A very popular Greek street food is chicken souvlaki. To make it, you marinate chicken in a mix of Mediterranean herbs and spices, thread it onto skewers, and grill it until it’s soft and full of flavor. Classic Greek food that is wrapped in warm, fluffy pita bread and topped with cool tzatziki sauce is a dish that people all over the world love.
This article will teach you everything you need to know to make authentic and tasty Greek chicken souvlaki at home, from the marinade and ingredients you need to the best ways to grill it. Let’s get started!
The Key Ingredients for Chicken Souvlaki
Chicken souvlaki requires just a handful of simple ingredients that infuse it with the signature flavors we love. Here are the essentials
-
Chicken – Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs are best. Cut into 1-inch cubes.
-
Extra Virgin Olive Oil – For the marinade and drizzling. You’ll need about 1/4 cup
-
Lemon Juice – Freshly squeezed is ideal. You’ll need about 3 tablespoons.
-
Garlic – 2-3 cloves, finely minced. You can also use garlic powder.
-
Dried Oregano – 1-2 tablespoons will do. This herb is quintessentially Greek.
-
Salt and Pepper – For seasoning the chicken. Use about 1/2 teaspoon each.
-
Skewers – Soak wooden skewers in water first to prevent burning. Metal skewers work too.
-
Pita Bread – Warm or toast pita bread to serve the souvlaki in.
-
Tzatziki Sauce – A must for drizzling over the souvlaki. Easy to make fresh.
That’s really all you need for incredible Greek chicken souvlaki. Now let’s make that marinade!
Creating the Perfect Souvlaki Marinade
The marinade is truly what sets chicken souvlaki apart and gives it its robust Mediterranean flavors.
Here are my tips for making the best souvlaki marinade:
-
Use Equal Parts Olive Oil and Lemon Juice – This balance of flavors is ideal. Start with 1/4 cup of each.
-
Include Lots of Oregano – At least 2 tablespoons of this quintessential Greek herb.
-
Don’t Skimp on the Garlic – 2-3 cloves minced gives great flavor. Or use 1 teaspoon garlic powder.
-
Season Generously With Salt and Pepper – Use about 1/2 teaspoon each to start.
-
Let it Soak—Let the chicken soak in this sauce for at least 30 minutes, or even overnight.
Simply combine all the marinade ingredients in a ziplock bag or baking dish, add the chicken, and let those flavors mingle before grilling. Easy peasy!
Grilling Tips for Juicy, Flavorful Chicken Souvlaki
To grill your chicken, you need to let it sit for a while. Use these tips for the best results:
-
Skewer the Chicken Loosely – Leave space between pieces so it cooks evenly. Don’t overcrowd.
-
Use a Very Hot Grill – You want nice char marks. Cook over direct high heat.
-
Flip the Skewers Frequently – Turn them every 2-3 minutes to prevent burning.
-
Cook Until Just Done – Chicken is done at an internal temp of 165°F. Don’t overcook!
-
Let it Rest Briefly – 5 minutes wrapped in foil allows juices to redistribute.
It only takes 8-10 minutes to grill souvlaki to juicy perfection. Now let’s talk serving suggestions!
How to Serve Chicken Souvlaki for Maximum Deliciousness
Chicken souvlaki is so versatile. Here are some of my favorite ways to serve it:
-
In Warm Pita Bread – Stuff pitas with tzatziki, lettuce, tomato, onion, and souvlaki.
-
Over a Greek Salad – Heap the skewers over a fresh salad with feta cheese.
-
With Rice or Orzo – Souvlaki pairs well with Mediterranean-style rice or orzo.
-
As the Protein on a Meze Platter – Offer souvlaki alongside classic dips like hummus, baba ghanoush, dolmas, and pita.
-
On Top of Couscous – Skewers served over couscous makes a complete meal.
However you choose to serve it, Greek chicken souvlaki is the perfect balance of savory, bright, and satisfying flavors in every bite. Opa!
Expert Tips for Making Perfect Chicken Souvlaki at Home
Here are my top tips for nailing delicious homemade chicken souvlaki every time:
-
Choose bone-in chicken thighs for more flavor and moisture. Breasts work too.
-
Cut the chicken into equal 1-inch cubes so it cooks evenly on the grill.
-
Marinate the chicken for at least 2 hours, or up to overnight in the fridge.
-
Use both dried and fresh oregano for complex herby flavor.
-
Brush the pitas with olive oil or butter before lightly toasting them.
-
Make the tzatziki sauce ahead of time so the flavors blend.
-
Opt for full-fat Greek yogurt in the tzatziki for richest texture.
-
Sprinkle the hot souvlaki with lemon juice right before serving.
-
Pair the souvlaki with a crisp Greek white wine like Assyrtiko.
-
Store leftover chicken separate from tzatziki to prevent sogginess.
Now you’re ready to make professional-level chicken souvlaki in your own kitchen!
Frequently Asked Questions About Chicken Souvlaki
What is the traditional way to prepare chicken souvlaki?
The traditional method is to marinate bite-sized chicken pieces in olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, and seasonings, then thread them onto skewers and grill over very high heat until cooked through and slightly charred.
What is the difference between souvlaki and gyros?
Souvlaki refers to the meat grilled on skewers. Gyros is made from stacked seasoned meat roasted on a vertical rotisserie. The terms are sometimes used interchangeably.
Can you make chicken souvlaki in the oven?
Yes, you can bake the skewers in the oven at 400°F for 18-20 minutes until cooked through. Finish under the broiler for charring.
What is the white sauce served with chicken souvlaki?
The traditional sauce paired with souvlaki is tzatziki. This Greek sauce is made from strained yogurt, cucumber, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and herbs.
How long does souvlaki last in the fridge?
Properly stored in airtight containers, the chicken and tzatziki will keep for 3-5 days refrigerated. Pita bread is best freshly warmed.
How to Make Chicken Souvlaki
In a large ziplock bag, mix the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, crushed red pepper flakes, sea salt, and freshly cracked pepper to taste. Seal the bag and squish the contents around until everything is well mixed.
Close the zip lock bag and put the chicken pieces inside. Put it in the fridge for 30 minutes to 2 hours.
Remove the chicken pieces from the marinade and thread them onto skewers. Discard the bag and the remaining marinade. Season the skewers with a bit more sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, if desired.
Preheat grill to medium-high. Turn the skewers over once and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked all the way through.
Side Note: You can use a grill pan over medium-high heat with a bit of olive oil until HOT. Add the skewers and cook on all sides until golden brown, about 5-7 minutes on all sides, or until cooked through.
Preheat the oven to broil and place the rack about 5-6 inches from the top of the oven. Place skewers on a large baking sheet, and broil for 6-8 minutes, turning once, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through.
Transfer skewers to a serving plate and sprinkle the top with fresh chopped parsley. Serve with garlic rice, a greek salad, tzatziki sauce, and warm pita bread, if desired. Enjoy.
- Wooden Skewers
- Grill Pan or Grill
- 1½ lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Juice from 1 large lemon
- 5 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
- Sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- In a large ziplock bag, mix the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, crushed red pepper flakes, sea salt, and freshly cracked pepper to taste. Seal the bag and squish the contents around until everything is well mixed.
- Close the zip lock bag and put the chicken pieces inside. Put it in the fridge for 30 minutes to 2 hours.
- Take the chicken off the skewers and thread it onto the skewers. Discard the bag and the remaining marinade. If you want, add a little more sea salt and freshly cracked pepper to the skewers.
- Preheat grill to medium-high. Turn the skewers over once and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked all the way through. Note: You can heat a grill pan with a little olive oil over medium-high heat until it’s HOT. After you add the skewers, cook them until they are golden brown on all sides, which should take about 5 to 7 minutes total.
- Set the rack about 5 to 6 inches below the top of the oven and heat it up to broil. Put the skewers on a large baking sheet. Broil the chicken for 6 to 8 minutes, turning it once, until it is golden brown and cooked all the way through.
- Place the skewers on a serving plate and top them with chopped fresh parsley. If you want, you can serve it with garlic rice, a Greek salad, tzatziki sauce, and warm pita bread. Enjoy.
Hi, Im Pam. The recipes you’ll find here are family-friendly, simple, and range from healthy to decadent. I hope you find a recipe or two that your family will enjoy.