Description
This Greek Chicken Souvlaki recipe features tender bite-sized chicken pieces marinated in a flavorful blend of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and Greek seasoning, then grilled to perfection. It’s perfect for a tasty Mediterranean-inspired meal that’s easy to prepare and versatile for serving with pita, salads, or tzatziki sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite size pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
- 4 large garlic cloves, minced
- 3 tablespoons Greek seasoning
- 1 large lemon, juiced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: Combine olive oil, white wine vinegar, minced garlic, Greek seasoning, lemon juice, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper in a ziplock bag or a tightly covered bowl. Shake or stir well to mix all ingredients evenly.
- Marinate the Chicken: Add the bite-sized chicken pieces to the marinade. Seal the bag or cover the bowl tightly and shake or toss to coat the chicken evenly in the marinade. Refrigerate and allow the chicken to marinate for at least 6 hours or overnight for best flavor.
- Preheat Grill or Cooking Device: When ready to cook, preheat an outdoor grill or a stovetop grill pan to medium-high heat. Alternatively, preheat an air fryer to 370°F or an oven to 400°F if using those methods.
- Thread Chicken onto Skewers: Remove the chicken from the marinade and discard the leftover marinade. Thread the chicken pieces onto skewers, ensuring they are evenly spaced for even cooking.
- Cook the Chicken: Grill the skewered chicken on the outdoor grill or grill pan until fully cooked and the internal temperature reaches 165°F, about 15 minutes total, turning occasionally. If using an air fryer, cook at 370°F for 20 minutes, flipping halfway. If baking in the oven, cook in a baking dish at 400°F for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking.
- Rest the Chicken: Remove the chicken skewers from heat and let them rest wrapped in foil for 5 minutes. This resting step helps the chicken retain its juices, making it extra tender and flavorful.
- Serve: Serve the chicken souvlaki skewers with your choice of sides such as pita bread, Greek salad, or tzatziki sauce for an authentic Greek experience.
Notes
- Storage: Store cooked chicken souvlaki in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. It’s best to remove chicken from the skewers before storing for easier handling and to keep separate from toppings or sauces.
- Freezing: Marinate the chicken and place it in a freezer-safe ziplock bag with the marinade. Freeze for easy meal prep. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before cooking as directed.
- Alternative Cooking Methods: Besides grilling, chicken souvlaki can be cooked in an air fryer or oven using the described temperatures and times for moist, tender results.
- Temperature Check: Use an instant-read meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F for safe consumption.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
