Chicken Souvlaki with Tzatziki Sauce

Byyasin
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If you love juicy grilled chicken with bright lemon flavor and aromatic herbs, these Greek Chicken Souvlaki Skewers will quickly become a favorite in your kitchen. Tender chicken pieces soak in a simple Mediterranean marinade, then get grilled until lightly charred and smoky. The real magic happens when you dip them into cool, garlicky homemade tzatziki sauce — fresh, creamy, and incredibly satisfying.

This recipe is easy enough for weeknights but special enough for gatherings. You can serve it as an appetizer, wrap it in pita bread, or plate it with rice and salad for a full Greek-style meal.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Bright lemon-garlic flavor
  • Juicy, tender grilled chicken
  • Fresh homemade tzatziki sauce
  • Perfect for BBQs, lunches, or dinners
  • Easy marinade with pantry ingredients

Ingredients Explained

For the Chicken Marinade

  • Olive oil – keeps chicken moist and carries the herb flavors
  • Garlic – gives the signature Greek aroma
  • Lemon juice – tenderizes and adds freshness
  • Dried oregano – classic Mediterranean herb flavor
  • Salt – enhances all flavors
  • Chicken breast – lean, tender, and absorbs marinade beautifully
  • Wooden skewers – for grilling (soaked to prevent burning)

For the Tzatziki Sauce

  • Greek yogurt – thick and creamy base
  • Cucumber – refreshing crunch and cooling effect
  • Olive oil – smooth richness
  • White vinegar – slight tang
  • Garlic – bold flavor
  • Salt – balances the sauce

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Marinate the Chicken

  1. In a large bowl or zip bag, combine olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, oregano, and salt.
  2. Add chicken pieces and coat well.
  3. Seal and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (overnight for best flavor).

2. Prepare the Tzatziki Sauce

  1. In a bowl mix yogurt, grated cucumber, olive oil, vinegar, garlic, and salt.
  2. Cover and refrigerate 1–2 hours so flavors blend.

3. Prepare the Skewers

  1. Soak wooden skewers in water for 15 minutes.
  2. Preheat grill to medium-high heat and oil the grates.

4. Assemble

Thread marinated chicken pieces onto skewers.
Discard leftover marinade.

5. Grill the Souvlaki

  1. Place skewers on the grill.
  2. Cook about 7–8 minutes per side, turning occasionally.
  3. Chicken should be golden brown and fully cooked (no pink inside).

6. Serve

Serve hot with chilled tzatziki sauce.
Optional: pita bread, salad, rice, or roasted potatoes.

Tips & Variations

  • Overnight marination = deeper flavor
  • Add paprika or chili flakes for mild heat
  • Works great with chicken thighs for extra juiciness
  • Same marinade can be used for pork souvlaki
  • No grill? Cook in a grill pan or oven broiler

Storage & Reheating

Fridge: Store cooked chicken up to 3 days in airtight container
Freezer: Freeze grilled chicken up to 2 months

Reheat:

  • Pan: 3–4 minutes medium heat
  • Oven: 180°C (350°F) for 8–10 minutes
  • Avoid microwave too long (dries chicken)

Tzatziki should always be kept refrigerated and used within 2 days.

Greek Chicken Souvlaki Skewers

Juicy grilled Greek chicken skewers marinated in lemon, garlic and oregano, served with creamy homemade tzatziki sauce.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Appetizer, BBQ, Dinner, Grilled, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: Greek, Mediterranean
Calories: 268
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 pounds chicken breast cut into bite-size pieces
  • 6 wooden skewers
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 pounds chicken breast cut into bite-size pieces
  • 6 wooden skewers
  • Tzatziki Sauce:
  • 1 cup Greek yogurt 6 oz
  • 1/2 cucumber peeled, seeded, grated
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons white vinegar
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • Pinch of salt

Method
 

  1. Combine olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, oregano and salt.
  2. Add chicken and marinate in refrigerator for 2 hours.
  3. Mix all tzatziki sauce ingredients and refrigerate 1–2 hours.
  4. Soak wooden skewers in water for 15 minutes.
  5. Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
  6. Thread chicken onto skewers.
  7. Grill 7–8 minutes per side until cooked through.
  8. Serve hot with chilled tzatziki sauce.

Notes

  • Marinate overnight for stronger flavor
  • Chicken thighs can be used instead of breast
  • Bake at 425°F for 18 minutes if no grill available

FAQs

Can I bake instead of grill?
Yes — bake at 220°C / 425°F for about 18 minutes.

Can I use metal skewers?
Yes, soaking is only needed for wooden skewers.

Why squeeze cucumber water?
Prevents watery tzatziki sauce.

Can I make ahead?
Yes — marinate chicken overnight and sauce a day earlier.

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