This Chicken Souvlaki recipe combines juicy grilled chicken, a bright lemon-herb marinade, and simple ingredients to create one of the most flavorful Greek-inspired meals you’ll ever make at home. Tender chicken is threaded onto skewers, grilled until lightly charred, then tossed with a reserved portion of the marinade for an extra burst of fresh flavor.
What makes this recipe different is the quick brine. It helps keep the chicken incredibly juicy while the lemon, garlic, oregano, and parsley create the classic Greek flavors that make chicken souvlaki so irresistible. Serve it with warm pita bread, homemade Tzatziki Sauce, and a crisp Greek Salad for an easy dinner that feels like a meal from your favorite Mediterranean restaurant.
Chicken souvlaki is a classic Greek dish made with marinated chicken skewers grilled until juicy and lightly charred.
If you love easy grilled dinners, be sure to try my Greek Chicken, Grilled Chicken Greek Salad, Greek Rice, and Tzatziki Sauce next.
Before You Begin
Don’t skip the brine. A quick soak in salt water helps chicken breasts stay juicy and flavorful on the grill.
Use fresh lemon juice and zest. Fresh citrus provides the bright, clean flavor that makes chicken souvlaki taste authentic.
Cut the chicken into evenly sized pieces. Similar-sized pieces cook at the same rate and make threading skewers easier.
Reserve part of the marinade before adding raw chicken. You’ll toss the hot cooked chicken with this reserved marinade at the end for an extra layer of flavor.
Soak wooden skewers before grilling. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes to help prevent burning.
Cook to 165°F. Use an instant-read thermometer and remove the chicken as soon as it reaches a safe temperature to keep it tender and juicy.
Why This Recipe Works
✨ Quick brine keeps the chicken juicy. Chicken breast can dry out quickly on the grill, but a short brine helps it stay tender and flavorful.
✨ Bright lemon-garlic marinade. Fresh lemon juice, zest, garlic, and oregano give the chicken its classic Greek flavor.
✨ Double-marinated for maximum flavor. A portion of the marinade is reserved and tossed with the hot cooked chicken for an extra burst of freshness.
✨ Perfect for wraps, bowls, and salads. Serve it in warm pita bread with tzatziki or add it to salads and grain bowls for an easy meal.
Ingredients + Key Notes
Chicken Breasts: A quick brine helps keep chicken breast juicy and tender on the grill.
Fresh Lemon Juice + Zest: Fresh citrus provides the bright flavor that makes chicken souvlaki so refreshing.
Garlic: Adds savory depth and balances the acidity of the lemon.
Olive Oil: Helps carry the flavors of the marinade and keeps the chicken moist.
Oregano: One of the signature flavors in traditional Greek cooking.
Pita Bread: Warm pita is perfect for serving with chicken, tzatziki, and fresh vegetables.
Tzatziki Sauce: Adds cool, creamy contrast to the grilled chicken.
🥣 How To Make Chicken Souvlaki
Start by brining the chicken in a mixture of salt and cold water for 30 minutes. This simple step helps the chicken stay juicy and flavorful on the grill. Once the brining time is up, remove the chicken and pat it dry with paper towels.
While the chicken brines, whisk together the olive oil, garlic, parsley, lemon zest, lemon juice, honey, oregano, and black pepper. Be sure to reserve a portion of the marinade before adding the chicken—you’ll use it later to give the finished souvlaki an extra burst of fresh flavor.
Toss the chicken with the remaining marinade until evenly coated, then thread the pieces onto skewers. While the chicken marinates, warm the pita bread in the oven and prepare any toppings you’d like to serve alongside it.
Grill the skewers until the chicken is lightly charred on the outside and cooked through. As soon as the chicken reaches 165°F, transfer it to the bowl containing the reserved marinade and toss gently to coat. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes so it can absorb all that bright lemon-herb flavor.
Serve the chicken in warm pita bread with tzatziki sauce, tomatoes, cucumber, onion, lettuce, and feta cheese for a fresh, satisfying Greek-inspired meal.
Pro Tips
✨ Don’t crowd the skewers. Leave a little space between pieces of chicken so the heat can circulate evenly.
✨ Use an instant-read thermometer. Chicken breast can dry out quickly, so pull it from the grill as soon as it reaches 165°F.
✨ Toss the hot chicken with the reserved marinade. This extra step adds a fresh burst of lemon-herb flavor that sets this recipe apart.
✨ Warm the pita before serving. Soft, warm pita bread makes assembling wraps much easier and improves the overall texture.
✨ Prep the toppings while the chicken marinates. Having everything ready makes assembly quick and easy once the chicken comes off the grill.
Storing + Reheating + Freezing + Make-Ahead
How Long Will Chicken Souvlaki Keep? Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Store the toppings separately for the best texture.
Reheat: Warm the chicken gently in the microwave in short intervals or in a covered skillet over medium-low heat until heated through.
Can I Freeze Chicken Souvlaki? Yes! The cooked chicken freezes well for up to 3 months. Allow it to cool completely before storing in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag.
Make-Ahead Tips: The chicken can be brined and marinated several hours ahead of time. You can also prep the vegetables and tzatziki in advance, making assembly quick and easy when it’s time to eat.
Serving Suggestions
Chicken Souvlaki is incredibly versatile and can be served several different ways depending on the occasion.
Build pita wraps. Stuff warm pita bread with chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, feta cheese, and plenty of tzatziki sauce.
Make a grain bowl. Serve the chicken over rice or quinoa and top with fresh vegetables and a drizzle of tzatziki.
Serve as a platter. Arrange the skewers on a large serving tray with warm pita, fresh vegetables, olives, and lemon wedges for an easy family-style meal.
Add it to salads. Leftover chicken souvlaki is delicious sliced and served over crisp greens with cucumbers, tomatoes, and a simple vinaigrette.
Perfect for entertaining. The skewers can be served as an appetizer or part of a Mediterranean-inspired dinner spread.
Frequently Asked Questions
♦ What is chicken souvlaki?
Chicken souvlaki is a traditional Greek dish made with marinated chicken threaded onto skewers and grilled until juicy and lightly charred. It’s commonly served with pita bread, fresh vegetables, and tzatziki sauce.
♦ What’s the difference between chicken souvlaki and chicken gyros?
Chicken souvlaki is made with pieces of marinated chicken cooked on skewers. Chicken gyros are typically made with sliced or shaved meat and served in pita bread with toppings and sauce.
♦ Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Yes! Boneless skinless chicken thighs are an excellent substitute and stay especially juicy on the grill. Cut them into similar-sized pieces before marinating and skewering.
♦ Can I make chicken souvlaki without a grill?
Absolutely. Cook the skewers on a grill pan indoors or cook the marinated chicken in batches in a large skillet over medium-high heat until cooked through.
♦ How long should I marinate chicken souvlaki?
This recipe develops great flavor in as little as 30 minutes, but you can marinate the chicken for up to 4 hours for even more flavor.
♦ Can I make chicken souvlaki ahead of time?
Yes. You can brine and marinate the chicken earlier in the day, then grill it just before serving. Leftovers are also great for wraps, salads, and meal prep.
Still have questions? Drop them in the comments — I love helping you cook with confidence! 💗
More Mediterranean Recipes
Greek Moussaka — Layers of eggplant, seasoned meat sauce, and creamy béchamel come together in this classic Greek comfort food casserole.
Greek Pasta Salad — Loaded with crisp vegetables, feta cheese, and a bright homemade dressing, this pasta salad is perfect for potlucks, picnics, and easy lunches.
Mediterranean Salad — Fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, feta, and a tangy vinaigrette make this colorful salad a refreshing side for any meal.
Greek Turkey Meatballs — Tender, flavorful meatballs seasoned with classic Greek herbs and perfect for serving with pita bread, rice, or tzatziki sauce.
Balsamic Chicken — Tender chicken cooked in a rich balsamic glaze with plenty of savory flavor, making it an easy dinner for busy weeknights.
Tried This Recipe?
Leave a review, I love hearing your feedback! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Chicken Souvlaki
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into 1 inch pieces
Brine:
- 2 tablespoons salt
- 1 quart cold water
Marinade:
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, minced
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano, crumbled
Fresh Vegetables:
- 2 large tomatoes, seeded and chopped
- 1 red onion, diced
- 1 English cucumber, chopped
- 1/2 a head of romaine lettuce, cut into strips
Other Ingredients:
- 1 cup feta cheese crumbled
- tzatziki sauce
Instructions
- Brine the chicken: In a large mixing bowl, stir the salt into the cold water until completely dissolved. Add the chicken and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Prepare the marinade: While the chicken brines, whisk together the olive oil, garlic, parsley, lemon zest, lemon juice, honey, oregano, and black pepper in a small bowl. Pour 1/4 cup of the marinade into a large mixing bowl and set aside for later.
- Marinate the chicken: Remove the chicken from the brine and pat dry with paper towels. Toss the chicken with the remaining marinade until evenly coated, then thread onto skewers.
- Warm the pita: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Wrap the pita bread in foil and warm in the oven for 10–15 minutes, or until heated through.
- Grill the chicken: Cook the skewers on a grill or grill pan for 5–7 minutes per side, or until the chicken reaches 165°F on an instant-read thermometer.
- Finish with the reserved marinade: Transfer the hot cooked chicken to the bowl containing the reserved marinade and toss gently to coat. Cover loosely with foil and let rest for 5 minutes.
- Assemble and serve: Place chicken on warm pita bread and top with tzatziki sauce, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, lettuce, and feta cheese. Serve immediately.
- Assemble the Gyros: Place a pita on a piece of parchment or foil, place a layer of chicken down the center, tzatziki sauce, and veggies. Serve immediately.
Fresh gyros in the summer is delightful! Fresh, healthy and delicious. Thanks for the reminder and the inspiration.
Hi, Velva! I couldn’t agree more! Enjoy 🙂
Made it. Loved it! Making it for the third time today. Delicious!
Hi Michelle. So happy you loved it! I do too 🙂
Hi Kathleen
Great recipe .
Thank you so much we loved it.
Thanks from the Uk.
Thank you so much Bernice 🙂
Hi – How would you recommend cooking this if grilling is not an option? thanks!
Hi Beth. Absolutely! A grill pan works great!
I love your blog. However, there are so many ads it takes the page forever to load. Especially the ones “ad choices” that block the page and freeze the page.
I know ads are necessary but maybe less? Or less obtrusive aggressive ones at least.
Hi Julie. Thank you so very much for you input. I will talk to my tech person who handles all of those and ask her to remove those! I appreciate your patience and honestly want you to have a good experience on my blog!
Where is the recipe for the tzatziki sauce? When I click on it in the recipe it does not give me the recipe. Thank you! Sounds delicious!
Hi Janet. I just fixed the link. Thanks so much for letting me know it wasn’t connecting. Hope you enjoy.