Greek Chicken Souvlaki Recipe

Our Greek Chicken Souvlaki recipe brings the simple and amazing flavors you’ll find traveling through the Mediterranean to your home kitchen (or backyard).

Chicken souvlaki is one of the most beloved Greek street foods, and for good reason. It's the kind of meal that feels both light and satisfying, with layers of bold Mediterranean flavor in every bite.

The marinade is the real star of the show when it comes to Greek chicken souvlaki. Made with simple ingredients like olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, garlic, salt, and pepper, imparting a flavor your whole family is going to love!.

Massage the marinade into your chicken breast, and let it do its magic for at least 2 hours (overnight is best) before skewering and grilling.

Our Chicken souvlaki recipe is perfect for a busy weeknight and one of my favorite meal prep dishes. You can serve it with vegetables, rice, over a salad, or wrapped in warm pita bread.

For the full experience, serve our chicken souvlaki with a dollop or two of our creamy Tzatziki Sauce and triangles of warm pita bread. If you’re in the mood for a sandwich, wrap the chicken in a warm pita with lettuce, tomato, and feta cheese.

Ingredients

Gather the ingredients to prepare our Greek chicken souvlaki recipe. Culinary professionals call this the “Mise en Place,” which means "everything in its Place."

Setting up your ingredients not only helps speed up the cooking process but also ensures you have all the necessary ingredients on hand to make the recipe.

Can I Make Adjustments to the Recipe?

We used our gas grill to make the recipe, but if you don’t have one or do not feel like making the trek outside, a grill pan is a great alternative.

You can also bake, or even make the recipe in a large sauté pan; you just won’t get the smoky flavor or grill marks.

Marinate the chicken with plain Greek yogurt instead of olive oil to add a tangy flavor to the chicken.

Recipe Variations

• Pork Souvlaki: For a more traditional option, use pork shoulder or pork tenderloin.
• Shrimp Souvlaki: Use jumbo shrimp in place of the chicken, but marinate for no longer than 30 minutes, or the shrimp will become mushy.
• Mexican Soulvaki: Add cumin and cilantro to the marinade. Swap out the feta for cojita, and for a little kick, add pickled jalapenos to the veggies.
• Vegetable Souvlaki: Marinate zucchini, peppers, onions, and mushrooms for a vegetarian twist on this classic dish. Or add them to the recipe to bulk up the veggies.
• Spicy Souvlaki: Add chili flakes or harissa to the marinade for an extra kick.
• Mediterranean Bowls: Skip the pita and serve souvlaki over rice or quinoa with roasted veggies.

How to Make Greek Chicken Souvlaki

Follow along with my simple step-by-step instructions to learn how to make Greek chicken souvlaki in your home kitchen.

• Add the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt, and black pepper to a large mixing bowl.
• Stir to combine.
• Add the cut chicken to the marinade.
• Using your hands, massage the marinade into the meat, ensuring all pieces are well-coated.

• Cover the marinated chicken with plastic Wrap and place it into the refrigerator for at least 2 hours; overnight is best.
• Remove the chicken from the fridge and let it warm up to room temperature. Stir the mixture to get a good coating on the pieces.
• Add about six pieces of chicken onto each skewer. Continue with the process until all the pieces have been used.
• When ready to cook, preheat the grill (or gas pan) to medium-high heat. Grill the skewers for 3 to 4 minutes per side, ensuring the internal temperature reaches at least 165°F.

From weeknight dinners to backyard gatherings, chicken souvlaki is the kind of recipe that never fails to impress while keeping things wonderfully simple.

Chef Tips

• Use fresh ingredients: Freshly squeezed lemon juice and chopped garlic cloves make a significant difference in the flavor of this recipe.
• High Heat Finish: Grill over high heat for those perfect charred edges.
• Rest Before Serving: Let the chicken rest for a few minutes after grilling, allowing the juices to redistribute.
• Use Metal Skewers: They hold heat and help cook the chicken evenly inside.
• Garnish with a squeeze of lemon juice and fresh chopped oregano.

If you are looking for a meal with simple ingredients, bold flavors, and an experience that brings people together around the table, skip the takeout, fire up the grill, and whip up a batch of our Greek chicken souvlaki.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve with warm pita, tzatziki, and a Greek salad for the classic combo.
• Pair with lemon-roasted potatoes or herbed rice pilaf for a more filling meal.
• Add a side of feta cheese, olives, and dolmades to make it a Greek feast.
• Perfect for BBQs, game day, or a light summer dinner.

How to Store and Reheat

Store cooked Greek chicken souvlaki in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. It can be frozen for up to two months, but I don’t recommend it. It’s best served fresh.

Reheat with a splash of broth in a skillet or oven until warm (cover with foil). Avoid microwaving, as it will dry out the chicken.

Recipe FAQs

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