Print

Fresh Greek Lemon Herb Chicken Souvlaki Skewers with Easy Homemade Tzatziki

Greek lemon herb chicken souvlaki - featured image
Print Recipe

A fresh and flavorful Greek chicken souvlaki recipe marinated in lemon and herbs, grilled to perfection and served with a creamy homemade tzatziki sauce. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners or summer cookouts.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • Juice and zest of 2 large lemons
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme or fresh, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Optional: 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
  • For the Tzatziki Sauce:
  • 1 cup Greek yogurt, full fat
  • ½ large cucumber, peeled, seeded, and grated
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the marinade by whisking together olive oil, lemon juice and zest, minced garlic, oregano, thyme, salt, pepper, and red wine vinegar if using in a medium bowl.
  2. Trim any excess fat and cut the chicken into uniform 1-inch cubes.
  3. Add the chicken pieces to the marinade, toss well to coat, cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, ideally 2 hours or overnight for deeper flavor.
  4. Grate the peeled cucumber using a box grater, then squeeze out excess liquid using a clean kitchen towel or paper towels.
  5. In a bowl, combine Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, minced garlic, chopped dill, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until smooth and chill until ready to serve.
  6. Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto soaked wooden or metal skewers, leaving space between pieces for even cooking.
  7. Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
  8. Grill the skewers for 4-5 minutes per side until golden with slight char marks and internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C). Avoid flipping too often.
  9. Let the skewers rest for 5 minutes off the heat to allow juices to redistribute.
  10. Serve hot with a generous dollop of homemade tzatziki and a wedge of lemon.

Notes

Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes before grilling to prevent burning. Marinate chicken for at least 30 minutes, ideally 2 hours or overnight for best flavor. Squeeze out excess cucumber water to avoid watery tzatziki. Rest chicken after grilling to keep it juicy. Can broil or bake skewers at 425°F for 10-12 minutes as an alternative to grilling.

Nutrition

Keywords: Greek chicken souvlaki, lemon herb chicken, grilled chicken skewers, homemade tzatziki, Mediterranean chicken, easy chicken recipe, summer cookout recipe

Find it online: https://sparklechew.com/fresh-greek-lemon-herb-chicken-souvlaki-skewers-recipe-easy-homemade-tzatziki/