Chicken Souvlaki Recipe

There’s something magical about firing up the grill and filling your backyard with the aroma of lemon, garlic, and herbs. That’s exactly what happens when you make this Chicken Souvlaki Recipe. Juicy, tender, and packed with classic Greek flavors, these marinated chicken skewers transform an ordinary dinner into something that feels straight out of a Mediterranean vacation.

If your weeknights are packed with work deadlines, soccer practice, or the never-ending question of “What’s for dinner?”, this recipe is about to become your new favorite solution. It’s simple enough for busy evenings yet impressive enough to serve when friends stop by unexpectedly.

As Chef Omar always says, great cooking doesn’t have to be complicated—it just needs fresh ingredients, a little creativity, and plenty of flavor. This Chicken Souvlaki Recipe checks all those boxes.

Why You’ll Love This Chicken Souvlaki Recipe

There are countless chicken recipes out there, but this one stands apart for a few delicious reasons:

• Bright, fresh Mediterranean flavors
• Tender, juicy chicken every time
• Easy make-ahead marinade
• Perfect for grilling season
• Naturally gluten-free when served appropriately
• Family-friendly and meal-prep approved

The combination of lemon juice, garlic, dill, parsley, and oregano creates a marinade that works like magic. Every bite bursts with savory, citrusy goodness that tastes like it came from your favorite Greek restaurant.

What Is Chicken Souvlaki?

Chicken souvlaki is a traditional Greek dish consisting of marinated chicken pieces threaded onto skewers and grilled until perfectly golden. The word “souvlaki” actually means “little skewer” in Greek.

Traditionally, the grilled chicken is served wrapped in warm pita bread alongside fresh vegetables and creamy tzatziki sauce. The result is a handheld meal that balances smoky, fresh, tangy, and creamy flavors all in one bite.

Think of it as the Greek cousin of your favorite grilled chicken sandwich—but with significantly more personality.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Chicken Souvlaki Marinade

• ½ cup canola oil or olive oil
• 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
• Juice from 2 lemons
• 6 garlic cloves, smashed
• 3 tablespoons fresh dill, minced
• 3 tablespoons fresh parsley, minced
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 to 1½ teaspoons coarse salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

For the Chicken

• 2 pounds chicken breasts (about 4 large breasts)

For Serving

• 6 to 8 Greek pita breads, warmed
• 2 tomatoes, sliced
• ½ red onion, thinly sliced
• ½ cup tzatziki sauce

How to Make Chicken Souvlaki Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Marinade

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the oil, vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, dill, parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper.

Before adding the chicken, taste the marinade. This small step helps you adjust the seasoning and avoid under-seasoned chicken later.

Step 2: Marinate the Chicken

Cut the chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes.

Place the chicken in a large zip-top bag or glass container and pour the marinade over the top. Toss everything together until every piece is thoroughly coated.

Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. For even more flavor, let it marinate overnight.

Just don’t exceed 12 hours, or the lemon juice may begin affecting the chicken’s texture.

Step 3: Skewer the Chicken

If you’re using wooden skewers, soak them in water for about 45 minutes before grilling.

Thread 4 to 5 chicken pieces onto each skewer, leaving a little space between pieces for even cooking.

Step 4: Grill to Perfection

Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.

Place the skewers on the grill and cook for approximately 16 to 20 minutes total, turning every 4 to 5 minutes.

The chicken should develop beautiful golden grill marks while remaining juicy inside.

While the chicken cooks, lightly brush the pita bread with olive oil and warm them on the grill.

Step 5: Assemble and Serve

Lay a warm pita on a plate.

Top with grilled chicken, sliced tomatoes, red onions, and a generous spoonful of tzatziki sauce.

Fold, wrap, or dive right in with a fork. No judgment here.

No Grill? No Problem!

One of my favorite things about this Chicken Souvlaki Recipe is its flexibility.

When weather refuses to cooperate—or when grilling sounds like too much effort after a long day—you can easily cook the skewers indoors.

Stovetop Method

1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add a small amount of oil.
3. Place the chicken skewers in a single layer.
4. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side.
5. Rotate every few minutes until all sides are golden brown.

The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

You’ll still get incredible flavor, even without the grill.

Chef Omar’s Favorite Tips

Use Fresh Herbs When Possible

Fresh dill and parsley create a brighter, more vibrant flavor. If you only have dried herbs available, use half the amount listed.

Don’t Skip the Lemon

The lemon juice helps tenderize the chicken while adding that signature Greek flavor. It’s one of the stars of the show.

Avoid Overcrowding the Skewers

Giving each piece of chicken a little breathing room helps everything cook evenly.

Warm the Pita

This simple step makes a huge difference. Warm pita becomes soft, flexible, and ready to soak up every drop of delicious tzatziki.

Trust Your Thermometer

Guesswork is great for surprise parties—not for chicken. A quick temperature check saves you from dry or undercooked meat.

A Little Kitchen Story

This Chicken Souvlaki Recipe became a regular feature at my house after a summer gathering where I needed something easy yet impressive. I marinated the chicken the night before, grilled it while chatting with friends, and watched the platter disappear in minutes.

One guest actually wrapped up an extra pita “for later.” Spoiler alert: it never made it home.

Since then, it’s become one of my go-to recipes whenever I need a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Serving Ideas

While pita, vegetables, and tzatziki create the classic combination, there are plenty of ways to enjoy chicken souvlaki.

Try serving it with:

• Greek salad
• Lemon rice
• Roasted potatoes
• Cucumber salad
• Hummus
• Grilled vegetables
• Quinoa bowls

It also makes an excellent meal-prep option for lunches throughout the week.

Storage and Reheating

Refrigerator

Store leftover chicken in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days.

Freezer

Freeze cooked chicken for up to 3 months.

Reheating

Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat or microwave in short intervals until heated through.

Adding a splash of water helps prevent the chicken from drying out.

Frequently Asked Questions ABOUT Chicken Souvlaki Recipe

Bring Greek Flavors to Your Table Tonight

Few meals are as satisfying as a freshly grilled Chicken Souvlaki Recipe loaded with vibrant herbs, bright citrus, and creamy tzatziki. It’s the kind of dish that feels special without requiring hours in the kitchen.

Whether you’re planning a casual family dinner, meal prepping for the week, or hosting friends for a backyard gathering, this recipe delivers big flavor with surprisingly little effort. Once you taste those juicy, herb-marinated skewers wrapped in warm pita bread, you’ll understand why this Chicken Souvlaki Recipe has remained a beloved Greek classic for generations.

Grab your skewers, fire up the grill, and let your kitchen smell like a sunny Mediterranean getaway. Happy cooking!

Complete Your Greek-Inspired Meal

If you loved this Chicken Souvlaki Recipe, there are plenty of other Mediterranean-inspired dishes and sides to help you create a complete and flavorful meal. Whether you’re planning a casual family dinner, a summer gathering, or simply looking for fresh Greek-inspired recipes, these favorites are perfect additions to your menu:

• Healthy Tzatziki Sauce is creamy, refreshing, and the perfect dipping sauce for grilled chicken, pita, and vegetables.
• Greek Chicken Gyro Bowls are packed with vibrant vegetables, tender chicken, and classic Mediterranean flavors.
• One Pan Greek Vegetables make an easy and colorful side dish that pairs beautifully with souvlaki.
• Greek Orzo Pasta Salad is light, refreshing, and ideal for meal prep, picnics, or serving alongside grilled meats.

For another authentic take on this popular Greek dish, you might also enjoy Greek Chicken Souvlaki with Tzatziki, which offers additional tips and inspiration for preparing and serving this Mediterranean favorite.

Chicken Souvlaki Recipe

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• Author: Omar
• Total Time: 2 Hours 40 Minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

This Chicken Souvlaki Recipe features juicy Greek-style chicken skewers marinated in lemon, garlic, fresh herbs, and olive oil, then grilled to perfection and served with warm pita bread, fresh vegetables, and creamy tzatziki sauce.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Chicken:

• 2 lbs chicken breasts (about 4), cut into 1-inch cubes

Chicken Souvlaki Marinade:

• 1/2 cup olive oil or canola oil
• 3 tbsp white wine vinegar
• Juice of 2 lemons
• 6 garlic cloves, smashed
• 3 tbsp fresh dill, minced
• 3 tbsp fresh parsley, minced
• 2 tsp dried oregano
• 1–1½ tsp coarse salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

For Serving:

• 6–8 Greek pita breads, warmed
• 2 tomatoes, sliced
• 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup tzatziki sauce

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Instructions

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, dill, parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper.
2. Add the chicken cubes to a large zip-top bag or container and pour the marinade over the chicken. Toss well to coat.
3. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight (up to 12 hours).
4. Thread the marinated chicken onto skewers, placing 4–5 pieces on each skewer.
5. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
6. Grill the chicken skewers for 16–20 minutes total, turning every 4–5 minutes, until cooked through and lightly charred.
7. While the chicken cooks, warm the pita bread on the grill.
8. Serve the chicken on warm pita bread with sliced tomatoes, red onions, and tzatziki sauce.

Notes

If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 45 minutes before grilling.

Do not marinate the chicken longer than 12 hours.

For dried herbs, use half the amount listed for fresh herbs.

To make this recipe gluten-free, use gluten-free pita bread or serve over rice or salad.

Leftover chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–4 days.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: Greek

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 551 kcal
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 1549 mg
• Fat: 26 g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Unsaturated Fat: 23 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 39 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg