Bite of Hope Logo Hope Clinic
Donate

Lunch/Dinners

Chicken Souvlaki

TIME

2 h 30 min

DIFFICULTY

Easy

SERVINGS

4

CALORIES

293 kcal

CARBS

2 g

PROTEIN

43 g

FAT

12 g

Z Chicken Souvlaki

About this recipe

Souvlaki is a Greek street food of grilled meat, often served on skewers or in pita. While cooking meat on spits has ancient precedents, the familiar modern street-food form was shaped in 20th-century Greece, including by Greek refugees from Asia Minor. This version uses chicken with lemon, garlic, and oregano; it does not claim that chicken souvlaki itself dates to antiquity.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE IT

Lemon, garlic, and oregano give the chicken its bright Greek-inspired flavor. The short ingredient list makes the marinade easy to prepare. Grill the skewers outdoors or cook them on a grill pan.

Ingredients

  • 1½ lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes (about 680 g)
  • 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil (1 fl oz / 30 ml)
  • ¼ cup fresh lemon juice (2 fl oz / 60 ml)
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced (about 9 g)
  • 1 tbsp dried oregano (about 3 g)
  • ¾ tsp kosher salt, or to taste (about 4 g)
  • ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper (about ½ g)
  • 8 wooden or metal skewers

Preparation

  1. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 20 minutes.
  2. Whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt, and black pepper.
  3. Add the chicken and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours.
  4. Thread the chicken onto the skewers, leaving a little space between pieces so they cook evenly.
  5. Heat an outdoor grill or grill pan to medium-high. Grill the skewers, turning occasionally, until browned and the thickest pieces reach 165°F (74°C), about 8–10 minutes.
  6. Rest the chicken for 3 minutes before serving. Serve with lemon wedges; pita and tzatziki are optional accompaniments.

Tips

Keep the chicken refrigerated while it marinates.
Use a clean plate and utensils for the cooked chicken, separate from those that held the raw chicken.

Other Great Recipes: