What is Souvlaki?
In Greek, the word souvlaki means “meat on skewers“, but in Greece, the term souvlaki can also be used to describe the tasty meal that includes those skewers.
When you order this street food specialty in Athens or from a Greek vendor in your neighborhood, typically, Greek chicken souvlaki is served with warm pita and tzatziki sauce, with fresh veggies on the side.
If you’re looking for other chicken kabob or skewered meat recipes, try my Mexican-Inspired Fajita Chicken Kabobs, or one of my favorites, Lebanese Shish Tawook.
Chicken Shawarma is another grilled chicken dish that is served wrapped in a Pita that you have to try.
I also love making Grilled Shrimp Kabobs and Grilled Veggie Kabobs!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients In This Chicken Souvlaki Recipe
Here’s what you need to make the marinade for chicken souvlaki:
Chicken: Start with boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Cut them into cubes that are about 1 inch wide. Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice adds acidity to the marinade and helps to tenderize the chicken. Be sure to use fresh lemons, as the flavor from bottled lemon juice is just not the same. Olive Oil: good quality extra virgin olive oil is a must for our chicken souvlaki marinade. It adds moisture and richness to the meat. Garlic: Three whole cloves of garlic, minced very finely or pressed give chicken souvlaki a warm, savory flavor. Salt, Pepper, and Oregano: To finish up the marinade, season it well. Oregano is a common herb in Greece and a key ingredient here.
Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
How To Make Chicken Souvlaki
Recipe Tips
Marinate for the right amount of time. If you don’t marinate the chicken long enough, it won’t be flavorful, but if you let it marinate too long, the acid will start to break down the meat too much. The ideal marinating time for chicken souvlaki is somewhere between 1 and 4 hours. Try Chicken Thighs. Chicken breast is the traditional protein used for chicken souvlaki, but you can also make this recipe with boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Don’t Overcrowd the Skewers. Leave a bit of space between each piece of chicken so that the meat cooks evenly. Let the Chicken Rest. Resting the chicken for just a few minutes allows it to retain its juices and remain moist.
What To Serve With Chicken Souvlaki
These Greek Souvlaki skewers can be enjoyed as a main dish with your family’s favorite dinner side dishes, but for an authentic meal, I suggest enjoying souvlaki with classic Greek fixings. Creamy Tzatziki Sauce, Yogurt Flatbreads, and a healthy Greek Salad will help tie together a delicious meal. You might also like to try my Orzo Greek Salad with chicken souvlaki!
Storing Tips
Store leftover grilled chicken souvlaki in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 or 4 days. It’s delicious cold, added to a salad or wrap, or you can reheat it in the microwave for a minute if you like. Before storing, ensure that the chicken souvlaki has cooled down to near room temperature. Storing while it’s still hot can lead to condensation in the container, which can promote bacterial growth. If you need to store it for longer, you can freeze the chicken souvlaki for up to 3 months. Make sure to use freezer-safe containers or freezer ziptop bags. When you’re ready to eat it, defrost it in the refrigerator overnight and reheat it as above. This easy Chicken Souvlaki Recipe is so simple to make, and completely delicious! Pin the recipe, and make this the next time you need a new and exciting way to cook chicken breast. © Little Sunny Kitchen
