Greek Chicken Souvlaki

Greek Chicken Souvlaki is a simple Mediterranean favorite made with tender chicken marinated in olive oil, lemon juice, white wine vinegar, garlic, oregano, and thyme. The chicken is then threaded onto skewers and grilled or cooked until lightly charred on the outside and juicy in the center.

This easy chicken recipe is full of bright, savory flavor and works beautifully for weeknight dinners, summer grilling, meal prep, or casual gatherings. Serve it with warm pita, a fresh Greek salad, tzatziki, or roasted potatoes for a complete Mediterranean-style meal.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Bright Mediterranean flavor: Lemon, garlic, oregano, and thyme create a fresh and savory marinade.
• Easy to prepare: The marinade comes together in just a few minutes.
• Great for grilling: Skewered chicken develops delicious golden-brown edges.
• Meal-prep friendly: Marinate the chicken ahead of time and cook when ready.
• Versatile: Serve it in pita, over rice, with salad, or alongside your favorite Greek-inspired sides.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Marinating Time: 1–4 hours
Cook Time: 12–15 minutes
Total Time: About 1 hour 30 minutes, depending on marinating time
Servings: 6

Ingredients

For the Chicken

• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into cubes or strips
• 4–6 wooden skewers

For the Marinade

• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• Juice of 1/2 fresh lemon
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 2 teaspoons salt
• Black pepper, to taste

How to Make Greek Chicken Souvlaki

1. Soak the Wooden Skewers

If using wooden skewers, place them in a dish of water and soak them for at least 30 minutes before cooking.

This helps prevent the exposed ends from burning during grilling.

2. Make the Marinade

In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, white wine vinegar, minced garlic, lemon juice, dried oregano, thyme, salt, and black pepper.

Mix until the ingredients are well combined.

3. Marinate the Chicken

Add the cubed or sliced chicken to the marinade.

Toss well so every piece is coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

For deeper flavor, marinate the chicken for up to 4 hours.

Avoid marinating the chicken for excessively long periods because the lemon juice and vinegar can affect the texture of the meat.

4. Thread the Chicken Onto Skewers

Remove the chicken from the refrigerator.

Thread the pieces onto the soaked wooden skewers, leaving a little space between pieces. Don’t pack the chicken too tightly, as this allows heat to circulate and helps the chicken brown.

Discard any leftover marinade that has been in contact with raw chicken.

5. Cook the Souvlaki

Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat.

Place the chicken skewers on the hot grill and cook for approximately 5–7 minutes per side, turning as needed.

The chicken should be nicely browned and cooked through.

The exact cooking time will depend on the size of the chicken pieces.

6. Check for Doneness and Serve

Chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Remove the skewers from the grill and let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving.

Serve warm with lemon wedges and your favorite Mediterranean sides.

Recipe Tips for Success

Cut the chicken evenly

Try to cut the chicken into pieces of similar size. This helps everything cook at the same rate and prevents smaller pieces from drying out.

Don’t skip the marinating time

Even one hour gives the chicken time to absorb the lemon, garlic, oregano, and olive oil. If possible, allow the chicken to marinate for 2–4 hours.

Keep the skewers from getting crowded

Leaving a little space between pieces helps the chicken brown instead of simply steaming.

Preheat the grill

A hot cooking surface helps create those flavorful browned edges that make souvlaki so good.

Don’t overcook the chicken

Chicken breast is lean, so remove it from the heat as soon as it reaches 165°F (74°C).

Ingredient Substitutions

• Chicken breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs can be used for a juicier result.
• White wine vinegar: Red wine vinegar can be substituted for a slightly deeper flavor.
• Fresh lemon juice: Fresh lemon is strongly recommended, but bottled lemon juice can work in a pinch.
• Dried oregano: Greek oregano is especially flavorful, but regular dried oregano works well.
• Fresh garlic: Garlic powder can be used if needed, although fresh garlic gives the marinade more character.
• Wooden skewers: Metal skewers can be used without soaking.

Recipe Variations

Greek Chicken Souvlaki Pitas

Stuff the grilled chicken into warm pita bread with lettuce, tomato, red onion, cucumber, and tzatziki sauce.

Chicken Souvlaki Bowls

Serve the chicken over cooked rice or quinoa with cucumber, tomatoes, olives, red onion, feta, and tzatziki.

Souvlaki Salad

Add the grilled chicken to a Greek salad made with lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, olives, and feta cheese.

Vegetable Chicken Souvlaki

Add chunks of bell pepper, zucchini, or red onion to the skewers between the pieces of chicken.

What to Serve With Greek Chicken Souvlaki

Greek Chicken Souvlaki pairs especially well with:

• Warm pita bread
• Tzatziki sauce
• Greek salad
• Lemon rice
• Roasted potatoes
• Cucumber and tomato salad
• Hummus
• Feta cheese
• Kalamata olives
• Grilled vegetables
• Fresh lemon wedges

For an easy dinner, serve the chicken with warm pita, tzatziki, cucumber, tomatoes, and a simple Greek salad.

How to Store

Remove the chicken from the skewers and place any leftovers in an airtight container.

Refrigerate for up to 3–4 days.

Reheat gently in a skillet, air fryer, or microwave until warmed through. Avoid overheating to help keep the chicken tender.

Can You Freeze Greek Chicken Souvlaki?

Yes. Cooked chicken souvlaki can be frozen.

Allow the chicken to cool completely, remove it from the skewers, and place it in a freezer-safe container or bag.

Freeze for up to 2–3 months for the best quality.

Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat until hot.

You can also freeze the raw chicken in its marinade before cooking. Thaw it safely in the refrigerator, then thread onto skewers and cook as directed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is chicken souvlaki?

Chicken souvlaki is a Greek-style dish made from marinated pieces of chicken cooked on skewers. It is commonly flavored with ingredients such as olive oil, lemon, garlic, oregano, and other Mediterranean herbs.

How long should I marinate chicken souvlaki?

For this recipe, marinate the chicken for at least 1 hour. Around 2–4 hours gives the chicken plenty of time to absorb the flavors.

Can I cook souvlaki without a grill?

Yes. A grill pan or large skillet can be used. Cook the chicken over medium-high heat, turning regularly until browned and cooked through.

Can I use chicken thighs?

Absolutely. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are an excellent choice and tend to stay particularly juicy on the grill.

Can I make Greek Chicken Souvlaki ahead of time?

Yes. You can prepare the marinade and chicken several hours ahead and refrigerate it until you’re ready to cook.

Why do I need to soak wooden skewers?

Soaking helps prevent the exposed wood from burning or catching fire while the chicken cooks. Soak them for at least 30 minutes before using.

Nutrition Information

Approximate nutrition per serving:
Calories: 290
Protein: 42g
Carbohydrates: 2g
Fat: 12g
Fiber: 0g
Sugar: 0g

Nutrition information is an estimate and can vary depending on the exact ingredients, portion sizes, and amount of marinade consumed.

Final Thoughts

Greek Chicken Souvlaki is an easy way to bring fresh Mediterranean flavors to the dinner table. The combination of lemon, garlic, olive oil, oregano, and thyme gives the chicken a bright, savory taste, while grilling adds delicious browned edges.

Serve the skewers with warm pita and tzatziki for a classic meal, or turn them into a filling bowl with rice, vegetables, olives, and feta.

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