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Grilled Greek Chicken Souvlaki skewers served on a bed of yellow rice, arranged on an oval plate on a white table. A blue towel and a golden fork are placed nearby.

Greek Chicken Souvlaki

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Enjoy the juicy, tender, and smoky Chicken Souvlaki, prepared with boneless chicken breasts or thighs marinated in a flavorful mix, skewered, and grilled to perfection. Serve with rice pilaf, saffron rice, or yellow rice, or tuck it into pita with tzatziki for a delicious meal!
Course Main Course
Cuisine Greek, Mediterranean
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Marinating Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 394
Author Sangeetha Vel

Ingredients

For Chicken Souvlaki

  • 2 lb Boneless Chicken Breasts or thighs, bite-size pieces
  • ¼ cup Olive Oil
  • ¼ cup Red Wine Vinegar or white wine vinegar
  • 2 tbsp Lemon Juice
  • 10 cloves Garlic minced or crushed
  • 1 tsp Dried Oregano
  • 1 tsp Dried Rosemary
  • 1 tsp Dried Thyme
  • 1 tsp Black Pepper Powder
  • Salt to taste

For Grilling

  • 3 tbsp Oil or enough to drizzle the pan
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Marinating Chicken

  • Begin by placing the boneless chicken pieces in a bowl along with all the listed ingredients for your Chicken Souvlaki. Mix thoroughly to ensure each piece is evenly coated. Cover the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour. This marinating time allows the chicken to fully absorb the flavors, making it more tender and delicious.
    A bowl with boneless chicken marinated in a souvlaki marinade.

Making Greek Chicken Souvlaki

  • After the chicken has marinated, start threading it onto wooden or steel skewers, leaving a small gap between each piece. This spacing allows heat to circulate evenly and ensures thorough cooking.
    Showing marinated chicken threaded on a wooden skewer.
  • Heat your grill pan over medium heat and lightly oil it to prevent sticking. Arrange the chicken skewers on the pan without crowding them. If you have many skewers, grill them in batches to prevent steaming and achieve a good sear on the chicken.
    A grill pan with chicken on skewers.
  • Cook the skewers, turning them regularly to ensure each side is evenly grilled. This usually takes about 12-15 minutes per batch, depending on how thick your chicken pieces are. Once grilled to perfection, your Chicken Souvlaki is ready to serve and enjoy.
    A grill pan with chicken on skewers grilling.

Serving

  • Serve your Chicken Souvlaki alongside rice pilaf, yellow rice, roasted vegetables, pita bread, or any other Mediterranean dishes you prefer. For additional pairing ideas and inspiration, be sure to explore our Serving Suggestions section below.
    Chicken Souvlaki served over rice pilaf on white plate.

Notes

Here are my preparation and cooking tips to ensure your Chicken Souvlaki turns out perfectly every time:

Preparation Tips:

  • Choose Fresh Ingredients: Since we're using just a few ingredients to marinate the chicken, the freshness really matters. Go for fresh garlic, lemon juice, and herbs to pack your souvlaki with vibrant flavors.
  • Cut Evenly: Make sure all your chicken pieces are about the same size. This helps them cook evenly on the grill, avoiding any overly dry or undercooked spots.
  • Marinate Well: Give your chicken plenty of time to soak up those delicious flavors. An hour is great, but if you've got the time, letting it marinate overnight in the fridge will make it even tastier.
  • Skewering Smart: When threading your chicken onto skewers, leave a bit of space at each end. This makes them easier to handle. And watch out for those sharp ends!
  • Prep Your Skewers: If you’re using wooden skewers, give them a good soak in warm water for about 30 minutes before you start grilling. This keeps them from burning up.

Cooking Tips:

  • Cooking Heat Temperature: Always start by preheating your grill pan or outdoor grill to medium heat. If you find the chicken is charring too quickly, lower the heat or move the pieces to a cooler part of the grill.
  • Avoid Splattering: To reduce mess, make sure the souvlaki isn't dripping with excess marinade before it hits the grill. You can pat the skewers dry with a paper towel. For stovetop grilling, consider using a splatter guard to keep things tidy while still allowing heat and air to circulate.
  • Check for Safety: It’s crucial to cook the chicken to the right temperature for safety. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F, as recommended by the FDA, guaranteeing your chicken is both safe and delicious.
  • Keep Your Meat Juicy: If you're grilling multiple batches, cover the already grilled skewers with aluminum foil to keep them juicy. This helps retain moisture and keeps the chicken tender.
  • Grilling Outdoors: Preheat your grill to medium-high and lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking. Cook the skewers evenly by turning them frequently, ensuring all sides get nicely charred.
  • Baking in the Oven: For oven cooking, preheat to 450°F and place the skewers on a wire rack above a baking sheet to allow good air circulation. Bake for about 12-15 minutes, or until fully cooked. For an extra smoky flavor, broil on high for 1-2 minutes at the end.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 394kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 49g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 145mg | Sodium: 847mg | Potassium: 885mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 0.3g | Vitamin A: 79IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 32mg | Iron: 1mg

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