Description
This Greek Chicken Souvlaki recipe features tender, marinated chicken pieces grilled to perfection with a flavorful blend of olive oil, lemon, garlic, and Greek seasoning. Ideal for a delicious and easy-to-make Mediterranean main course, it’s perfect for outdoor grilling or indoor cooking using a grill pan, air fryer, or oven.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite size pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
- 4 large garlic cloves, minced
- 3 tablespoons Greek seasoning
- 1 large lemon, juiced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a ziplock bag or a tightly covered bowl, combine olive oil, white wine vinegar, minced garlic, Greek seasoning, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to create the marinade.
- Marinate the Chicken: Add the chicken pieces to the marinade, seal the bag or cover the bowl, and shake or stir to ensure the chicken is fully coated. Refrigerate for at least 6 hours or preferably overnight to develop flavor and tenderness.
- Cook the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the marinade and discard any leftover marinade. Thread the chicken pieces onto skewers. Grill the skewers on an outdoor grill or a stovetop grill pan over medium heat, cooking until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and is no longer pink inside, approximately 15 minutes total with occasional turning.
- Alternative Cooking Methods: For air frying, place the skewers or individual chicken pieces in an air fryer at 370°F and cook for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until cooked through. For oven baking, arrange the chicken in a baking dish and bake at 400°F for 20 minutes, flipping halfway, until done.
- Rest the Chicken: Once cooked, wrap the chicken in foil and let it rest for 5 minutes. This step helps lock in the juices and ensures the chicken is tender and flavorful.
- Serve: Serve the chicken souvlaki as desired, with traditional accompaniments like pita, tzatziki sauce, or a fresh Greek salad.
Notes
- Storage: Store cooked chicken souvlaki in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Removing the chicken from the skewers before storing makes it easier to keep and reheat.
- Freezing: Freeze the marinated raw chicken in a freezer-safe ziplock bag along with the marinade for later use. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before cooking as directed.
- Cooking Tips: Ensure the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F to guarantee it is safely cooked. Resting the chicken is essential for juicy texture.
- Substitutions: You can use either chicken breasts or thighs depending on preference; thighs tend to be juicier.
- Serving Suggestions: Pair with pita bread, tzatziki, grilled vegetables, or a fresh Greek salad for a complete Mediterranean meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
