Greek-Inspired Lemon and Herb Marinated Chicken Souvlaki Skewers with Tzatziki and Pita
Hey everyone! It’s Al from Al’s Cooking Blog, and today I’m taking you on a little culinary journey to Greece. With the kids back at school and the days getting shorter, I thought a flavorful, easy-to-make meal would be just the thing to bring some brightness into our evenings.
We all know how hard it can be to please everyone at the dinner table, especially with four kids of different ages. But trust me on this one—these Greek-inspired Lemon and Herb Marinated Chicken Souvlaki Skewers are a crowd-pleaser in our household. The tender chicken, the zesty marinade, the cooling tzatziki sauce, and the warm, fluffy pita bread—it’s like a mini trip to the Mediterranean without leaving our cozy UK kitchen.
So, let’s dive into this delightful recipe that’s perfect for a weeknight meal but special enough for weekend gatherings!
Ingredients:
**For the Chicken Souvlaki Skewers:**
– 1 kg boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes
– 3 tbsp olive oil
– 3 tbsp lemon juice
– 3 garlic cloves, minced
– 1 tbsp dried oregano
– 1 tsp dried thyme
– 1 tsp salt
– ½ tsp black pepper
**For the Tzatziki Sauce:**
– 1 cup Greek yogurt
– 1 cucumber, grated and excess water squeezed out
– 2 garlic cloves, minced
– 1 tbsp lemon juice
– 1 tbsp olive oil
– 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
– ½ tsp salt
– ¼ tsp black pepper
**For Serving:**
– 4 pita breads, warmed
– Lemon wedges
– Fresh parsley, chopped (optional garnish)
Method:
Prepare the Chicken Souvlaki Skewers:
- In a large bowl, mix the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper.
- Add the chicken cubes to the marinade, ensuring all pieces are well coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or overnight for maximum flavor.
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
- Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto skewers, leaving a small gap between each piece.
- Grill the skewers for about 5-7 minutes on each side, or until the chicken is fully cooked and has a nice char. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 75°C (165°F).
Prepare the Tzatziki Sauce:
- In a medium bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, chopped dill, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.
- Cover and refrigerate the tzatziki for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Serving:
- Warm the pita breads on the grill for about 1-2 minutes per side.
- Serve the chicken souvlaki skewers with the warm pita, a generous dollop of tzatziki sauce, lemon wedges, and sprinkle with fresh parsley if desired.
And there you have it! A dish that’s not only packed with vibrant flavors but also fun for the whole family to enjoy. The kids love assembling their own pitas, almost making it a little DIY dinner night. I hope you’ll give this recipe a try and let it transport you to a warm, sunny Greek island, even if just for a moment.
Happy cooking, and see you next time for more delicious family-friendly meals!
Ingredients
**For the Chicken Souvlaki Skewers:**
– 1 kg boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes
– 3 tbsp olive oil
– 3 tbsp lemon juice
– 3 garlic cloves, minced
– 1 tbsp dried oregano
– 1 tsp dried thyme
– 1 tsp salt
– ½ tsp black pepper
**For the Tzatziki Sauce:**
– 1 cup Greek yogurt
– 1 cucumber, grated and excess water squeezed out
– 2 garlic cloves, minced
– 1 tbsp lemon juice
– 1 tbsp olive oil
– 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
– ½ tsp salt
– ¼ tsp black pepper
**For Serving:**
– 4 pita breads, warmed
– Lemon wedges
– Fresh parsley, chopped (optional garnish)
Method
Method:
Prepare the Chicken Souvlaki Skewers:
- In a large bowl, mix the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper.
- Add the chicken cubes to the marinade, ensuring all pieces are well coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or overnight for maximum flavor.
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
- Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto skewers, leaving a small gap between each piece.
- Grill the skewers for about 5-7 minutes on each side, or until the chicken is fully cooked and has a nice char. Internal temperature of the chicken should reach 75°C (165°F).
Prepare the Tzatziki Sauce:
- In a medium bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, chopped dill, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.
- Cover and refrigerate the tzatziki for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Serving:
- Warm the pita breads on the grill for about 1-2 minutes per side.
- Serve the chicken souvlaki skewers with the warm pita, a generous dollop of tzatziki sauce, lemon wedges, and sprinkle with fresh parsley if desired.
