If you’re looking to add some Mediterranean flavors to your next barbecue, look no further than this delicious Greek Chicken Souvlaki recipe. Grilling meats is a beloved tradition in Greece, and this recipe allows you to recreate that authentic experience in your own backyard.
This Greek Chicken Souvlaki is marinated in a flavorful blend of herbs and spices, ensuring each bite is bursting with savory goodness. Paired with a creamy Tzatziki sauce, it’s a dish that will transport your taste buds straight to the sunny beaches of Greece. Get ready to impress your friends and family with this mouthwatering recipe!
Greek Chicken Souvlaki Ingredients
To make delicious Greek chicken souvlaki wraps, you will need the following ingredients:
Chicken breast
Start with boneless, skinless chicken breasts. They are lean and tender, making them perfect for grilling.
Olive oil
Olive oil is a staple in Greek cuisine and adds a rich, fruity flavor to the marinade.
Lemon juice
Freshly squeezed lemon juice gives a tangy and refreshing taste to the chicken.
Garlic
Minced garlic is essential for adding a savory and aromatic element to the marinade.
Greek yogurt
Greek yogurt is thick, creamy, and adds a delicious tanginess to the tzatziki sauce.
Dried oregano
Dried oregano is a classic herb used in Greek cooking. It adds a lovely earthy and slightly floral flavor to the marinade.
Salt
Salt enhances the flavors of the chicken and other ingredients.
Black pepper
Freshly ground black pepper adds a hint of spiciness and warmth to the marinade.
Red onion
Red onions are crisp and slightly sweet, providing a delightful crunch and mild onion flavor to the wraps.
Tomatoes
Fresh and juicy tomatoes complement the chicken with their vibrant taste and texture.
Pita bread
Pita bread is a quintessential component of Greek cuisine. Its soft and fluffy texture makes it the perfect vessel to hold the flavorful chicken and toppings.
Greek Chicken Souvlaki Marinade Preparation
To prepare the marinade, follow these simple steps:
Combine olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper in a bowl
In a mixing bowl, pour the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Whisk everything together until well combined.
Add the chicken breast to the marinade and coat it well
Place the chicken breasts in the marinade, ensuring that each piece is coated thoroughly. The marinade will infuse the chicken with its flavors and help keep it moist during grilling.
Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight for better flavor absorption
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate it for a minimum of 2 hours. For even better flavor absorption, you can leave the chicken in the marinade overnight.
Greek Chicken Souvlaki Skewers
Creating the souvlaki skewers is both simple and fun:
Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning
Before threading the chicken onto the skewers, soak the wooden skewers in water for a minimum of 30 minutes. This prevents them from burning during grilling.
Cut the marinated chicken breast into 1-inch cubes
Once the chicken has marinated, remove it from the bowl and cut it into 1-inch cubes using a sharp knife. Cutting the chicken into uniform cubes ensures even cooking.
Thread the chicken cubes onto the skewers
Carefully thread the chicken cubes onto the wooden skewers, leaving a small space between each piece. This allows for even heat distribution during grilling.
Greek Chicken Souvlaki Grilling
Grilling the chicken souvlaki skewers brings out their smoky flavors:
Preheat the grill to medium-high heat
Before placing the skewers on the grill, preheat it to medium-high heat. This ensures that the chicken cooks evenly and gets those beautiful grill marks.
Brush the grill grates with olive oil to prevent sticking
To prevent the chicken from sticking to the grill grates, lightly brush them with olive oil. This also adds a subtle flavor to the chicken.
Place the skewers on the grill and cook for about 4-5 minutes per side or until the chicken is fully cooked
Gently place the skewers on the preheated grill and cook for approximately 4-5 minutes per side. Use tongs to carefully flip the skewers once the chicken has developed a golden brown color. Cook until the chicken is fully cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Remove the skewers from the grill and let them rest for a few minutes
Once the chicken is cooked to perfection, carefully remove the skewers from the grill and let them rest for a few minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring moist and flavorful chicken.
Greek Chicken Souvlaki Tzatziki Sauce
No Greek chicken souvlaki wrap is complete without the iconic tzatziki sauce:Combine Greek yogurt, minced garlic, grated cucumber, lemon juice, and chopped dill in a bowl
In a bowl, combine Greek yogurt, minced garlic, grated cucumber, lemon juice, and chopped dill. The Greek yogurt adds creaminess, while the minced garlic, grated cucumber, lemon juice, and dill add refreshing flavors to the sauce.
Greek Chicken Souvlaki: Season with salt and pepper to taste
Add a pinch of salt and a sprinkle of black pepper to the tzatziki sauce, adjusting the seasoning to your preference. Mix well to incorporate all the flavors.
Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld
Cover the bowl with the tzatziki sauce and refrigerate it for a minimum of 30 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld together and intensify.
Assembly
Now it’s time to assemble the mouthwatering Greek chicken souvlaki wraps:
Slice the red onion and tomatoes
Thinly slice the red onion and tomatoes to add layers of crunch and freshness to the wraps.
Warm the pita bread on the grill or in the oven
To warm the pita bread, you can either place it directly on the grill for a minute or two on each side or warm it in the oven for a few minutes. This brings out the bread’s softness and enhances its taste.
Spread a generous amount of tzatziki sauce on the pita bread
Take a warmed pita bread and generously spread the tzatziki sauce onto it. This acts as a creamy and tangy base for the other ingredients.
Place the grilled chicken souvlaki on top
Carefully remove the grilled chicken souvlaki from the skewers and place it on top of the tzatziki sauce. The tender chicken cubes will rest perfectly on the pita bread.
Add sliced red onion and tomatoes
Layer the sliced red onion and tomatoes over the chicken, adding a burst of color and natural sweetness to each bite.
Roll up the pita bread tightly to form a wrap
To complete the assembly, tightly roll up the pita bread, enclosing all the delicious ingredients inside. The wrap is now ready to be savored.
Greek Chicken Souvlaki: Serve and Enjoy
Your Greek chicken souvlaki wraps are now ready to be enjoyed:
Serve the delicious Greek chicken souvlaki wraps hot
Serve the wraps while they are still warm, allowing the flavors to meld together and the chicken to remain tender.
Pair with a side of Greek salad or roasted potatoes
To enhance the Greek experience, serve the wraps alongside a fresh Greek salad or flavorful roasted potatoes. These sides will complement the chicken and add even more variety to the meal.
Enjoy the flavors of Greece in every bite
With each savory and tangy bite, you’ll be transported to Greece, enjoying the traditional flavors of souvlaki and tzatziki. Let the vibrant ingredients and delicious combination of flavors transport you to the sunny shores of the Mediterranean.
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Author: Bob
With over 20 years in Bioinformatics and AI in Molecular Diagnostics, Bob Stavrou advises BiCos, focusing on authenticating OLIVE OIL DNA. He's also a passionate contributor to YouTube Cooking with Greek People and appeared on Greek TV show Savvatokiriako Me Ton Manesi, bridging science and culinary arts. Watch it on Alpha TV.
