Greek chicken souvlaki with tzatziki sauce is a foodie’s paradise.
It features juicy chunks of chicken marinated in a zesty blend of olive oil, garlic, lemon, and oregano.
And the cool, creamy, yogurt-based tzatziki with cucumber, garlic, and dill is utterly irresistible.
No matter the occasion, chicken souvlaki will impress.
Serve it with warm pita bread and a crisp Greek salad for a complete (and completely delicious) meal.
What is Greek Souvlaki?
Greek Souvlaki is a mouthwatering street food that’s been loved for centuries in Greece!
At its core, it’s all about skewers of juicy, marinated meat (usually pork, chicken, or lamb) grilled to perfection over an open flame.
But that’s not all! Souvlaki is typically served in a warm pita wrap, packed with fresh veggies like tomatoes and onions, and topped off with a dollop of creamy tzatziki.
You can also enjoy it with a side of fries or as a full plate with rice or salad.
Whether you’re grabbing it from a street vendor or making it at home, Greek Souvlaki is the ultimate combination of flavor, texture, and tradition.
Why You’ll Love This Greek Chicken Souvlaki Recipe with Tzatziki
Simple Preparation: With just a few ingredients, this recipe is easy for anyone to create a delicious meal.
Delicious Taste: The lemon-garlic marinade and creamy tzatziki create a mouthwatering balance of savory, tangy, and fresh flavors.
Perfect for Grilling: Ideal for summer BBQs, the grilling process adds a smoky aroma that enhances the dish’s flavors.
Meal Prep Marvel: The marinated chicken and tzatziki sauce can be prepared early. In fact, they’re even better after they’ve had some time to sit. This makes it an excellent choice for busy weeknight dinners or meal prepping for the week ahead.
Ingredients
- Chicken Breasts or Thigh: Cut it into bite-sized pieces for easy grilling and maximum flavor absorption.
- Olive Oil: A key component in both the marinade and tzatziki sauce. It provides a rich, smooth base and helps keep the chicken moist.
- Garlic: Minced garlic adds a punch of flavor to the marinade and tzatziki, elevating all the flavors.
- Lemon Juice & Zest: The bright, citrusy notes of lemon juice and zest add a refreshing tang to the marinade.
- Herbs & Spiced: You’ll need dried oregano, rosemary, parsley, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Plain Greek Yogurt: The creamy, tangy base of the tzatziki sauce. It provides a cool and refreshing contrast to the grilled chicken.
- English Cucumber: Grated and squeezed dry, it adds a fresh, crisp texture to the tzatziki sauce.
- Dried Dill Weed: A classic herb in tzatziki, offering a delicate, slightly sweet, and grassy flavor. It pairs perfectly with the yogurt and cucumber.
- Sugar: Sugar helps to balance the tanginess of the yogurt and lemon juice in the tzatziki sauce.
How to Make Greek Chicken Souvlaki with Tzatziki
Believe it or not, you can transport your taste buds to the sun-drenched shores of Greece in just a couple of hours.
This mouthwatering chicken souvlaki, complete with a cool and creamy Tzatziki sauce, needs just 20 minutes of prep and about 8 minutes on the grill.
Sure, it does need time to marinade, but that’s all hands-off!
1. MARINATE: Cut the chicken into 1-inch chunks, pat dry, and then toss in the marinade. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours.
2. GRATE: Grate the cucumber, sprinkle with salt, and let it sit for 15 minutes. Dry thoroughly with paper towels.
3. MIX: Combine the tzatziki ingredients and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
4. PREP: Soak wooden skewers in water for 30-45 minutes (if using). Preheat the grill to medium-high.
5. GRILL: Skewer the marinated chicken and grill for 3-4 minutes per side, brushing with leftover marinade.
6. SERVE: Enjoy the grilled chicken souvlaki with tzatziki, pita bread, and a Greek salad, if desired.
Tips For the Best Greek Chicken Souvlaki with Tzatziki
Each bite of this homemade souvlaki is infused with the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean.
And the traditional Greek yogurt-based sauce, elevated with grated cucumber, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and a hint of dill, is the perfect cool and refreshing complement to the grilled chicken.
Never made skewered chicken before? No worries! Just read these tips!
- Marinate overnight. It needs at least 2 hours, but the longer, the better. (If needed, you can marinade for just 30 minutes, but it won’t be as tender or flavorful.)
- Dry the cucumber. After grating the cucumber, salt it and let it sit for 15 minutes to draw out moisture. Then, thoroughly dry with paper towels. This prevents the sauce from becoming watery. Do not skip this step!
- Refrigerate the tzatziki. Let the tzatziki sauce refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Space the chicken evenly. When threading the chicken onto skewers, leave a small space between each piece to ensure even cooking. You can also add chunks of onion or pepper.
- Variations. Try using different proteins like lamb, pork, or beef. For a dairy-free option, substitute the tzatziki with tahini sauce.
- Serving suggestions. Other than the sauce and pita, you can also serve this with fries, rice, or these yummy Greek lemon potatoes.
How to Store
This chicken souvlaki is a total crowd-pleaser and has become a regular in my summer grilling rotation.
It’s easy to prep ahead of time, making it ideal for casual get-togethers with friends and family.
And yes, it stores and freezes well, too!
To Store: Place cooled leftovers in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Keep the tzatziki sauce in a separate container to maintain its freshness and flavor.
To Freeze: Wrap cold leftovers in plastic wrap and foil, then place in a freezer bag for 2-3 months. You can also freeze the raw chicken, in the marinade (in a freezer bag), then thaw in the fridge overnight before cooking.
To Reheat: Reheat the chicken skewers in a preheated oven at 350°Fahrenheit for about 10 minutes or until warm. Alternatively, microwave in 30-second intervals until warm.
More Mediterranean Dishes You’ll Love
Harissa Honey Chicken
Bruschetta Chicken
Caprese Salad
Greek Shrimp Saganaki
Greek Chicken Souvlaki with Tzatziki
4
servings20
minutes8
minutes528
kcalGreek chicken souvlaki with tzatziki brings the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean right to your table. It’s savory, zesty, and oh-so-juicy.
Ingredients
- For the Chicken Souvlaki
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
1/3 cup olive oil
5-6 cloves garlic, minced
juice and zest of 1 lemon
1 1/2 tablespoons dried oregano
2 teaspoons dried rosemary
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1 teaspoon sweet paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- For the Tzatziki Sauce
1 medium cucumber
1 teaspoon salt, divided
1 cup plain Greek yogurt
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon dried dill weed
1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
pinch sugar
Instructions
- Marinate the chicken: Cut the chicken into 1-inch chunks and pat dry with paper towels. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk the olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, oregano, rosemary, parsley, paprika, salt, and pepper until well combined. Add the chicken pieces and toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight for best results.
- Make the tzatziki sauce: Grate the cucumber and spread it on several sheets of paper towel. Sprinkle about 1/2 teaspoon of salt over the top and let it sit for 15 minutes to draw out the moisture. Then, thoroughly dry the cucumber with more paper towels or a cheesecloth. Squeeze dry (there will be a lot of liquid).
- In a medium bowl, mix the Greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, dill weed, pepper, sugar, and the remaining salt. Taste and adjust as needed, then mix in the dried cucumber.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (up to 2 hours).
- Cook the chicken: If using, soak 10-12 wooden skewers in water for 30-45 minutes. Then, preheat the grill to medium-high and lightly oil the grates.
- Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto the skewers, leaving a small space between each piece for even cooking.
- Grill the chicken skewers for 3-4 minutes per side, or until the chicken is cooked with a nice char on the outside. Brush the skewers with any remaining marinade while cooking.
- Serve the grilled chicken souvlaki hot, accompanied by the homemade tzatziki sauce, warm pita bread, and a Greek salad, if desired. Enjoy your delicious Greek feast!
Notes
- It needs at least 2 hours, but the longer, the better. (If needed, you can marinade for just 30 minutes, but it won’t be as tender or flavorful.)
- You can also cook these in a grill pan for 3-4 minutes per side and get a similar charred finish.
- When threading the chicken onto skewers, leave a small space between each piece to ensure even cooking. You can also add chunks of onion or pepper.