Juicy and flavorful Greek-style chicken skewers marinated in a zesty herb blend, grilled to perfection, and served with creamy homemade tzatziki. A vibrant and healthy Mediterranean favorite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Grilled Chicken Souvlaki with Tzatziki Sauce is a fresh and wholesome dish that captures the essence of Greek cuisine. The tender chicken, infused with lemon, garlic, and oregano, grills beautifully with a golden char. Paired with the cool and tangy tzatziki sauce, it offers a perfect balance of bold flavor and creamy refreshment. It’s quick to prepare, ideal for both weeknight meals and outdoor entertaining, and easily served with salad, flatbread, or over rice for a complete meal.
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the chicken souvlaki:
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into chunks
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Wooden or metal skewers
For the tzatziki sauce:
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cucumber, grated and squeezed dry
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped (or 1/2 tsp dried)
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- Salt, to taste
Directions
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Add the chicken pieces to the marinade and toss to coat well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight for best flavor.
- While the chicken marinates, prepare the tzatziki. In a small bowl, mix the Greek yogurt, grated and drained cucumber, garlic, olive oil, dill, lemon juice, and salt. Stir until well combined. Cover and refrigerate until serving.
- Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat.
- Thread the marinated chicken chunks onto skewers.
- Grill the skewers for 10–12 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and slightly charred.
- Serve hot with the chilled tzatziki sauce, accompanied by lemon wedges, and optionally with lettuce, flatbread, or rice.
Servings and timing
This recipe serves 4–6 people. Preparation time is approximately 15 minutes, with at least 1 hour for marinating. Grilling takes about 10–12 minutes, making the total time roughly 1 hour and 30 minutes including marination.
Variations
- Spicy Souvlaki: Add red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to the marinade for added heat.
- Vegetable Skewers: Alternate chicken with chunks of bell pepper, red onion, or zucchini.
- Lamb Souvlaki: Replace chicken with cubed lamb for a traditional variation.
- Tzatziki Twist: Add a touch of mint or use sour cream for a different tang in the tzatziki.
- Low-Carb Option: Serve with a cucumber-tomato salad or cauliflower rice instead of bread or regular rice.
Storage/Reheating
Store leftover chicken souvlaki in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Tzatziki sauce can also be stored separately for the same duration.
To reheat the chicken, place it in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through or microwave in short intervals. Avoid reheating the tzatziki, as it is meant to be served cold.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes, chicken thighs can be used and will result in juicier skewers due to their higher fat content.
Is it necessary to marinate the chicken overnight?
While one hour is sufficient, marinating overnight allows the flavors to fully develop and tenderize the chicken.
Can I cook souvlaki without a grill?
Yes, you can use a grill pan or broil the skewers in the oven for similar results.
What should I serve with chicken souvlaki?
It pairs well with rice, flatbread, Greek salad, roasted vegetables, or lemon potatoes.
How do I keep wooden skewers from burning?
Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes before grilling to prevent burning.
Can I freeze the marinated chicken?
Yes, the chicken can be frozen in the marinade. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before grilling.
Is tzatziki healthy?
Tzatziki is a light and healthy sauce, rich in protein and probiotics from Greek yogurt, especially when made with fresh ingredients.
What can I use instead of dill in tzatziki?
Fresh mint or parsley can be used as alternatives to dill, offering a slightly different flavor.
Can I make tzatziki ahead of time?
Yes, tzatziki can be prepared up to 2 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
How do I prevent the tzatziki from becoming watery?
Ensure the cucumber is well-drained by squeezing out excess moisture after grating.
Conclusion
Grilled Chicken Souvlaki with Tzatziki Sauce offers a delicious and balanced combination of Mediterranean flavors. The zesty, herb-marinated chicken paired with cool, creamy tzatziki makes for a satisfying meal that’s both nourishing and crowd-pleasing. Easy to prepare and perfect for grilling season, this classic Greek dish will quickly become a staple in your rotation.
Print
Grilled Chicken Souvlaki with Tzatziki Sauce
- Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 27 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Greek
Description
Brochettes de poulet à la grecque, juteuses et savoureuses, marinées dans un mélange d’herbes aromatiques, grillées à la perfection et servies avec un tzatziki crémeux maison. Un classique méditerranéen sain et savoureux.
Ingredients
- 2 livres de poitrines de poulet désossées et sans peau, coupées en morceaux
- 3 cuillères à soupe d’huile d’olive
- 2 cuillères à soupe de jus de citron
- 2 gousses d’ail hachées
- 1 cuillère à café d’origan séché
- 1 cuillère à café de paprika
- Sel et poivre, au goût
- Brochettes en bois ou en métal
- 1 tasse de yaourt grec nature
- 1/2 concombre, râpé et pressé pour le sécher
- 1 gousse d’ail hachée
- 1 cuillère à soupe d’huile d’olive
- 1 cuillère à soupe d’aneth frais, haché (ou 1/2 cuillère à café séchée)
- 1 cuillère à café de jus de citron
- Sel, au goût
Instructions
- Dans un bol, fouettez ensemble l’huile d’olive, le jus de citron, l’ail, l’origan, le paprika, le sel et le poivre.
- Ajoutez les morceaux de poulet à la marinade, enrobez-les bien et réfrigérez pendant au moins 1 heure (ou toute la nuit pour une meilleure saveur).
- Pendant la marinade, mélanger tous les ingrédients du tzatziki dans un petit bol. Réserver au frais jusqu’au moment de servir.
- Préchauffer le gril ou la poêle à griller à feu moyen-vif.
- Enfilez le poulet mariné sur des brochettes.
- Faites griller les brochettes pendant 10 à 12 minutes, en les retournant de temps en temps, jusqu’à ce que le poulet soit bien cuit et légèrement carbonisé.
- Servir chaud avec de la sauce tzatziki, des quartiers de citron et de la laitue ou du pain plat en option.
Notes
- Faire tremper les brochettes en bois dans l’eau pendant 30 minutes pour éviter qu’elles ne brûlent.
- Pour plus de saveur, faites mariner le poulet toute la nuit.
- Le tzatziki peut être préparé à l’avance et conservé au réfrigérateur jusqu’à 3 jours.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe with sauce
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
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