The Greeks are mad about Chicken Souvlaki. As am I. And after you’ve tried it, you will be too!
Simple to make, loaded with classic Greek flavours: chicken marinated in lemon, garlic and dried oregano then threaded onto skewers. Served with a homemade Tzatziki, all bundled up in pita bread. Or in my case, a simple homemade flatbread that’s made without yeast!
Chicken Souvlaki
“Just make something quick and easy,” I told myself sternly. “Your To Do List is out of control at the moment. You don’t have time to blog something that will take too long.”
So I flicked through my “MUST BLOG SOON!” list to choose something that would be quick to make and picked this Chicken Souvlaki.
Got the chicken marinating, then sat down at my Mac to get on with my other tasks. But I couldn’t concentrate.
I had an itch. Not literally. Figuratively speaking. “I should make the flatbreads to go with the Chicken Souvlaki,” I thought. “It will save me a trip to the store to get pita bread.”
So I jumped up to make my Easy Soft Flatbreads – made without yeast that comes out lovely and soft so it’s perfect for using as a wrap.
I wrapped up the flatbreads to keep them warm and settled back down at my Mac. Clicked on “Create New Post” and stared at a blank screen. I couldn’t write. I had another tingling feeling of dissatisfaction. “I really should make a Greek Salad to go with this. I need more salads on my site. Plus it will look lovely and bright in the photo.”
So I jumped in the car and dashed out to get olives and feta for the Greek salad. It didn’t occur to me for a second that I had just made flatbreads to avoid going to the store.
Dashed home and chopped up the Greek Salad.
And while I was chopping up the Greek Salad, I had yet another thought. “I usually serve Lemon Rice with my Greek dishes. Wouldn’t it be nice to share that with everyone? It’s so fresh and yummy.”
Yes I did. I made Lemon Rice too.
So here you have it. This “quick Chicken Souvlaki” recipe that I intended to do has ended up being a complete Greek feast menu. *Eye roll*
This is so typical of me. I tend to get a little over-excited when I get ideas into my head.
And while it meant that my “quick little recipe” ended up evolving into a looooong cook/shoot/clean day, boy was it worth it. Because really, look at that spread. It was totally worth working late into the evening to do everything I was supposed to do during the day to be able to share this with you.
And the homeless guy at the dog park was rather appreciative too. 😉 – Nagi x
And to rehash – here’s what I made for the Greek menu
This chicken souvlaki recipe
Lemon Rice (pictured with Garlic Prawns/Shrimp)
And – more chicken on sticks!
Thai Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce – also Indonesian Satay
Yakitori (Japanese skewers) – on my mother’s Japanese cooking website, RecipeTin Japan!
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Chicken Souvlaki with Tzatziki
Ingredients
Marinade
- 1.5 lb / 750 g chicken thigh fillets (or breast), cut into 1″/2.5cm pieces
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 3 garlic cloves , minced
- 2 tbsp dried oregano
- 1/2 – 3/4 tsp salt
- Black pepper
To Cook / Serve
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Flatbreads / wraps / pita bread
- Lettuce
- Tomato slices
Tzatziki
- 2 Lebanese cucumbers (to make about ½ cup grated cucumber after squeezing out juice)
- 1 1/4 cups / 300 g plain Greek yoghurt
- 2 tsp white wine vinegar (or red wine or apple cider vinegar)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 garlic clove , minced
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (or more if you want richer)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- Black pepper
Instructions
- Place chicken and Marinade into a bowl and set aside to marinate for at least 3 hours to overnight.
- Thread chicken onto 8 skewers.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over high heat (or BBQ). Cook skewers for 3 minutes on each side, or until cooked through.
- Serve Chicken Souvlaki with tzatziki, flatbreads (make your own!), lettuce and tomato slices.
Tzatziki
- Cut the cucumber in half lengthwise. Use a teaspoon to scrape the watery seeds out. Coarsely grate the cucumber using a box grater. Then wrap in paper towels or a tea towel and squeeze to remove excess liquid.
- Place cucumber in a bowl. Add remaining ingredients then mix to combine. Set aside for at least 20 minutes for the flavours to meld.
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
LIFE OF DOZER
Look who’s in his usual position…..
Well, this looks amazing. The marinade has such good flavors in it and your flatbreads look incredible – seriously, they look perfect. Definitely will be checking out that recipe to learn your ways 🙂
Thanks Rachel! I can’t take credit – it’s the Greeks who invented Souvlaki! 🙂
Love souvalakis especially homemade ones like these, so delicious and comes together in no time at all.
Thank you Dhanya! I do hope you try this! 🙂
oh gosh it has been too long since i last had chicken souvlaki! love these. and they so remind me of summer!
Oooh I hope you do Thalia!!!
Okay, I have been cooking the Hawaiian chicken kebabs that you posted a few weeks ago regularly I might have to swap it out for these this weekend. And I will even attempt the flatbread 🙂
OMG I am obsessed with those Hawaiian Chicken Kebabs! Coconut is just the MOST incredible marinade!!! 🙂 N x
Never have to apologize for 4 recipes…what a treat! I will try this feast probably without skewers since my husband prefers grilling without them….
BTW, I’m having my third Arabian feast this weekend,,,15 people…always a hit…thanks
Lyn you ROCK! I am so glad you love the Arabian feast too! N x
This looks excellent, and I love that your tzatziki is not overloaded with dill… Also checked out the flat bread recipe and will have to try that.
Dill?? I must admit I never even considered that! 🙂
We love making our pitas but your flatbreads look too tempting not to try. I could pig out on your sandwiches. My Honey was stationed on Crete and he loved souvlaki — I’ll surprise him with this. Thank you for sharing!!! xoxo
Woah! He was in Crete? Where you with him??
Hi Nagi! Oh my goodness, just look at Dozer’s nose peeking out…his cute face always makes my day.
I can’t wait to try these recipes this weekend.
Ooooh I hope you do Oddree! It really is delicious! 🙂
You crack me up. I looked my blog feed and saw 4 new recipe posts. Whaaaaaat? She’s mad. She’s amazing! As is this dish. Looks scrumptious.
I’m MAD!!!! 🙂
Love it! This is one of the few recipes I’ve had to look elsewhere for in the past. Now I can try yours! With a turmeric rice and some added red/hot sauce I think. Thanks Nagi you da best!!
Oooh! Tumeric rice is DELICIOUS!!! And saffron rice too 🙂 I made a huge batch of saffron rice the other day!
Nagi, this is such a perfect summertime grilling recipe (it’s summer here). The Greek flavors are great.
Thank you Peter!! I know you’re in summer, that’s why I do half summer (for you guys in the Northern Hemisphere) and half WINTER recipes (for people like ME in the middle of WINTER!)
Hi Nagi! What a feast indeed! I can see why you had to keep expanding to get all the components in! This a perfect summer meal, light yet satisfying. I’ll bet your homeless gentlemen breaks into a grin when he sees you coming!
He certainly says he enjoys the variety!!! 🙂 I do enjoy making full spreads, I’ve been doing a few of them lately. This isn’t the only time I got a bit out of control!!!
Hi Nagi,
Yum!! I love Greek food and don’t eat enough of it!!!
Need to find a day and cook up a Greek feast!
Thanks for this quick Chicken souvlaki recipe along with the flatbread & salad. 🙂
Amy
Me too!! Greek is one of my favourite cuisines!! 🙂