Are you tired of making the same old chicken for dinner every single night? I know how easy it is to fall into a food rut. You want something that tastes amazing, but you do not want to spend hours working in a hot kitchen. That is why I am so excited to share this classic Greek meal with you today.
Chicken souvlaki is a wonderful choice for a weeknight family meal or a fun weekend dinner with friends. It brings bright and fresh Mediterranean flavors right to your own kitchen table. You get tender pieces of chicken that soak up a tangy lemon and herb marinade. Cooking them gives you a nice char on the outside while keeping the inside super juicy.
You can serve these tasty skewers with warm pita bread, crisp vegetables, and a big scoop of cool yogurt sauce. If you love simple cooking that tastes like it came from a nice restaurant, you are going to fall in love with this recipe. It is fresh, filling, and very fun to put together.
Ingredients Needed
To make this delicious Greek dinner, you will need a few fresh items from your local grocery store. Nothing on this list is hard to find. Here is what you need to grab before you start cooking:
- Two pounds of boneless and skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite sized cubes
- One fourth cup of extra virgin olive oil
- Juice of two large fresh lemons
- Four cloves of garlic, minced very fine
- One tablespoon of dried oregano
- One teaspoon of dried dill
- Salt and black pepper to your taste
- Wooden or metal skewers for the chicken
- Four large pita breads
- One cup of plain Greek yogurt
- Half of a cucumber, grated and liquid squeezed out
- One ripe tomato, sliced thin
- Half of a red onion, sliced thin
Step By Step Making
Making great food does not have to be stressful. Just take it one step at a time, and you will have a wonderful dinner ready before you know it. Follow these simple instructions to get the best results every single time.
1. First, let us make the marinade for the chicken. Grab a large mixing bowl. Pour in your olive oil, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried dill, salt, and black pepper. Whisk everything together with a fork until it is well combined.
2. Next, add your cubed chicken pieces right into the bowl with the marinade. Stir them around so every single piece of chicken gets coated in the oily herb mixture. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place it inside your refrigerator. Let it sit for at least thirty minutes. If you have more time, let it marinate for up to two hours so the flavors really soak in.
3. While the chicken is resting in the fridge, you can make your homemade tzatziki sauce. Take a small bowl and mix your plain Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, a tiny pinch of salt, and a splash of leftover lemon juice. Stir it well and put it in the fridge to keep it cold until you are ready to eat.
4. If you are using wooden skewers, soak them in water for about twenty minutes so they do not catch fire while cooking. Once your chicken is done marinating, take the pieces out and thread them carefully onto your skewers. Do not crowd the pieces too tightly, or the inside might take too long to cook.
5. Heat up your outdoor grill, or a large grill pan on your stove, over medium high heat. Give the grates a light coating of oil so the chicken does not stick. Place your skewers on the hot surface.
6. Cook the chicken skewers for about ten to twelve minutes in total. Make sure you turn them every few minutes so all sides get nice golden brown marks. You want the internal temperature of the chicken to reach a safe level before you take them off the heat.
7. While the chicken finishes cooking, warm your pita breads for just a minute on the warm grill or in a dry pan until they are soft and pliable. You can learn more about making basic kitchen staples by checking out The Ultimate Fluffy Scrambled Eggs for a Perfect Morning if you are looking for more fun breakfast or brunch ideas later.
8. Now it is time to assemble your plates. Lay a warm pita bread down. Top it with your cooked chicken straight off the skewer. Add your sliced tomatoes, red onions, and a generous dollop of your homemade tzatziki sauce. Wrap it up like a burrito or eat it open faced with a fork.
Nutritional Value
It is always nice to know what you are putting into your body. This meal gives you a great balance of lean protein, healthy fats, and good carbohydrates. Here are the approximate numbers for one serving of this chicken souvlaki wrap:
- Protein: About thirty five grams
- Calories: Around four hundred and fifty calories
- Carbs: About thirty eight grams
Health Benefits
Eating well should always feel like a treat rather than a chore. This meal offers some fantastic benefits for your body. The chicken provides a high amount of lean protein, which helps your muscles stay strong and repair themselves after a busy day.
Using olive oil instead of heavy butter gives your body healthy fats that are great for your heart. Fresh garlic and lemon juice add lots of bright flavor without adding extra sodium or empty sugars. Adding fresh vegetables like tomatoes and cucumbers gives you vitamins and fiber to keep your digestion happy.
When you cook at home using fresh ingredients, you take control of what you eat. You avoid all the hidden preservatives and heavy salts found in fast food options. It is a wonderful way to take care of yourself and your family while enjoying a truly delicious meal.
Whenever you need more inspiration for your weekly meal plan, you can always visit Azeely for fresh ideas that make cooking at home simple and fun. Enjoy your dinner tonight!
Disclaimer: This recipe information is provided by azeely.com for general informational purposes only.
