Chicken Souvlaki
Chicken Souvlaki is a popular Greek dish known for its flavorful marinated chicken, grilled to perfection. It’s perfect for summer cookouts, quick weeknight dinners, or any time you crave something tasty and easy to make. With its simple ingredients and delicious serving options, this dish can be enjoyed in so many ways.
Why Make This Recipe
Making Chicken Souvlaki is a great choice for several reasons. First, it’s easy to prepare, requiring just a bit of marinating time. Second, the combination of lemon, garlic, and oregano gives the chicken an incredible flavor that everyone will love. Lastly, this dish is very versatile. You can serve it with warm pita bread, tzatziki sauce, and fresh veggies, making it an option for many different tastes and preferences.
How to Make Chicken Souvlaki
Ingredients:
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into 1.5-inch pieces
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Wooden or metal skewers
- Warm pita bread (optional)
- Tzatziki sauce (optional)
- Chopped tomatoes (optional)
- Cucumber (optional)
- Red onion (optional)
- Fresh parsley or dill (optional)
Directions:
- In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Add chicken pieces to the bowl and toss to coat them well.
- Cover the bowl and marinate the chicken in the fridge for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours for better flavor.
- Preheat your grill or grill pan over medium-high heat.
- Thread the marinated chicken onto skewers.
- Grill the chicken for 8–10 minutes, turning occasionally until it’s fully cooked and has nice char marks.
- Serve hot with warm pita, tzatziki sauce, and fresh veggies.
How to Serve Chicken Souvlaki
To serve Chicken Souvlaki, offer warm pita bread on the side along with tzatziki sauce. You can also add chopped tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and fresh herbs like parsley or dill for a complete meal. Simply encourage your guests to build their own wraps with the chicken, pita, and toppings.
How to Store Chicken Souvlaki
If you have leftovers, store the cooked Chicken Souvlaki in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should stay fresh for about 3-4 days. You can reheat it in a skillet or microwave when you’re ready to eat it again. To store the uncooked marinated chicken, cover it and keep it in the fridge for up to 4 hours before grilling.
Tips to Make Chicken Souvlaki
- Make sure to cut the chicken into uniform pieces to ensure even cooking.
- For extra flavor, you can marinate the chicken overnight.
- If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes before grilling to prevent burning.
Variation
You can easily adapt this recipe by using different proteins like shrimp or tofu. You can also add bell peppers or zucchini to the skewers for added flavor and color.
FAQs
1. Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Yes, you can use chicken breasts. They will be slightly drier but still delicious.
2. What can I serve with Chicken Souvlaki?
You can serve it with Mediterranean sides like a Greek salad, roasted vegetables, or rice.
3. Is Chicken Souvlaki spicy?
No, Chicken Souvlaki is not spicy. The flavors come from marinade herbs like oregano and garlic, making it savory rather than spicy.
Enjoy making and sharing this delightful Chicken Souvlaki with family and friends!
