Authentic Greek Chicken Souvlaki Recipe
If you crave a meal that transports you straight to the sun-kissed shores of Greece, Authentic Greek Chicken Souvlaki deserves a place on your table. This crowd-pleasing dish features succulent chunks of marinated chicken, threaded with vibrant vegetables, and grilled to perfection on wooden skewers. With its lemony, herb-infused flavors and tempting aroma, it’s no wonder this beloved Greek classic is a favorite at gatherings and weeknight dinners alike.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of Authentic Greek Chicken Souvlaki is in its simplicity—every ingredient matters, each playing a role in building bold flavor, juicy texture, and irresistible visual appeal. Gather these essentials for an impressive, easy-to-make Greek feast:
- Chicken breasts: Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts for the most tender bites; cut them into uniform chunks for even cooking.
- Olive oil: Choose a high-quality extra-virgin olive oil for rich flavor and to help the marinade cling beautifully to the chicken.
- Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed is best—its tangy brightness is a signature note in Authentic Greek Chicken Souvlaki.
- Garlic: Mince your cloves as fine as possible for deep, aromatic flavor in every morsel.
- Dried oregano: This classic Greek herb infuses the chicken with earthy, floral notes.
- Dried thyme: Adds subtle warmth and pairs perfectly with oregano for a distinctive Greek profile.
- Salt: Essential for seasoning and bringing out the flavors of both chicken and veggies, so don’t be shy.
- Black pepper: Freshly ground black pepper offers mild heat and extra complexity.
- Red onion: Cut into large chunks to provide sweetness and a pop of color that caramelizes on the grill.
- Red bell pepper: These pieces add sweetness and a lovely red hue to your skewers.
- Green bell pepper: For a crisp texture and slightly grassy bitterness to balance the dish.
- Wooden skewers (soaked): Soaking your skewers prevents burning and splintering on the grill—don’t skip this simple step.
How to Make Authentic Greek Chicken Souvlaki
Step 1: Prepare the Marinade
Start by preparing your flavor-packed marinade. In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. This fragrant mixture is the heart of Authentic Greek Chicken Souvlaki, and as you stir it together, you’ll get a burst of those unmistakably Mediterranean aromas.
Step 2: Marinate Chicken
Add the chicken chunks straight into the bowl with your marinade. Toss everything until every piece of chicken is thoroughly coated. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it chill in the fridge for at least one hour—overnight if you can plan ahead. The longer it marinates, the deeper those zesty, herbal flavors soak in.
Step 3: Prepare Your Grill
When you’re ready to cook, fire up your grill or grill pan and bring it to medium-high heat. A properly heated grill ensures you get that tantalizing char while keeping the chicken juicy inside. If you haven’t already, now’s the time to soak your wooden skewers in water to keep them from burning.
Step 4: Assemble the Skewers
Alternate threading the marinated chicken pieces, red onion, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper onto your soaked wooden skewers. Aim for an even balance of chicken and veggies on each skewer—this will give your finished dish fabulous color and flavor in every bite.
Step 5: Grill to Perfection
Place your assembled skewers on the preheated grill. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is beautifully cooked through and the vegetables have those signature grill marks and tender edges. Your kitchen or backyard will be filled with the inviting smell of Authentic Greek Chicken Souvlaki eagerly awaiting the table.
How to Serve Authentic Greek Chicken Souvlaki
Garnishes
Sprinkle your skewers with a handful of fresh chopped parsley or a squeeze of extra lemon juice for a pop of color and citrusy zing. Offering a bowl of creamy tzatziki sauce alongside is practically a must—the cool yogurt and cucumber offset the warmth of the grilled chicken perfectly.
Side Dishes
Authentic Greek Chicken Souvlaki pairs beautifully with warm pita bread, classic Greek salad, lemon roasted potatoes, or a simple bed of fluffy rice pilaf. Each side brings out different notes in the souvlaki, making every meal feel like a feast.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving your souvlaki as a hearty wrap: stuff the chicken and veggies into pita with tzatziki, sliced tomatoes, and crisp lettuce. For parties, slide smaller portions onto mini skewers for bite-sized appetizers that will disappear in moments.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Authentic Greek Chicken Souvlaki makes an incredible lunch the next day. Store any extras in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Be sure to keep any sauce and pita separate for the freshest results.
Freezing
You can freeze the marinated, uncooked chicken in a sealed bag for up to two months—just thaw it overnight in the fridge before grilling. Once cooked, the skewers also freeze well. Just remove from the skewers and store in a freezer-safe container.
Reheating
To bring your souvlaki back to life, gently reheat it in a hot skillet, letting it warm through while crisping the edges, or place it in the oven at 175°C (350°F) until heated. Avoid microwaving if you can, to preserve those irresistible grill flavors.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs are a bit juicier and add rich flavor to Authentic Greek Chicken Souvlaki. Just be sure to trim any excess fat and cut them into similar-sized pieces for even grilling.
What’s the ideal marinating time?
While an hour works well for a busy schedule, marinating your chicken overnight infuses deeper flavor and results in even more tender meat. If possible, plan ahead for best results.
How do I prevent my skewers from burning?
Soak your wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes before threading on meat and veggies. This trick keeps the skewers from charring or catching fire while on the grill.
Is it possible to make Authentic Greek Chicken Souvlaki indoors?
Yes! If the weather isn’t cooperating, use a stove-top grill pan or even your oven’s broiler to recreate those perfectly charred edges. Either way, you’ll still capture the dearly-loved flavors of souvlaki.
What other vegetables work for the skewers?
Feel free to swap in yellow bell peppers, zucchini slices, or cherry tomatoes. Combining different veggies adds unique flavor and makes your Authentic Greek Chicken Souvlaki even more colorful and fun to eat.
Final Thoughts
This recipe for Authentic Greek Chicken Souvlaki brings the timeless spirit of Greek cuisine to your kitchen, filling the air with savory, lemony aromas and the table with color and joy. Give it a try, gather your friends or family, and enjoy a vibrant meal that will surely become a new favorite!
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Authentic Greek Chicken Souvlaki Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Enjoy the taste of Greece with this flavorful Authentic Greek Chicken Souvlaki recipe. Tender chicken marinated in Mediterranean spices, threaded onto skewers with colorful vegetables, and grilled to perfection. Served with creamy tzatziki sauce and warm pita bread, it’s a delicious meal that brings the essence of Greek cuisine to your table.
Ingredients
Marinade:
- 680 g boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into chunks
- 60 ml olive oil
- 60 ml freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Skewers:
- 1 red onion, cut into large chunks
- 1 red bell pepper, cut into large pieces
- 1 green bell pepper, cut into large pieces
- Wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
- Marinate Chicken: Add chicken pieces to the bowl and toss to thoroughly coat with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or overnight for optimal flavor.
- Prepare Grill: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
- Assemble Skewers: Thread marinated chicken, alternating with red onion, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper pieces onto soaked wooden skewers.
- Grill Skewers: Grill assembled skewers for 8–10 minutes, turning occasionally, until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are lightly charred and tender.
- Serve chicken souvlaki hot, accompanied by tzatziki sauce and optionally warm pita bread.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 skewer
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: Greek Chicken Souvlaki, Grilled Chicken Skewers, Mediterranean Cuisine
