Chicken souvlaki has to be one of my favorite chicken dishes ever. I always thought it would be difficult to make, but it's actually super simple. The marinade uses common ingredients, and these legit taste like they're straight out of Greece!
Looking for more easy recipes? Pair this with my easy tzatziki sauce or hummus recipes!
About This Recipe
This was my first time making chicken souvlaki! I ended up doing a few trial runs to get the marinade and charring right, but I'm super happy with the result. I've had souvlaki many times at restaurants, but I think these homemade ones are even better.
The marinade is super simple... just olive oil, lemon juice, herbs, and garlic. It's really not complicated at all. I was surprised at how flavorful these got. The key is to marinate them for at least 30 minutes. This gives time for the marinade to tenderize and flavor the meat sufficiently. If you don't marinate long enough, the chicken can come out dry and bland.
Another important aspect is using a GRILL PAN. I highly recommend a cast-iron grill pan, because it'll let you get the temperature very hot without damaging the pan. Or if you have an outdoor grill, you can use that. Grill pans are great because the grates allow better air flow, so moisture can escape, and you get a better char.
Alright.. enough talking. Let's get to the recipe!
Key Ingredients
Chicken breasts: I used 2 large chicken breasts, and I cut them into 1-inch cubes. I recommend cutting the chicken into no bigger than 1-inch pieces because large pieces will take too long to cook, and you risk drying out the meat.
Olive oil: Oil is important for the marinade because it helps draw out flavors from the herbs and garlic.
Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed juice is a must here. The acidity from the lemons tenderizes the meat as it marinates.
Garlic: I used 3 cloves, which is about 1 tablespoon.
Herbs & spices: Dried oregano, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
Instructions
STEP 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, oregano, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
STEP 2: Add the chicken and mix to evenly coat. Marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
STEP 3: Thread the chicken pieces onto the skewers, leaving a little space between piece. I had to cut my skewers in half so they could fit in my grill pan. I recommend using a pair of garden shears to cut them!
STEP 4: Preheat your grill pan over medium-high heat until hot. Spray with a bit of oil, then add the skewers to the pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until charred and cooked through.
๐ Recipe
Chicken Souvlaki
Ingredients
- 2 large chicken breasts (cut into 1-inch cubes)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic (about 3 cloves)
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ยฝ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, oregano, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Add the chicken and mix to evenly coat. Marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. In the meantime, soak 6 skewers in a shallow dish of cold water.
- Thread the chicken pieces onto the skewers, leaving a little space between piece.
- Preheat a grill over medium-high heat. Spray the pan with oil. Add the skewers and cook for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until chicken reaches 155ยฐF.
- Serve with pita and tzatziki sauce. Feel free to drizzle on some olive oil and serve with a plate of veggies.
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