Description
Experience the vibrant flavors of Athens with this authentic Greek Chicken Souvlaki recipe featuring a fragrant marinade and classic Tzatziki sauce. Perfectly grilled juicy chicken skewers served with pita and fresh veggies make for an irresistible Mediterranean meal.
Ingredients
Scale
For Souvlaki Marinade
- 10 garlic cloves, peeled
- 2 tbsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- 1 tsp Kosher salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup Private Reserve Greek extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup dry white wine
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 bay leaves
For Chicken
- 2 1/2 lb organic boneless skinless chicken breast, fat removed, cut into 1 1/2 inch pieces
Pita Fixings
- Greek pita bread
- Tzatziki Sauce (prepared according to recipe)
- Sliced tomato, cucumber, onions, and Kalamata olives
Optional Sides
- Greek salad
- Roasted garlic hummus
- Mezze platter
- Watermelon and cucumber salad
Instructions
- Prepare the marinade: In a small food processor, combine garlic, oregano, rosemary, paprika, salt, pepper, olive oil, white wine, and lemon juice. Pulse until the mixture is well blended. Do not add bay leaves at this stage.
- Marinate the chicken: Place chicken pieces in a large bowl with bay leaves. Pour the marinade over the chicken and toss to ensure all pieces are fully coated. Cover tightly and refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight for best flavor. For a quicker option, marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes.
- Soak skewers and prepare accompaniments: Soak wooden skewers in water for 30 to 45 minutes to prevent burning. Prepare tzatziki sauce and pita fixings. If serving sides like Greek salad or hummus, prepare those in advance.
- Thread the chicken: Remove chicken from marinade, discard leftover marinade. Thread the chicken pieces evenly onto the soaked skewers.
- Grill the chicken: Heat outdoor grill or griddle to medium-high and brush grates with oil. Grill chicken skewers for about 5 minutes total, turning regularly to brown all sides and cook through until internal temperature reaches 160°F. Brush occasionally with reserved marinade (discard any remaining marinade). Adjust heat as needed.
- Rest and warm pita: Transfer cooked skewers to a platter and rest for 3 minutes. Meanwhile, briefly grill pita bread to warm and slightly char.
- Assemble souvlaki: Remove chicken from skewers. Spread tzatziki sauce onto warmed pita, add chicken pieces, then top with sliced tomato, cucumber, onions, and Kalamata olives. Serve immediately with optional sides.
Notes
- If short on time, marinate chicken for 30 minutes at room temperature instead of longer chilling.
- Grilled souvlaki can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days after removing chicken from skewers.
- Use authentic extra virgin olive oil and fresh herbs for the best flavor impact.
- To speed up cooking, you can use an indoor griddle instead of an outdoor grill.
- Serve with classic Greek sides like salad, hummus, or a mezze platter for a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 skewer
- Calories: 190 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
