This post contains affiliate links. When you purchase through our links, we may earn a commission.

This chicken souvlaki recipe is easy, straightforward and delicious. The beautiful flavour comes from a simple yogurt marinade, enhanced by the smoke of a grill. 

This Hummus with Grilled Eggplant is also an incredible addition to a chicken souvlaki wrap. Or try your hand at grilled seafood with these tasty Shrimp Kebab!

chicken souvlaki skewers on top of pita bread filled with hummus and vegetables
Would you like to save this recipe?
We’ll email this recipe to you, so you can come back to it later!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

It’s difficult to imagine summer meals without grilling, and for us personally without chicken souvlaki!

It might be because one of my best friends is Greek. We’ve had amazing meals at her house we are forever trying to emulate. Or it could be our longing to recreate our holiday memories from Crete!

Either way chicken or pork souvlaki served with fresh pita bread and an array of salads and dips is a summer feast, that is impossible to forget! 

Chicken Souvlaki

Great news is souvlaki is easy to make at home. All you need is meat marinated for flavour and tenderness, skewers and grill. 

The best way to enjoy these Greek chicken skewers is in a warm pita bread with a generous helping of tzatziki, sliced cucumbers, tomatoes and onions. Those simple ingredients increase the flavour and overall satisfaction by a factor of 100!

The marinade

The recipe I am sharing today is not the most authentic but it produces stellar results. I marinate my chicken in plain yogurt, garlic, lemon zest and juice and a touch of salt, pepper and dried oregano. 

You can easily substitute yogurt with This is an affiliate link.olive oil for a more authentic feel but I love using yogurt. Marinating meat for grilling in yogurt or kefir is very common in Russia, so I decided to use the technique here. 

chicken souvlaki recipe process photos

How to make it

Making chicken or pork souvlaki is easier than easy. Cut skinless, boneless chicken breasts or thighs into 2 inch cubes. It’s important not to cut them too small or they will dry out quickly on the grill. 

Simply mix yogurt, lemon juice and zest, minced garlic, salt and dried oregano and add cubed chicken breasts or thighs, then marinate for at least 3 hours. 

Remove the meat from the marinate and skewer on This is an affiliate link.metal or This is an affiliate link.bamboo skewers. If using wooden sticks, soak them in water for several hours to prevent them from catching fire on the grill. 

Grill for approximately 7 minutes on one side, then turn over and cook for 5 minutes longer on the other side. Cooking time will be longer or shorter depending on the size of chicken pieces. 

two chicken skewers on top of flatbread drizzled with yogurt

Serving suggestions

Not too many things are as great as perfectly seasoned grilled chicken inside a pita bread! My favourite way of enjoying the chicken souvlaki is inside of a flatbread of sorts. You can use pita bread or even naan!

I also love adding hummus, tzatziki, sliced tomatoes and cucumbers. My husband adds sliced onions as well as lettuce. Charred eggplant spread Baba Ganoush is also a favourite condiment here. 

You can serve your grilled chicken on top of a salad if you are avoiding carbs. This Mediterranean Salad with Hummus and Fried Halloumi is an ideal companion. 

In Greece souvlaki is often served with fries, which I absolutely love! If you don’t want to bother with making your own fries, you can opt for a delicious Greek Potato Salad from my amazing friend Lucy of Supergolden Bakes. Or you can make my Greek Orzo Salad with Grilled Zucchini

More grilled chicken recipes

5 from 7 votes

Chicken Souvlaki

Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: 3 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 4
This chicken souvlaki recipe is easy, straightforward and delicious. The beautiful flavour comes from a simple yogurt marinade, enhanced by the smoke of a grill.
Save this recipe!
Get this sent to your inbox, plus get new recipes from us every week!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Equipment

  • Grill

Ingredients 

  • 2 lbs skinless boneless chicken breasts , or thighs
  • 250ml/1 cup plain yogurt
  • 1 lemon, juice and zest
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 0.5 tsp pepper

Instructions 

  • Cut the chicken breasts into 2 inch cubes. (Don't cut them too small or they will dry out in the intense heat of the grill.) Soak wooden skewers in water if using. In a large and shallow bowl combine the plain yogurt, zest and juice of one lemon, minced garlic, salt, pepper and dried oregano. Add the chicken to the marinade, cover with plastic wrap and marinate for at least 3 hours or overnight.
  • Remove the chicken from the marinade and discard the marinade. Skewer the chicken onto wooden or metal skewers. You should get 4 large or 8 smaller skewers. Preheat the grill and either brush with oil or coat with non-stick spray. Grill the chicken for approximately 7 minutes on one side, then turn over and 5-7 on the other side.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 279kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 49g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 147mg | Sodium: 852mg | Potassium: 900mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 83IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 44mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Julia from Vikalinka

About Me

Julia Frey is a London based recipe developer and photographer. Julia founded Vikalinka in 2012 with the main mission to provide her readers with delicious and accessible everyday recipes, which could be enjoyed by everyone.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




12 Comments

  1. Carrie says:

    5 stars
    This was so delicious and easy!! Even my picky teen ate 2!!! Thank you!!

    1. Julia Frey (Vikalinka) says:

      I am always happy when my recipes are picky eaters approved!! Thanks, Carrie.

  2. Juliette A Eberhard says:

    5 stars
    We had this with flatbread, greek salad and tzatziki the other day and it was a great hit with the family. So simple to make – but delicious. Will definitely do it again

    1. Julia Frey (Vikalinka) says:

      Yes, this comment totally made my day, Juliette! So happy you all enjoyed it! 🙂

  3. Lisalia says:

    5 stars
    Yummy! I LOVE chicken recipes. This one is delicious straight from the grill. Can’t wait to make it again!

    1. Julia Frey (Vikalinka) says:

      Grilled recipes in the summer are a must!! 🙂 My family can’t have enough.

  4. Toni says:

    5 stars
    So delicious! The chicken was moist and so flavorful. So easy to make too!

    1. Julia Frey (Vikalinka) says:

      I am so happy to hear that, Toni!

    2. Carrie says:

      5 stars
      Amazing flavor! Will definitely be a regular on our menu. Thanks!

      1. Julia Frey (Vikalinka) says:

        My pleasure!!

  5. Aimee Shugarman says:

    5 stars
    This is incredible. Going on our menu AGAIN!!!

    1. Julia Frey (Vikalinka) says:

      Yes, Aimee!! 🙂