Main dishes Greek & Mediterranean
Chicken Souvlaki and Homemade Tzatziki
Lemon and oregano marinated chicken skewers, served in warm pitas with dill tzatziki.
Souvlaki is the favorite Greek street food: small pieces of marinated meat, grilled on skewers and tucked into a pita with tomatoes, onion, and tzatziki. The lemon, garlic, and oregano marinade makes the chicken tender and flavorful. One hour of marinating is enough, but overnight is even better.
Halal
Step-by-step method
0 / 4 steps done-
In a mixing bowl, combine the olive oil, lemon juice and zest, crushed garlic, oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken, toss to coat, cover, and let marinate for at least 1 hour in the refrigerator.
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Prepare the tzatziki: grate the cucumber, squeeze it in a kitchen towel to remove the water, then mix it into the yogurt with the grated garlic, dill, olive oil, and a pinch of salt. Chill in the refrigerator.
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Thread the chicken onto the skewers. Heat a grill pan over high heat and cook the skewers for 10 to 12 minutes, turning them regularly: the chicken should be golden brown and cooked through (74 °C in the center).
Check the temperature at the thickest part with a food thermometer.
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Warm the pitas for 1 minute on each side in the pan. Fill them with chicken, tomatoes, red onion, and tzatziki, and serve immediately.
Nutrition 530 kcal
of which sugars 6 g • of which saturated 5 g
Per serving, approximate values.
Allergens
MilkWheat (gluten)
Always check the labels of the products you buy.
Tips and variations
- Pork: this is the most common version in Greece, using cubed pork shoulder.
- Baked: place the skewers on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes at 220 °C, turning halfway through.
- Plated: serve the skewers with french fries, a Greek salad, and tzatziki on the side.
Storing and reheating
Cooked skewers will keep for 2 days in the refrigerator, the tzatziki for 3 days. Reheat the chicken in a skillet and warm the pitas at the last minute.
Equipment
Skewers (wooden, soaked in water for 30 min), grill pan or barbecue, grater, mixing bowl
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Questions
How long should I marinate the chicken?
At least 1 hour in the refrigerator, ideally 4 hours. Beyond 12 hours, the lemon starts making the meat mealy.
Can I substitute the dill?
Yes, with fresh mint, which is also widely used in tzatziki in Greece.
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