Greek Chicken Souvlaki
The souvlaki marinade is deliberately simple: olive oil, lemon, garlic and oregano only. The ideal window is two to four hours — any longer and the lemon's acid begins to cure the meat and turns its texture mealy.
- Prep
- 140 min
- Cook
- 15 min
- Total
- 155 min
- Calories
- 390
Souvlaki is the most famous street food in Greece, sold wrapped in pita with tzatziki and chips. The recipe is very easy with few ingredients — what sets it apart is dried Greek oregano and lemon.
Method
-
1
Marinate
Mix all the marinade ingredients, toss the chicken cubes through them, and refrigerate covered for two to four hours — no longer.
⏱ 130 min -
2
The tzatziki
Grate the cucumber and squeeze it hard in a cloth. Mix it with the yogurt, garlic, olive oil, vinegar and dill. Chill for an hour.
⏱ 12 min -
3
Skewer
Thread the chicken onto skewers without packing it — leave space between the pieces so the heat can circulate.
⏱ 8 min -
4
Grill
On a very hot grill or griddle pan, cook for 10 to 12 minutes, turning every 3 minutes, until browned edges form.
⏱ 13 min -
5
Rest
Leave the skewers covered for 3 minutes before serving — the juices redistribute.
⏱ 3 min -
6
Serve
Warm the pita, fill it with the chicken, tzatziki, onion and tomato, or serve the skewers with the bread alongside.
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Tips that actually matter
- Do not marinate beyond 4 hours — the lemon's acid cures the meat and turns it mealy.
- Dried oregano is stronger than fresh here, and it is the Greek signature.
- Squeeze the cucumber for the tzatziki — without it the sauce goes watery within an hour.
- Leave gaps between pieces on the skewer so they brown rather than steam.
People also ask
What is the difference between souvlaki and gyros?
Souvlaki is pieces of meat on a skewer. Gyros is meat cooked on a vertical rotating spit and shaved into thin slices (like shawarma). Both are served in pita with the same accompaniments.
Can I use lamb?
Yes — lamb is the original in some regions. Same marinade, and slightly shorter grilling for beef.
How long does the tzatziki keep?
3 days in the fridge, and it improves on the second day. If it weeps, drain the liquid and stir.
Cook mode
Greek Chicken Souvlaki
-
1
Marinate
Mix all the marinade ingredients, toss the chicken cubes through them, and refrigerate covered for two to four hours — no longer.
-
2
The tzatziki
Grate the cucumber and squeeze it hard in a cloth. Mix it with the yogurt, garlic, olive oil, vinegar and dill. Chill for an hour.
-
3
Skewer
Thread the chicken onto skewers without packing it — leave space between the pieces so the heat can circulate.
-
4
Grill
On a very hot grill or griddle pan, cook for 10 to 12 minutes, turning every 3 minutes, until browned edges form.
-
5
Rest
Leave the skewers covered for 3 minutes before serving — the juices redistribute.
-
6
Serve
Warm the pita, fill it with the chicken, tzatziki, onion and tomato, or serve the skewers with the bread alongside.
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