Chicken souvlaki is a hugely popular Greek street food that is made by marinating chicken in a blend of Mediterranean herbs and spices, threading the chicken onto skewers, and grilling it until perfectly tender and full of flavor. When served wrapped in warm fluffy pita bread and topped with cooling tzatziki sauce, it is no wonder this classic Greek recipe has become so beloved around the world.
In this article, I’ll walk you through the entire process of how to make truly authentic and delicious Greek chicken souvlaki at home, from the essential ingredients and marinade to expert tips for grilling it perfectly Let’s get started!
The Key Ingredients for Chicken Souvlaki
Chicken souvlaki requires just a handful of simple ingredients that infuse it with the signature flavors we love. Here are the essentials
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Chicken – Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs are best. Cut into 1-inch cubes.
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Extra Virgin Olive Oil – For the marinade and drizzling. You’ll need about 1/4 cup
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Lemon Juice – Freshly squeezed is ideal. You’ll need about 3 tablespoons.
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Garlic – 2-3 cloves, finely minced. You can also use garlic powder.
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Dried Oregano – 1-2 tablespoons will do. This herb is quintessentially Greek.
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Salt and Pepper – For seasoning the chicken. Use about 1/2 teaspoon each.
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Skewers – Soak wooden skewers in water first to prevent burning. Metal skewers work too.
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Pita Bread – Warm or toast pita bread to serve the souvlaki in.
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Tzatziki Sauce – A must for drizzling over the souvlaki. Easy to make fresh.
That’s really all you need for incredible Greek chicken souvlaki. Now let’s make that marinade!
Creating the Perfect Souvlaki Marinade
The marinade is truly what sets chicken souvlaki apart and gives it its robust Mediterranean flavors.
Here are my tips for making the best souvlaki marinade:
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Use Equal Parts Olive Oil and Lemon Juice – This balance of flavors is ideal. Start with 1/4 cup of each.
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Include Lots of Oregano – At least 2 tablespoons of this quintessential Greek herb.
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Don’t Skimp on the Garlic – 2-3 cloves minced gives great flavor. Or use 1 teaspoon garlic powder.
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Season Generously With Salt and Pepper – Use about 1/2 teaspoon each to start.
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Let it Marinate – Allow the chicken to soak in this marinade for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight.
Simply combine all the marinade ingredients in a ziplock bag or baking dish, add the chicken, and let those flavors mingle before grilling. Easy peasy!
Grilling Tips for Juicy, Flavorful Chicken Souvlaki
Once your chicken has marinated, it’s time to grill it up. Use these tips for the best results:
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Skewer the Chicken Loosely – Leave space between pieces so it cooks evenly. Don’t overcrowd.
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Use a Very Hot Grill – You want nice char marks. Cook over direct high heat.
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Flip the Skewers Frequently – Turn them every 2-3 minutes to prevent burning.
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Cook Until Just Done – Chicken is done at an internal temp of 165°F. Don’t overcook!
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Let it Rest Briefly – 5 minutes wrapped in foil allows juices to redistribute.
It only takes 8-10 minutes to grill souvlaki to juicy perfection. Now let’s talk serving suggestions!
How to Serve Chicken Souvlaki for Maximum Deliciousness
Chicken souvlaki is so versatile. Here are some of my favorite ways to serve it:
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In Warm Pita Bread – Stuff pitas with tzatziki, lettuce, tomato, onion, and souvlaki.
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Over a Greek Salad – Heap the skewers over a fresh salad with feta cheese.
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With Rice or Orzo – Souvlaki pairs well with Mediterranean-style rice or orzo.
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As the Protein on a Meze Platter – Offer souvlaki alongside classic dips like hummus, baba ghanoush, dolmas, and pita.
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On Top of Couscous – Skewers served over couscous makes a complete meal.
However you choose to serve it, Greek chicken souvlaki is the perfect balance of savory, bright, and satisfying flavors in every bite. Opa!
Expert Tips for Making Perfect Chicken Souvlaki at Home
Here are my top tips for nailing delicious homemade chicken souvlaki every time:
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Choose bone-in chicken thighs for more flavor and moisture. Breasts work too.
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Cut the chicken into equal 1-inch cubes so it cooks evenly on the grill.
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Marinate the chicken for at least 2 hours, or up to overnight in the fridge.
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Use both dried and fresh oregano for complex herby flavor.
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Brush the pitas with olive oil or butter before lightly toasting them.
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Make the tzatziki sauce ahead of time so the flavors blend.
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Opt for full-fat Greek yogurt in the tzatziki for richest texture.
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Sprinkle the hot souvlaki with lemon juice right before serving.
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Pair the souvlaki with a crisp Greek white wine like Assyrtiko.
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Store leftover chicken separate from tzatziki to prevent sogginess.
Now you’re ready to make professional-level chicken souvlaki in your own kitchen!
Frequently Asked Questions About Chicken Souvlaki
What is the traditional way to prepare chicken souvlaki?
The traditional method is to marinate bite-sized chicken pieces in olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, and seasonings, then thread them onto skewers and grill over very high heat until cooked through and slightly charred.
What is the difference between souvlaki and gyros?
Souvlaki refers to the meat grilled on skewers. Gyros is made from stacked seasoned meat roasted on a vertical rotisserie. The terms are sometimes used interchangeably.
Can you make chicken souvlaki in the oven?
Yes, you can bake the skewers in the oven at 400°F for 18-20 minutes until cooked through. Finish under the broiler for charring.
What is the white sauce served with chicken souvlaki?
The traditional sauce paired with souvlaki is tzatziki. This Greek sauce is made from strained yogurt, cucumber, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and herbs.
How long does souvlaki last in the fridge?
Properly stored in airtight containers, the chicken and tzatziki will keep for 3-5 days refrigerated. Pita bread is best freshly warmed.
How to Make Chicken Souvlaki
Combine the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, crushed red pepper flakes, sea salt, and freshly cracked pepper, to taste, in a large ziplock bag; seal and squish around until well combined.
Add the chicken pieces to the zip lock bag, seal, and refrigerator for 30 minutes up to 2 hours.
Remove the chicken pieces from the marinade and thread them onto skewers. Discard the bag and the remaining marinade. Season the skewers with a bit more sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, if desired.
Preheat grill to medium-high. Place skewers on the grill and cook for 6-8 minutes, turning once, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through.
Side Note: You can use a grill pan over medium-high heat with a bit of olive oil until HOT. Add the skewers and cook on all sides until golden brown, about 5-7 minutes on all sides, or until cooked through.
Preheat the oven to broil and place the rack about 5-6 inches from the top of the oven. Place skewers on a large baking sheet, and broil for 6-8 minutes, turning once, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through.
Transfer skewers to a serving plate and sprinkle the top with fresh chopped parsley. Serve with garlic rice, a greek salad, tzatziki sauce, and warm pita bread, if desired. Enjoy.
- Wooden Skewers
- Grill Pan or Grill
- 1½ lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Juice from 1 large lemon
- 5 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
- Sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Make the marinade by combining the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, crushed red pepper flakes, sea salt, and freshly cracked pepper, to taste, in a large ziplock bag; seal and squish around until well combined.
- Add the chicken pieces to the zip lock bag, seal, and refrigerator for 30 minutes up to 2 hours.
- Remove the chicken pieces from the marinade and thread them onto skewers. Discard the bag and the remaining marinade. Season the skewers with a bit more sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, if desired.
- Preheat grill to medium-high. Place skewers on the grill and cook for 6-8 minutes, turning once, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Side Note: You can use a grill pan over medium-high heat with a bit of olive oil until HOT. Add the skewers and cook on all sides until golden brown, about 5-7 minutes on all sides, or until cooked through.
- Preheat oven to broil and place the rack about 5-6 inches from the top of the oven. Place skewers on a large baking sheet, and broil for 6-8 minutes, turning once, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through.
- Transfer skewers to a serving plate and sprinkle the top with fresh chopped parsley. Serve with garlic rice, a greek salad, tzatziki sauce, and warm pita bread, if desired. Enjoy.
Hi, Im Pam. The recipes you’ll find here are family-friendly, simple, and range from healthy to decadent. I hope you find a recipe or two that your family will enjoy.