by Holly
Chicken Souvlaki is fast to prep, super easy and oh so delicious! Marinated chicken breasts and onions are threaded onto skewers and grilled until juicy and tender.
Serve souvlaki over rice or wrap it in a pita with lettuce and tomatoes for a perfect meal!
What is Souvlaki?
Souvlaki is meat that has been skewered and grilled, it can be chicken (as in this recipe) or made with beef, lamb or pork to name a few.
Gyro vs Souvlaki: Souvlaki has chunks of meat where a gyro generally has meat that has been thinly sliced/shaved. Shawarma is similar to gyro but has a different preparation and seasonings.
How to Make Chicken Souvlaki
This Souvlaki recipe is as easy as 1, 2, 3! Just marinate, thread, and grill!
- Marinate: Combine all the ingredients and chill for at least four hours while soaking the skewers.
- Skewer: Thread chicken and onions onto the soaked skewers
- Grill: Cook on an oiled grate grill, turning the skewers frequently to ensure the chicken in cooked through and through.
Serve it hot right off the skewer with a side of tzatziki for dipping.
While I love to grill this (I use my grill pan indoors in the colder months), you can make chicken souvlaki in the oven!
To Make Chicken Souvlaki in the oven, prepare skewers as directed. Place skewers on a foil lined pan and turn the broiler on to high. Broil 4-5″ from the heat for 5-6 minutes per side or until chicken reaches 165°F.
Soaking wood skewers in water keeps them from burning when they’re on the grill or stove. Remember this technique anytime you’re using skewers, for grilled vegetables or meats.
How Long to Marinate Chicken Souvlaki
The longer the luscious herbs, spices, and garlic are allowed to infuse into the chicken, the more tender and succulent it will be! That’s what makes chicken souvlaki such an easy recipe, the make-ahead-magic!
Perfect for planning ahead since chicken souvlaki can be made and held in the fridge up to 24 hours ahead!
What to Serve with Souvlaki
Since souvlaki is a grab-and-go kind of snack, simple sides are the best.
- Pitas, lettuce, cucumbers, olives and feta.
- Greek Salad
- Rice, roasted potatoes (with lemon)
- A healthy side of Greek yogurt, some extra tzatziki, or baba ganoush sauce for dipping is also very popular!
- A marinated side of tomatoes and cucumbers bring a tangy bit to the deeply flavored chicken and veggies.
Chicken Souvlaki
Prep Time 15 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Course Chicken, Main Course
Cuisine GreekEquipment
Ingredients
- 1 lemon juiced
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 3 cloves garlic crushed
- 4 chicken breasts cubed into bite sized pieces
- 1 onion cut into bite sized pieces
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in large bowl and mix well. Refrigerate at least 4 hours. Soak wooden skewers in water (at least 1 hour).
- Thread chicken and onions onto skewers.
- Cook on an oiled grate or grill pan turning skewers frequently for 10 to 15 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and reaches 165°F.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition Information
Delicious Recipes on Skewers
- Hawaiian Chicken Kabobs – sweet & juicy chicken!
- Grilled Red Potatoes – just 4 ingredients!
- Garlic Grilled Shrimp – great appetizer or snack
- Grilled Brussels Sprouts – so simple to prepare!
- Grilled Chicken Kabobs with Vegetables – great to make-ahead
