Chicken Souvlaki

Chicken souvlaki is a classic Greek dish made with juicy, marinated chunks of chicken that are skewered and grilled until perfectly tender and slightly charred. Originating from Greece, souvlaki has been a staple of Mediterranean cuisine for centuries, known for its simple ingredients and bold, fresh flavors. Whether wrapped in pita with toppings or served alongside a fresh salad, this dish is a delicious way to switch up the usual chicken and rice with some mouthwatering flavour.

Components

• Chicken breast
• Garlic
• Lemon
• Olive oil
• Greek yogurt
• Oregano
• Fresh rosemary
• Coriander seeds
• Black pepper
• Salt
• Mustard
• Butter
• Lemon juice

Sauce/Dressing

• Mayonnaise
• Avocado oil
• White vinegar
• Lemon juice
• Garlic powder
• Black pepper
• Oregano
• Salt

The Marinade: Flavor Secrets

The secret to delicious chicken souvlaki is all in the marinade. With just a few simple ingredients, you can turn plain chicken into juicy, flavorful skewers that taste like they’re straight from Greece. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in bringing out the best of flavors:

• Garlic – Adds a strong, tasty flavor that makes the chicken savory and delicious.
• Lemon – Gives the chicken a fresh, tangy taste and helps make it tender.
• Olive Oil – Keeps the chicken juicy and helps the flavors stick to the meat.
• Greek Yogurt – Makes the chicken creamy and tender while adding a little tang.
• Oregano – A key herb that gives the marinade its classic Greek flavor.
• Fresh Rosemary – Adds a fresh, pine-like taste that brightens the marinade.
• Coriander Seeds – Gives a warm, slightly citrusy flavor that adds depth.
• Black Pepper – Adds a gentle spicy kick to enhance the overall taste.
• Salt – Brings out all the other flavors and helps keep the chicken moist.
• Mustard – Adds tang and helps mix the oil and lemon juice well, boosting flavor.

Marinate your chicken for at least 2 to 3 hours, but overnight is best for maximum flavor. If you’re in a rush, even 30 minutes can make a difference!

How to cook Chicken Souvlaki?

Once your chicken is marinated and full of flavor, it’s time to cook it! You can grill it, cook it on a stovetop or bake it in the oven.

1. Grilling (Best for flavor) – grilling gives the chicken a smoky, charred taste!
   • Preheat your grill to medium-high
   • Thread chicken onto skewers
   • Grill for 10-12 minutes, turning every few minutes, until fully cooked and slightly charred.
2. Pan-Searing (Quick & easy)
   • Heat some olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat
   • Add chicken (with or without skewers)
   • Cook for 8-10 minutes, turning to brown all sides, until fully cooked
3. Oven Roasting (Good for larger batches)
   • Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C)
   • Place skewers on a baking tray
   • Bake for 20-25 minutes, turning halfway through. Broil for the last 2-3 minutes for a charred finish

Serving Suggestions

Chicken souvlaki is delicious and easy to serve in a ton of way. My go to is serving it with a side of fluffy greek inspired yellow rice with a greek salad of course. Or try it wrapped in soft pita with tzatziki, tomatoes, and onions for a classic Greek-style meal, or serve just fresh veggies for a quick and light lunch. It’s also great on a mezze platter with dips, olives, and warm pita, or tossed on top of a crisp Greek salad. No matter how you serve it, it’s full of flavour and always a hit!

Storage & Leftovers

Leftover chicken souvlaki is easy to store and perfect for quick meals. Let it cool, then keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days, or freeze it for up to 2 months. To reheat, use a pan with a little oil, pop it in the oven, or microwave it if you’re in a hurry. You can enjoy the leftovers in so many ways—toss them into a salad or rice bowl, make a quick pita wrap, add them to a breakfast scramble, or even turn them into a cheesy quesadilla with flatbread.

Tools used for the perfect chicken souvlaki skewers

• 8″ metal skewers
• non-stick grill pan
• immersion blender

5 from 2 votes

Chicken Souvlaki

This authentic Greek chicken souvlaki recipe features tender, marinated chicken skewers grilled to perfection with bold flavors of lemon, garlic, and oregano. It's easy to make and perfect for serving in pita wraps, rice bowls, or alongside a fresh salad. A delicious taste of the Mediterranean in every bite!

Recipe Keys: C Chicken

Print Recipe

Prep Time 20 mins Cook Time 10 mins Total Time 30 mins

Ingredients

Chicken

• 3 chicken breast
• 6-8 garlic cloves
• ¹⁄₄ cup lemon juice (1.5 lemons)
• ¹⁄₄ cup olive oil
• 2 tbsp greek yogurt
• 1 tsp oregano (heaping)
• 2 tsp fresh rosemary (1-2 sprigs)
• ¹⁄₂ tsp coriander seeds (ground)
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp mustard (heaping)

Lemon butter

• 3 tbsp butter
• 1.5 tbsp lemon (1/2 a lemon)

Greek salad

• 1.5 romaine lettuce
• 1 cup cherry tomato
• 2 mini cucumbers
• ¹⁄₂ - 1 red onion
• feta cheese

Sauce/dressing

• ¹⁄₂ cup mayo
• 2 tbsp avocado oil
• 1 tbsp white vinegar
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• ¹⁄₂ tsp garlic powder
• ¹⁄₂ tsp black pepper
• ¹⁄₄ tsp oregano
• ¹⁄₄ tsp salt

Instructions

1. Start by cutting the chicken into bite-sized cubes. preparing the marinade ingredients by mincing garlic cloves, finely chop rosemary leaves and grind coriander seeds. 

2. Prepare the marinade by combining olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, greek yogurt, oregano, rosemary, ground coriander, salt, black pepper and mustard. Add in the chicken and mix well. Marianne ideally for 2–4 hours for tender chicken. 

3. While the chicken marinates, make the Greek-style dressing by combining mayonnaise, avocado oil, white vinegar, lemon juice, garlic powder, black pepper, oregano and salt. Blend using an immersion blender until well combined. 

4. Prepare the salad ingredients by chopping romaine lettuce, cherry tomato, cucumbers, red onion and feta cheese.

5. When ready to cook, line the marinated chicken onto metal skewers. 

6. Gently melt some butter in a small pan, then squeeze in fresh lemon juice and stir to combine—this will be your basting sauce.

7. Preheat an outdoor grill or a grill pan to medium-high heat. Grill the chicken skewers for about 3 minutes on each side until grill marks are apparent, brushing the chicken with lemon butter in between cooking. Then cover with a lid, reduce the heat to low and cook for another 5 minutes. 

1. Drizzle the greek style dressing over the salad and chicken to enjoy.