Easy Chicken Souvlaki
Easy homemade Chicken Souvlaki with Greek marinade, grilled vegetables, and pita. Ready in under an hour with simple ingredients.
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
- 0.25 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 0.5 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 medium red onion, cut into 1-inch chunks
- 2 medium bell peppers (red or yellow), cut into 1-inch chunks
- 8 wooden or metal skewers
- 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary sprigs
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 4 pita breads or flatbreads, for serving
- Fresh dill and scallions, for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes before grilling to prevent burning.
- 2
Combine olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, dried oregano, thyme, and red pepper flakes in a large mixing bowl.
- 3
Add sea salt, black pepper, and lemon zest to the marinade and stir thoroughly to combine all seasonings.
- 4
Place chicken cubes into the marinade and toss until every piece is fully coated, then cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to overnight for deeper flavor.
- 5
Thread marinated chicken pieces onto prepared skewers, alternating with red onion chunks and bell pepper pieces, leaving a small gap between each ingredient.
- 6
Heat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat until it's hot enough that water droplets sizzle immediately on contact, about 3-4 minutes.
- 7
Arrange skewers on the hot grill in a single layer and cook without moving them for 4-5 minutes until charred marks appear.
- 8
Flip each skewer carefully and grill the opposite side for another 4-5 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and registers 165°F on an instant-read thermometer.
- 9
Remove skewers from the grill and let them rest on a clean plate for 2-3 minutes before serving.
- 10
Warm pita breads directly over the grill flame or in a dry skillet for about 1 minute per side until soft and pliable.
- 11
Slide the grilled chicken and vegetables off the skewers onto a serving platter and garnish generously with fresh dill and sliced scallions.
- 12
Serve immediately with warm pita bread, tzatziki sauce, and additional lemon wedges for squeezing.
Variations & Substitutions
| Ingredient | Substitute | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Extra-virgin olive oil | Avocado oil or walnut oil | These oils have higher smoke points and offer different anti-inflammatory omega fatty acid profiles while maintaining the dish's richness |
| Red wine vinegar | Apple cider vinegar or white balsamic vinegar | These alternatives provide probiotic benefits and smoother acidity while supporting digestive health and blood sugar stability |
| Boneless, skinless chicken breast | Bone-in chicken thighs with skin removed | Thighs offer more collagen and minerals while remaining leaner than skin-on varieties, and deliver superior moisture and flavor |
| Pita bread | Whole wheat pita or sprouted grain flatbread | These alternatives provide higher fiber content, more stable blood sugar impact, and improved gut microbiome support |
| Dried oregano | Fresh oregano (3 tablespoons chopped) or fresh thyme | Fresh herbs contain higher levels of volatile compounds and polyphenols with greater anti-inflammatory potential than dried versions |
| Sea salt | Himalayan pink salt or herb-infused seasoning blend | These options reduce overall sodium content while providing trace minerals and additional flavor complexity without excess salt |
Recommended Equipment
Tools that make this recipe easier
Nutrition Information
Per serving (serves 4)
| Calories | 355 |
| Total Fat | 14g |
| Saturated Fat | 3g |
| Cholesterol | 95mg |
| Sodium | 480mg |
| Carbohydrates | 14g |
| Fiber | 3g |
| Sugar | 2g |
| Protein | 43g |
This recipe was extracted from the original video source using AI. Nutritional information is estimated and may vary. Not a substitute for professional dietary advice. As an Amazon Associate, AlmostChefs earns from qualifying purchases. Product links are affiliate links — they cost you nothing extra but help support the site. Read full disclaimer
