Description
This grilled chicken souvlaki recipe offers a flavorful and healthy Greek-inspired meal featuring marinated chicken breasts perfectly charred on skewers. Quick to prepare and cook, it’s ideal for a Mediterranean dinner or a light main course that’s both gluten-free and packed with protein.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Souvlaki
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Wooden or metal skewers
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, paprika, cumin, salt, and black pepper until well combined to create a flavorful marinade.
- Marinate the Chicken: Add the chicken pieces to the marinade and toss them until fully coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 8 hours to allow the flavors to penetrate the chicken.
- Preheat the Grill: Heat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat, ensuring it’s hot enough to cook the chicken evenly and develop a nice char.
- Assemble the Skewers: Thread the marinated chicken pieces evenly onto the wooden or metal skewers, spacing them slightly to ensure even cooking. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes beforehand to prevent burning.
- Grill the Chicken: Place the skewers on the preheated grill and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, turning every few minutes to ensure even cooking and light charring on all sides.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the skewers from the grill and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes to retain juices before serving. Serve with warm pita, tzatziki sauce, tomato, onion, or over a Greek salad for a complete meal.
Notes
- Serve chicken souvlaki with warm pita, tzatziki sauce, tomato, onion, or over a Greek salad for authentic Greek flavors.
- If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before grilling to prevent them from burning.
- Marinating the chicken longer, up to 8 hours, enhances flavor and tenderness.
