Whether you’re looking to add a little Greek flair to your cooking or are just a lover of flavorful and delicious meals, there’s no doubt that this chicken souvlaki should be on your menu. Additionally, this guide provides you with all the information you need to make this classic dish in the comfort of your kitchen.
You’ll learn all the tips and tricks needed to make the perfect Greek chicken souvlaki, including what ingredients to use, how to marinate, how to cook, and how to serve it. Therefore, if you’re ready to discover the deliciousness of Greek chicken souvlaki, let’s get started!
What Is Chicken Souvlaki?
Chicken souvlaki is a traditional Greek dish made with marinated pieces of chicken that are skewered and grilled. People typically serve it with pita bread, tomatoes, onions, and a sauce made from yogurt and cucumber, known as tzatziki.
Cooks usually marinate the chicken in a mixture of lemon juice, olive oil, and herbs such as oregano and rosemary, which gives it a distinctive flavor. Also, if you didn’t know, it is a popular street food in Greece and is often served at tavernas and restaurants.
Ingredients to Make Chicken Souvlaki at Home
If you’re looking to recreate the delicious flavors of chicken souvlaki at home, the first thing you’ll need to do is gather the necessary ingredients. To make this traditional Greek dish, you’ll need the following:
Main Ingredient
- 12 skinless and boneless chicken thighs
Essentials for the Marinade
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried mint
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- 1 tsp coriander
- 1 lemon for juice and zest, as well as 1 lemon sliced into serving-sized wedges
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 4 garlic cloves (crushed)
Requirements for the Pitta Wraps
- 1 tsp sachet of dried yeast
- 8.5 ounces white bread flour
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 1 tsp golden caster sugar
Ingredients for the Tzatziki
- 7 ounces Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cucumber
- 1 small garlic clove
- 2 tsp finely chopped mint
- 1/2 lemon juice
To Serve
- 1 red onion (thinly sliced)
- 4 large tomatoes (chopped and seeds removed)
- 1 butter or round lettuce
You Will Need
- 4 long metal skewers
With these ingredients on hand, you’ll be well on your way to making a delicious batch of chicken souvlaki in the comfort of your own home!
Cooking Instructions
To make the best chicken souvlaki at home, follow these steps:
#1 Marinade the Chicken
Mix the chicken with the marinade ingredients, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl until the chicken is well coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least three to 48 hours if you have the time.
#2 Make a Pitta Bread
Make the pitta bread several hours before you plan to eat. Mix the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt in a bowl. Add lukewarm water and olive oil, and combine into a dough. Knead the dough for 8-10 minutes on a work surface or five minutes in a tabletop mixer. Place the dough in a clean, lightly oiled bowl, cover it with cling film and let it rise for one hour or until it has almost doubled in size.
#3 Roll the Dough into Thin Circles
Separate the dough into four similar pieces and roll it into thin circles. Cover the circles with sheets of oiled cling film and let them rise for 15-20 minutes.
#4 Make the Tzatziki
To make the tzatziki, you must halve the cucumber lengthwise and scoop out all the seeds. Then, finely chop the cucumber and mix it with the remaining tzatziki ingredients and a bit of salt. Chill the tzatziki until it’s ready to serve.
#5 Preheat the Grill and Roast the Skewers
Preheat your grill to its maximum setting. Find a roasting tin/can with foil and get four metal skewers that are long enough to sit over the top of it with a small space underneath. Take the chicken out from the refrigerator and place one thigh over two skewers to have one through each side.
Furthermore, skewer additional chicken pieces, leaving a bit of space between each one. It should be possible to fit six chicken thighs onto each pair of skewers. Lastly, place the skewers on top of a roasting tin and set them aside while you finish preparing the pittas.
#6 Cook the Bread
Heat a large frying pan (or two) over medium-high heat, and then brush the pitta bread with oil. Place one piece of bread in the pan and cook until the bottom side is golden and bubbles form on the surface for about one to two minutes. Then, flip the bread and cook for an additional two-three minutes.
Repeat this process with the remaining slices of bread, wrapping them in foil to keep them warm. Alternatively, you can cook the bread on a barbecue grill for five-eight minutes, flipping them occasionally.
#7 Cook the Chicken on the Hot Grill
While the chicken is cooking, place it under the hot grill and cook for 15-20 minutes. Remember to regularly pour the chicken with oil and juices from the bottom of the tin and turn it over halfway through cooking. Once it is fully cooked, remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for five minutes before serving.
#8 Serve the Flavorful Greek Chicken Souvlaki!
To finish, cut each pair of skewers into four kebabs and serve the chicken on warm pitta bread with lettuce, tomato, red onion, lemon wedges, and tzatziki. Bon appétit!
Tips to Make Chicken Souvlaki
To make sure your chicken souvlaki comes out perfectly every time, follow these tips:
- Marinade the chicken for at least two hours or overnight. This method will help the flavors penetrate the meat and produce a more flavorful and tender dish.
- If you don’t have skewers, you can cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and cook them in a grill pan or on a stovetop over medium-high heat.
- Moreover, if you don’t have a grill, you can bake the chicken in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-25 minutes or until thoroughly cooked.
- To make a healthier version of chicken souvlaki, you can use chicken breasts or thighs trimmed with fat and grilled on a stovetop grill pan.
- Are you one of those people who want more flavorful meals? Then, to add more flavor to your chicken souvlaki, try using different herbs and spices in the marinade, such as cumin, coriander, or cayenne pepper.
- You can alternatively serve the chicken souvlaki with a side of rice or a salad if you don’t have pita bread.
FAQs
If you still have questions about the chicken souvlaki, look at this FAQ section below. We hope you find everything you want to know!
Is Chicken Souvlaki Healthy?
Chicken souvlaki can be a healthy option when prepared healthily. Using lean chicken breasts or thighs and grilling or baking them rather than frying them can help reduce the dish’s fat content. Additionally, a sauce (tzatziki sauce)made from Greek yogurt and cucumber rather than mayonnaise can help reduce the calorie and fat content.
What Is Tzatziki Sauce?
The tzatziki sauce is a traditional Greek sauce made from yogurt, grated cucumber, minced garlic, and fresh herbs such as dill or mint. People typically serve it with dishes such as chicken souvlaki and gyros.
How Can You Store and Reheat Leftovers?
If you have any leftover chicken souvlaki, you can store it in the refrigerator for up to five days in an airtight container. However, remember to remove the chicken from the skewers before storing it, as it will be easier to reheat and eat. Be sure to keep the chicken separate from any toppings or tzatziki sauce.
Furthermore, to enjoy your leftover chicken souvlaki, warm the chicken on the stovetop or microwave and add your preferred toppings. It’s a delicious and easy way to enjoy this tasty dish again!
What Can You Serve with Greek Chicken Souvlaki?
There are so many ways to enjoy chicken souvlaki! One is using it in a gyro wrap with tangy tzatziki sauce. Warm up some pita bread, add the chicken souvlaki and a generous helping of tzatziki, and you’ve got a tasty and satisfying meal.
Additionally, if you want to make chicken souvlaki even more of a meal, consider serving it with a classic Greek salad. No matter how you decide to serve your chicken souvlaki, it’s sure to be delicious for everyone! The combination of flavors and textures is unbeatable.
Final Thoughts
Chicken souvlaki is a delicious and flavorful Greek dish perfect for a quick and easy meal at home. Follow the recipe and tips in this guide, and you can easily make delightful chicken souvlaki that will impress your friends and family.
Also, feel free and trust your cooking skills to get creative. Add your spin to the dish by using different herbs and spices in the marinade or by experimenting with various accompaniments. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a beginner in the kitchen, chicken souvlaki is a dish that is easy to master and sure to be a hit with everyone.
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