Chicken Souvlaki

This Chicken Souvlaki recipe features juicy grilled chicken skewers marinated in lemon, garlic, and herbs for classic Greek flavor. Perfect served with warm pita, fresh vegetables, and tzatziki sauce for an easy Mediterranean-inspired meal.

Course Main Course

Cuisine Greek

Keyword Chicken Gyro, chicken skewers, chicken souvlaki, chicken souvlaki recipe, Greek Chicken Recipe, greek chicken skewers, greek chicken souvlaki, grilled chicken recipe, grilled chicken skewers, mediterranean chicken

Prep Time 1

Cook Time 15

Total Time 1 15

Servings servings

Calories 432kcal

Author Kathleen

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

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Brine the chicken: In a large mixing bowl, stir the salt (2 tablespoons) into the cold water (1 quart) until completely dissolved. Add the chicken (1 pound) and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Prepare the marinade: While the chicken brines, whisk together the olive oil (1/3 cup), garlic (1 tablespoon), parsley (2 tablespoons), lemon zest (1 teaspoon), lemon juice (1/4 cup), honey (1 teaspoon), oregano (1 teaspoon), 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 (177ºC). 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 (74ºC) 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.

Notes

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.

Nutrition