Description
Experience the authentic flavors of Athens with this Greek Chicken Souvlaki recipe featuring a bold marinade and traditional Tzatziki sauce. Perfectly grilled chicken skewers are served with fresh pita and veggie fixings, creating a delicious Mediterranean meal ready in 25 minutes plus marinating time.
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
- Sliced cucumber
- Sliced onions
- Kalamata olives
Optional Sides
- Greek salad
- Roasted garlic hummus
- Mezze platter
- Watermelon and cucumber salad
Instructions
- Prepare marinade: In a small food processor bowl, combine garlic, oregano, rosemary, paprika, salt, pepper, olive oil, white wine, and lemon juice. Pulse until well mixed, but do not add bay leaves yet.
- Marinate chicken: Place bay leaves and chicken pieces into a large bowl. Pour marinade over chicken, toss to coat evenly. Cover tightly and refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight; for a quicker option, marinate 30 minutes at room temperature.
- Soak skewers and prep fixings: Soak 10 to 12 wooden skewers in water for 30 to 45 minutes. Prepare Tzatziki sauce, slice vegetables and olives, and prepare any optional sides in advance.
- Thread chicken pieces: Remove chicken from marinade and thread evenly onto soaked skewers, discarding bay leaves.
- Preheat grill: Oil grill grates and heat to medium-high. Grill chicken skewers, turning frequently and brushing lightly with marinade, until well browned and internal temperature registers 160°F, approximately 5 minutes total. Adjust grill temperature if needed. Discard leftover marinade after brushing.
- Rest and warm pitas: Transfer grilled chicken to a platter and let rest 3 minutes. Briefly grill pita bread to warm and soften.
- Assemble souvlaki: Spread Tzatziki sauce onto pita, add chicken pieces (removed from skewers), then top with sliced tomato, cucumber, onion, and Kalamata olives.
- Serve with sides: Enhance your meal with Greek salad, roasted garlic hummus, Mezze platter, or watermelon and cucumber salad as desired.
Notes
- You can marinate chicken for as little as 30 minutes at room temperature if short on time; cover while marinating.
- Grilled souvlaki keeps well up to 3 days refrigerated if chicken is removed from skewers and stored in a sealed container.
- Use high-quality Greek extra virgin olive oil and authentic spices like sweet Spanish paprika and dried rosemary for best flavor.
- Prepare sauce and some sides like hummus in advance to save time on cooking day.
- For indoor cooking, use a grill pan or griddle if outdoor grilling is not an option.
