Description
Juicy, tangy, and aromatic grilled chicken skewers marinated in lemon, garlic, olive oil, and oregano. This easy takeout-style recipe delivers authentic Greek flavor with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ½ cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 8–10 wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes
- Warm pita bread for serving
- Tzatziki sauce for serving
- Chopped tomatoes for serving
- Red onion for serving
- Fresh parsley for serving
Instructions
- Pat chicken cubes dry with paper towels and cut into uniform 1-inch pieces.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried thyme, red wine vinegar, salt, and black pepper until emulsified.
- Pour marinade over chicken, toss to coat evenly, cover, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (ideally 4-6 hours or overnight).
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat (400°F / 200°C) and lightly oil the grates.
- Thread marinated chicken onto skewers, leaving space between pieces. Discard leftover marinade.
- Grill skewers for 5 minutes on the first side, flip, and grill for another 5-6 minutes until lightly charred and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Rotate skewers a quarter turn halfway through for cross-hatch marks.
- Remove from grill and let rest for 2 minutes before serving with warm pita, tzatziki, and sides.
Notes
Soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning. Do not reuse raw marinade unless boiled for 2 minutes. Chicken breast cooks quickly; use a thermometer to avoid drying out. For best flavor, marinate overnight.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 skewers per servin
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 8
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 35
Keywords: Greek chicken, souvlaki, skewers, grilled chicken, summer dinner, easy recipe, takeout alternative, Mediterranean