Easy Chicken Souvlaki

By Rena Awada | Updated On June 28, 2021

This Chicken Souvlaki is grilled to perfection and marinated in a deliciously bright marinade with citrus, red wine vinegar, and fresh parsley. Tender and filled with flavor, this chicken souvlaki can be served with pita bread, fresh cucumbers and tomatoes, and Greek yogurt sauce.

top view of chicken souvlaki on white plate with vegetables


Bright and filled with protein, this chicken souvlaki recipe is the perfect addition to a Greek-inspired platter for BBQs, cookouts, or just an easy weeknight dinner. This easy chicken recipe is so simple to prepare and can be cooked on the grill or a grill pan on the stovetop.

This tender chicken souvlaki is made with a creamy Greek yogurt sauce that is filled with fresh dill, grated cucumber, and lemon juice. All of the flavors of this recipe create the perfect combination that is appetizing, healthy, and delicious.

Why You Will Love This Chicken Breast Recipe

  • Healthy: This recipe is gluten-free and made with healthy, wholesome ingredients low in carbs and high in nutrients. If you’re looking for a lean dinner option, then you will love this chicken souvlaki.
  • Easy to make: This chicken is made in about 30 minutes! Great for when you’re wanting to keep things simple, but palatable!
  • Incredibly tender: The bold citrus marinade creates the juiciest and most tender chicken you’ll ever eat. You will love the bold, savory, and subtly sweet flavors!
front view of Greek yogurt sauce in bowl with grilled chicken

Ingredients Needed to Make This Greek Souvlaki

This is just a list of basic ingredients you will need to make this Souvlaki Chicken. You will find the full measurements listed below.

Chicken breast, boneless and skinless
lemon, both the zest and juice of two lemons
oil, olive oil, or any other neutral oil
honey
vinegar, red wine vinegar
seasoning: oregano, Kosher salt, and pepper
parsley, freshly chopped
garlic, freshly grated on the Microplane
chicken, boneless and skinless, cubed
Greek yogurt, plain
cucumbers, English cucumbers
dill, freshly minced
tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, quartered
olives, kalamata, pitted

top view of chicken souvlaki ingredients

How to Make This Greek Chicken Souvlaki recipe

Make the chicken souvlaki marinade: First, in a mixing bowl, whisk the lemon juice, zest, oil, honey, vinegar, and seasonings. Stir in the chicken pieces.

Marinate the chicken: Next, allow the chicken to marinate in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes.

Make the Greek yogurt sauce: Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine yogurt, lemon juice, grated cucumber, fresh dill, salt, and pepper. Place in the refrigerator.

Place chicken on skewers: Next, thread the marinated chicken pieces onto the skewers.

Preheat oven or grill: Preheat the grill pan or oven to medium heat.

Cook the chicken: Next, add the chicken skewers and cook for 10-12 minutes while flipping several times.

Serve: Finally, serve the chicken with the yogurt sauce and freshly chopped veggies such as cucumber, pitted kalamata olives, and tomatoes.

ingredients for Greek yogurt sauce
grilled chicken on skewers

Recipe Notes and Tips

  • Be sure to cook the chicken to at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Do not overcook the chicken so it doesn’t dry out.
  • Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
  • You can use maple syrup in place of the honey.
  • If using bamboo skewers, then be sure to soak them in water prior to use.
  • Use fresh garlic if possible.
  • Dill: the fresh dill will bring out the flavors of the yogurt sauce dip.
  • For a dairy-free version, use plant-based yogurt.
close view of chicken souvlaki in bowl with tomatoes and cucumbers with olives

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between chicken souvlaki and greek gyro?

Traditionally, Greek chicken souvlaki is chicken served on skewers whereas gyros consist of shaved meats. Both can be served with tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, and tzatziki sauce.

What does souvlaki mean?

Souvlaki means “skewer” and is typically hot and small pieces of meat served on skewers. All different types of meats can be used for souvlaki such as fish, lamb, beef, chicken, etc.

What’s the difference between souvlaki and kebab?

Both dishes are made with grilled pieces of meat on skewers, but souvlaki is traditionally served with pita bread and kebabs are served by themselves.

one plate of chicken souvlaki with yogurt sauce

Other Recipes You’ll Enjoy

front view of grilled chicken with fresh vegetables

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grilled souvlaki with vegetables and greek yogurt sauce

Easy Greek Souvlaki

This Chicken Souvlaki is grilled to perfection and marinated in a deliciously bright marinade with citrus, red wine vinegar, and fresh parsley. Tender and filled with flavor, this chicken souvlaki can be served with pita bread, fresh cucumbers and tomatoes, and Greek yogurt sauce.
5 from 11 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Greek
Diet: Gluten Free, Low Fat
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 27 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 457kcal
Author: Rena
Cost: $15

Ingredients

  • 1½ lb chicken breast , boneless and skinless – cut into 1-inch chunks
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon oregano dried
  • 1 teaspoon salt Kosher
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper ground
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley

Greek Yogurt Sauce

  • 1 ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice or to taste
  • ½ cup grated cucumber squeezed
  • ¼ cup fresh dill minced
  • Kosher salt to taste
  • pepper to taste

To Serve

  • 1 English cucumber sliced
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes quartered
  • ½ cup kalamata olives pitted

Instructions

  • In a mixing bowl whisk the lemon juice, zest, oil, honey, vinegar and seasonings. Stir in the chicken pieces and mix to coat. Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 15 minutes or more if refrigerated.
  • Meanwhile, in a small bowl combine all yogurt sauce ingredients and refrigerate until ready to use.
  • Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto 6-8 skewers.
  • Preheat a grill pan or an outdoor grill to medium heat.
  • Add chicken skewers and cook, flipping them several times, for around 10-12 minutes in total.
  • Serve the chicken skewers with the yogurt sauce and freshly chopped veggies like cucumber, tomatoes and pitted kalamata olives.

Notes

  • Be sure to cook the chicken to at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
  • You can use maple syrup in place of the honey.
  • If using bamboo skewers, then be sure to soak them in water prior to use.
  • Use fresh garlic if possible.
  • For a dairy-free version, use plant-based yogurt.

Nutrition

Calories: 457kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 46g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 113mg | Sodium: 1083mg | Potassium: 1111mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 981IU | Vitamin C: 33mg | Calcium: 147mg | Iron: 2mg
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Eric Reyes says

    5 stars
    I tried grilling it and my daughters like it, I used the boneless chicken thighs. It’s juicy and delicious.

  2. Nicole says

    5 stars
    This was AMAZING!! I couldn’t believe the beautiful color it had in the pan and the smell was delicious!

  3. Krista Poolpeace says

    5 stars
    Made this today for lunch. Everyone loved it. I will make this again. I also made the Tzatziki sauce recipe listed above; it was also a hit. My son doesn’t like it from the Greek place we eat at but he ate this & said it was good. making Hawawshi later in the week. Thank you for sharing all these wonderful recipes.

  4. Pauline says

    Hi. You haven’t added the chicken in the above recipe!
    So looking forward to making this dish.

  5. Dora says

    5 stars
    Sounds and looks delicious. Am I missing how much chicken to use and what part of the chicken? Breast or thigh?

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