicken skewers under a broiler or on a grill pan on the stovetop.
- Serve with extra lemon wedges for added brightness.
