Chicken Souvlaki

Grilled Greek Chicken kabobs marinated in flavorful oregano, garlic marinade, served with side of grilled pita!

Chicken Souvlaki

Chicken Souvlaki is Greek chicken kabobs marinated in fresh herb oregano (my fav), garlic, lemon, olive oil and seasonings. So simple, but amazingly flavorful chicken kabobs, Chicken Souvlaki is must try for every Mediterranean food lover! *Gluten free, carb-free, low-fat, paleo, and whole-30 diet friendly.

So today I thought to give you another favorite to include in your Summer BBQ menu! 

Oh, and no worries if you not looking to grill. I have included instructions to prepare chicken souvlaki kabobs in oven! With just 10 minutes prep and pantry staples, this Greek chicken main course is much easier to prepare at home than you might imagine. 

So, let's cook some chicken sooov-lah-kee! Shall we?

Greek Chicken Souvlaki Recipe

Just like most Greek chicken recipes, herbs and spices are heart of Chicken souvlaki. Being a spice and herbs fanatic, this chicken preparation won me over for my love of oregano. I came across oregano chicken (first time) in a Mexican restaurant... (I know! What are the odds?!)

...then, second time in a Greek restaurant.. even though both marinades and taste profiles were different.. one thing I connected with immediately.. and that was the oregano. 

If you love Greek/Mexican cooking.. I'm sure you are no new to flavor of oregano. It is also a good antioxidant and healthy herb. I love using it in soups, and even in salad dressings

In simple words, there is no chicken souvlaki without oregano. Period.

Of course, garlic, lemon, and olive oil are also important ingredients in souvlaki marinade.. but oregano, is the Star! My personal touch in this marinade is cumin powder (for some earthiness), parsley for freshness, and little chili flakes for a subtle kick.

Chicken Souvlaki Marinade

For chicken souvlaki recipe, I used combination of fresh and dried oregano. Dried oregano is more potent and adds more punch of flavor. Honestly, when I don't have fresh oregano in-hand, I often replace is all with dried.

How To Prepare Chicken Souvlaki

To prepare chicken souvlaki, I start by mixing marinate ingredients, oregano, garlic, lemon, olive oil, parsley, chili flakes, and cumin powder in a bowl or a seal-able plastic bag. Once marinade is ready, I either slice chicken into bite-size pieces or pound chicken tenders into flat strips to make (little fancy) skewers. Either ways, for good flavor, it is important to marinate chicken for at-least 30 minutes. This is what brings out the flavor of oregano and garlic. Also, marinade tenderizes chicken and kabobs come out moist and juicy. (yum!)

When ready to grill, I skew chicken onto skewers, and throw on pre-heated grill until chicken is fully cooked from all sides and kabobs have nice char.. exactly like you get in Greek restaurants! 

That's it! Souvlaki Chicken is really THAT easy recipe. Just make sure to keep an eye on chicken when start to char, don't let oregano burn out. I like to brush kabobs with mixture of lemon, oil and salt.. this mixture keeps kabobs moist and prevents burning of delicious marinade.

Easy Souvlaki Chicken Kabobs Recipe

Mix marinade, marinate chicken, skew and grill! #deliciouschickensouvlaki

In-fact, I often marinate an extra batch of chicken. (Marinade recipe doubles easily). then, one weekdays, even when I have no plans to switch-on grill, chicken souvlaki is ready in oven or even on stove-top in a cast iron grill pan. My personal favorite is oven-method.. or I should say, oven broil method because it brings that charred grilled kabobs flavor in chicken.

Note: I have included method to cook chicken souvlaki in oven in the notes because you will be making it again. I bet! This recipe is a sure winner!

Chicken Souvlaki Kabobs

The chicken souvlaki recipe is *gluten free but I'm including grilled pita idea for serving. It is optional, yet I must say, Souvlaki and pita are simply made for each other. To grill pita, oil pita bread, and throw on the grill just until nice grill mark appears on both sides. Serve on side for a complete Mediterranean chicken dinner with side of rice and salad. I also recommend serving Tzatziki sauce on side.

TIP: If you want to keep dinner gluten free, only serve with side of rice and greens salad. If looking for carb free... Skip rice as well and double the amount of greens.

Now, this is the magic of home cooking! Isn't it? Gluten free, carb free or just a Greek-style dinner night, you can take homemade food and go many healthy directions!

Chicken Souvlaki Kabobs recipe with rice and pita

More Summer Grill Season Recipes

I'm all about summer grilling these days. Try following reader's favorite recipes:

Don't stop there! This week, I have plans to bring to you, two more recipes that will add value to your Chicken Souvlaki Dinner! If you making this tonight, cook some extra and save leftovers. hint hint

Updates: June 6: Tzatziki Sauce.
June 9: Creamy Healthy Tzatziki Chicken Salad

-Savita x

Chicken Souvlaki

5.0 (55 reviews)
Chicken Souvlaki
Total Time: Prep Time: Cook Time: Cuisine: Mediterranean () Difficulty: Easy
Yields: 1.5 lb skewers - Serves: 3
Nutrition: 328 calories per serving (Nutrition per serving does not include Pita Bread or Rice.)

Ingredients

Chicken Souvlaki
Grilled Pita, for Serving (optional)

Directions

  • 1. Prepare Souvlaki Marinade To make the Souvlaki Marinate, in a wide bowl (with a lid) or in seal-able bag, add all ingredients except chicken in the ingredient list above. Mix well and set aside.
  • Step for Recipe - Chicken Souvlaki 2. Marinate Chicken Slice chicken breast into small 1-2 inch pieces. Add to the marinade and coat into the marinade. Cover with lid (or close the bag), refrigerate until ready to use. Marinating for 20-30 minutes tenderize the meat and makes it very flavorful. You can marinate it up-to overnight. Additional Notes: You can also use chicken tenders or cut chicken breast into small strips (2 inch long, 1-2 inch wide), place on a tray. Top with piece of plastic wrap, then pound a bit to make even size.
  • Step for Recipe - Chicken Souvlaki 3. Make Chicken Skewers and Grill For grilling, preheat grill. Skew pieces of marinated chicken souvlaki into the skewers. I **skewed about 4-5 long tenders per skewer. Grill on preheated grill until chicken is fully cooked from all sides. Additional Notes: If cooking in oven, check **Oven Method in notes.
  • Step for Recipe - Chicken Souvlaki 4. Grill Pita and Serve Chicken Souvlaki If serving grilled pita on side, spray oil on grill pita bread until nice grill marks appear on both sides (30 sec to 1 minute each side). Serve on side with Chicken Souvlaki! Serve and enjoy!
Savita's Notes:

Grilling Tips:

  1. Leave a little space towards handle of skewers for proper handling on grill.
  2. If using wooden skewers, pre soak them in water so that these not burn quickly on grill. I also cover tips of skewers with aluminum foil to avoid burning while grilling.

Chicken Souvlaki in Oven To prepare in oven, preheat oven, place skewers on sheet lined with foil/parchment. Set broiler on, cook 5-7 minutes each side or until kabobs are fully cooked.

Calories/Serving: There are 328 calories per serving. It does not include side of pita bread or rice. Please note, in grilled meats, oil used in marinade mostly drips away. So, actually calories will be even lesser.

Disclaimer: Recipe adapted from - Foodnetwork.com
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE? Tag @SAVITACHEFDEHOME on Instagram and hashtag it #SAVITACHEFDEHOME

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137 Responses

  1. Making this dish again..everyone keeps asking when I’ll make this dish!
  2. This recipe is fabulous!
  3. Made this today…absolutely delish
  4. This was fantastic! I grilled on my indoor griddle and served with Mediterranean Orzo salad and toasted Naan. Saving for sure!
  5. Very good. It has an authentic flavour.
  6. So easy and so flavourful!
  7. Love this marinade , I make it for every event I have . Tonight I’m doing the skewers but I usually make chicken thighs
  8. Delicious! The marinade helps keep the chicken moist and flavorful.
  9. We have made this recipe numerous times and we are never disappointed! It’s better than most Greek restaurants! Thank you!!!!
  10. Looks good. Gonna give it a try
  11. If using the oven method, what temperature do you preheat the oven?
    It depends on kind of oven. For consistent heat, I start oven at broiler settings and let it run a minute or so before starting to broil skewers. Or preheat oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit, then put in the souvlaki skewers and switch on the broiler.
  12. Mom of 3 here and am so happy to have found a recipe that EVERYONE loves! Thank you for sharing…looking forward to trying your other recipes!!
    Thanks for letting me know. I hope you find more favorites recipes on the blog.
  13. My "Go To" recipe for summer guests!
  14. My family absolutely loves this chicken souvlaki! It often makes its way into our dinner rotation!
    Thanks for letting me know. 🙌
  15. I love all the herbs and spices you've used for these skewers.
    Thanks. Oregano and cumin add tone of flavor in marinade. Must try!
  16. I really enjoyed this recipe! The souvlaki sauce was fantastic, I am thinking about using it in many more dishes!
  17. These were fabulous, that marinade made all the difference!
    Indeed, marinade is what makes Souvlaki.
  18. This chicken recipe is absolutely delicious!
  19. This was delicious . Will definitely make again . My husband cooked chicken on a cast iron grill pan
    Thanks for letting me know.
  20. Delicious flavor--not too much oregano. It was a perfect balance of flavors. The addition of grill, smokey flavor adds just the right touch.
    Thanks for the feedback. I agree, can’t beat the char grilled flavor!
  21. Amazing flavor, not heavy on oregano but just right! Love it grilled. I made this for my husband as a special treat.
  22. Loved, loved this! So flavorful and fresh. We devoured it and I’ve made it like 3 more times in a month.
    Thanks for letting me know! 🙌
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