Description
Succulent Greek chicken souvlaki delivers Mediterranean flavors straight from Athens’ streets. Marinated meat, grilled to perfection, promises a delightful culinary journey you’ll savor with each tender bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs (680 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 3 tbsps (45 ml) olive oil
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) dried oregano
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 medium lemons, divided
- ¾ tsp (4 g) kosher salt
- ½ tsp (2.5 g) freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tsp (5 ml) honey
- 2 medium plum tomatoes
- ½ medium english cucumber
- ¼ small red onion
- ⅓ cup (50 g) pitted kalamata olives (about 10)
- 4 (6-inch) pita breads
- Tzatziki sauce, for serving
- Vegetable oil for grilling
- 4 to 6 skewers
Instructions
- Marinade Preparation: Craft a zesty blend by combining minced garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, dried oregano, honey, sea salt, and black pepper in a spacious container. Whisk ingredients until perfectly integrated, releasing vibrant citrus and herbal aromatics.
- Chicken Preparation: Trim chicken into uniform bite-sized cubes, then immerse completely in the prepared marinade. Allow to rest at room temperature for 30 minutes or refrigerate up to three hours for maximum flavor infusion.
- Grill Setup: Fire up outdoor grill to medium-high heat, lightly oiling metal grates to prevent adhesion. Carefully thread marinated chicken onto skewers, maintaining consistent spacing for even cooking.
- Grilling Process: Cook chicken skewers, rotating periodically to achieve golden caramelized edges and ensure safe internal temperature, approximately 4-5 minutes per side. Simultaneously, warm pita breads to enhance their texture and impart a subtle smoky nuance.
- Vegetable Arrangement: While chicken grills, artfully slice ripe tomatoes, crisp cucumber, and pungent red onion into delicate rounds. Arrange these alongside halved kalamata olives on a rustic serving platter.
- Final Assembly: Create the ultimate souvlaki by positioning grilled chicken skewers atop warm pitas, lavishly garnishing with fresh vegetable medley, briny olives, and a generous drizzle of cooling tzatziki sauce.
Notes
- Maximize Marinade Penetration: Let chicken soak for at least 30 minutes to absorb deep, rich flavors and tenderize meat effectively.
- Grill Temperature Control: Maintain medium-high heat to achieve perfect caramelization without burning chicken, aiming for golden-brown exterior and juicy interior.
- Even Skewering Technique: Space chicken pieces uniformly on skewers to ensure consistent cooking and prevent uneven heat distribution.
- Serving Pro Tip: Warm pita bread briefly on grill to enhance texture and add subtle smoky flavor, elevating the overall dining experience.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg