Chicken Souvlaki

You don’t need a trip to the Greek islands to enjoy Chicken Souvlaki! Tuck grilled, marinated chicken into soft pita bread and top it with tzatziki and fresh herbs for a Mediterranean-inspired meal you can easily whip up at home.

When you want to change up your usual chicken routine, chicken souvlaki is a great way to add variety to your main dish. It’s quite easy to make, and it always becomes a favorite. First, you’ll marinate chicken breasts in a savory sauce packed with bright, tart lemon, garlic, and spices to infuse them with flavor. Then, you’ll grill them to a charred and juicy perfection.

Why You’ll Love This Chicken Souvlaki Recipe

• Flavorful. This is the number one reason I love this chicken recipe! The marinade is so fresh, featuring lemon juice and zest, olive oil, and plenty of garlic.
• Simple. Greek cooking relies on simple ingredients to deliver bold flavors. You won’t need anything fancy, but I think you’ll find this souvlaki to be satisfying and interesting!
• Authentic. I took my inspiration from the traditional way of preparing souvlaki to create this recipe. Make sure to serve it with fresh, soft pita bread, the tzatziki, the Greek garlic yogurt dip, and lemon wedges to squeeze over the grilled chicken.

What Is Greek Chicken Souvlaki?

Chicken souvlaki is a Greek way to prepare chicken and is found in restaurants all over the mainland as well as the islands. Souvlaki is the name for a method for marinating meat, including beef, chicken, lamb, or pork, that’s then grilled on a skewer. It can be served on the skewer – with “souvla” being the Greek word for skewer and “aki” meaning little – or stuffed into pita bread. I also love it over rice or alongside a Greek salad.

Recipe Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this Greek chicken souvlaki recipe. The full ingredient amounts will be in the recipe card at the end of this post.

• Chicken – Use boneless and skinless chicken breasts.
• Onions – Yellow onions are best in this recipe.

For the Marinade

• Olive Oil – Olive oil is a staple in Greek cuisine. I like to use extra virgin olive oil.
• Lemon – Use a fresh lemon for its juice and zest for the most flavor.
• Garlic – Another staple of Greek cooking, garlic adds a bit of spice.
• Salt and Pepper – You can use white or black pepper.
• Greek Seasoning – Buy a jar of Greek seasoning or substitute a mix of dried oregano and basil.
• Salt – I use fine sea salt or table salt.
• Fresh Herbs – To garnish the souvlaki.

How To Make Chicken Souvlaki

My main tip for this recipe is to leave enough time to properly marinate the chicken – you won’t regret it! See an overview of how to make this souvlaki recipe below.

1. Make the marinade: Combine the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, white pepper, Greek seasoning, salt, and pepper.
2. Marinate: Place the chicken cubes in the marinade and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
3. Prep: Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto the skewers and heat a grill.
4. Grill: Cook the chicken for 6-8 minutes per side.
5. Rest: Cool and rest the chicken for a few minutes before serving.

Tips for Success

From simple ingredients comes a savory, tender dish you can use in so many ways. I’m here to help you make it the best it can be – see a few of my easy tips below.

• Marinate! For the best, most intense flavor, leave plenty of time for the chicken to marinate. I prepare the marinade the night before I plan to cook the souvlaki so that the chicken can soak up all the lemon juice and garlic, making it extra flavorful.
• Add fresh herbs. I love a shower of fresh herbs over the top of the skewers for a garnish! You can add fresh mint, oregano, dill, or a combination to finish the chicken souvlaki.
• Soak the skewers. If using wooden skewers, it’s important to soak them in water for about 30 minutes to prevent them from burning during cooking.

Ways To Serve Chicken Souvlaki

You can enjoy chicken souvlaki as a snack, or make it into a whole meal with bread, salad, or rice. Here are a few serving suggestions:

• In soft bread. This is a classic way to serve chicken souvlaki! Make a fresh batch of my Homemade Flatbread and stuff it with savory chicken – you’ll thank me later! Pita bread is another great choice.
• Over rice. Make a pot of fluffy white rice and drape the chicken over it. Or, pair the souvlaki with flavorful Garlic Butter Parmesan Rice.
• With salad. Make a Greek salad and serve it with chicken souvlaki for an authentic side dish. Or, make my Avocado Tomato Salad for a similar flavor. And a juicy side of Fruit Salad with Honey Lime Dressing is always welcome.
• Add toppings. The traditional way to serve Greek chicken souvlaki is with tzatziki, a garlicky yogurt dip that’s loaded with cucumber and lemon juice. You can also add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and a sprinkle of feta cheese to the chicken, and don’t skip the fresh herbs!

Proper Storage

• Fridge – Place the chicken souvlaki, either on the skewers or off, in an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Freezer – Place the cooled chicken in a freezer-safe bag or container and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. Defrost the chicken thoroughly in the fridge before reheating it.
• To Reheat – You can reheat chicken souvlaki in the microwave in 30-second intervals until hot.

More Easy Chicken Recipes

• One Pot Creamed Spinach Chicken
• Honey Garlic Baked Chicken Thighs
• Chicken Fajitas Casserole
• Crispy Honey Sesame Chicken