Chicken Souvlaki with Tzatziki Recipe

Let’s talk about a meal that feels like sunshine on a plate. Chicken Souvlaki with Tzatziki is that kind of food, you know?

It’s vibrant, incredibly tasty, and honestly, so much simpler to make at home than you might think.

Why This Meal Just Works

There’s a magic in the contrast here that gets me every single time. You have tender, herb-speckled chicken, hot off the grill or pan.

Then, you swipe it through a bowl of cool, creamy, garlicky tzatziki. The hot and cold, the char and the cream, it’s pure harmony.

Ingredients Needed for the Recipe

Gathering everything first makes the process smooth and easy. Here’s what you’ll need to bring those Greek flavours to life.

• Chicken Thighs (or Breast): Thighs stay wonderfully juicy on the skewer, but breast works great too. Cut them into good, bite-sized chunks.
• Olive Oil: The foundation of the marinade and for cooking. It carries all the other flavours beautifully.
• Lemon Juice: This is the bright, zesty kick that tenderizes the chicken and cuts through the richness.
• Garlic Cloves: Minced up for the marinade, and a little for the tzatziki too. It’s non-negotiable for that authentic punch.
• Dried Oregano: That classic, earthy Greek aroma comes straight from this humble herb jar.
• Salt & Black Pepper: To season everything perfectly, from the chicken to the cucumber sauce.
• Lebanese Cucumbers & Greek Yogurt: The heart of your tzatziki. The yogurt is thick and tangy, the cucumber adds a fresh crunch.
• White Wine Vinegar & Extra Virgin Olive Oil: For the tzatziki, adding a subtle sharpness and a lovely, rich mouthfeel.
• Flatbreads, Lettuce, Tomato: For serving! The vehicle for all this goodness, adding texture and freshness to each wrap.

How to make Chicken Souvlaki with Tzatziki?

The beauty is in the steps, each one building layers of flavour. Let’s walk through it.

Step 1 – Marinate the Chicken

First, combine your chicken pieces with the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper in a bowl.

Give it a really good mix, then let it sit. An hour is fine, but if you can, letting it marinate for a few hours or overnight is a game-changer.

Step 2 – Prepare the Tzatziki

While the chicken rests, make your sauce. Grate the cucumber, then squeeze out the excess water with your hands or a towel.

Mix this with the Greek yogurt, a little more garlic, vinegar, lemon juice, and oil. Season it, and let it sit to let the flavours mingle.

Step 3 – Skewer and Cook

Thread your marinated chicken onto skewers. If you’re using wooden ones, soak them in water first to prevent burning.

Heat a drizzle of oil in a heavy pan or on a barbecue grill over high heat. Cook the skewers for about 3 minutes per side, until beautifully golden and cooked through.

Step 4 – Assemble and Serve

Warm your flatbreads slightly. Spread a generous line of that cool tzatziki right down the centre.

Add some lettuce and tomato slices, then slide the hot chicken off the skewers and on top. Roll it up, and dig in immediately.

Perfect Sidekicks for Your Feast

While the souvlaki is a star on its own, it loves good company. A simple, chunky Greek salad with olives and feta is a natural pairing.

Or, a lemony rice pilaf can soak up any extra tzatziki and makes the whole meal feel extra special without much extra work.

Tips

• Don’t skip squeezing the cucumber for the tzatziki. Removing that water keeps your sauce gloriously thick, not watery.
• Get your pan or grill seriously hot before adding the skewers. You want a sizzle and a sear, not a steam, for the best colour and flavour.
• If you’re short on time, even a 30-minute marinade will work. The lemon juice works fast to tenderize and flavour the chicken.
• Let the cooked chicken rest for a couple of minutes after skewering. This helps the juices settle back into the meat, keeping it succulent.

Making It Your Own

The best home cooking always has a personal touch. Feel free to add a pinch of smoked paprika to the chicken marinade for a subtle warmth.

If you’re not a fan of yogurt, a herby lemon vinaigrette makes a fantastic, lighter alternative for drizzling. And honestly, any bread you have works—pita, tortilla, or even a soft bun.

The goal is to get that fantastic chicken into your mouth, with whatever makes you happy.

Print Recipe

Chicken Souvlaki with Tzatziki Recipe

Author: Kelsey Perez Cooking Method: Grilling Cuisine: Greek Courses: Dinner, Lunch

Difficulty: easy Prep Time 20 mins Cook Time 10 mins Total Time 30 mins

Cooking Temp: 200  C Servings: 4 Estimated Cost: $ 15 Calories: 385

Best Season: Summer, Spring

Description

The Greeks are mad about Chicken Souvlaki. As am I. And after you’ve tried it, you will be too! Simple to make and bursting with classic Greek flavours—chicken marinated in lemon, garlic, and dried oregano, then grilled on skewers and served with creamy homemade Tzatziki, fresh lettuce, tomato, and warm flatbread or pita. It’s a complete Greek feast in every bite!

ingredients

Servings

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 (freshly squeezed)
• 3 garlic cloves (minced)
• 2 tbsp dried oregano
• ¹⁄₂ – ³⁄₄ tsp salt (to taste)
• Black pepper (freshly ground, to taste)

To Cook / Serve

• 1 tbsp olive oil (for cooking)
• Flatbreads / wraps / pita bread (warmed)
• Lettuce (shredded or leaves)
• 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 (full fat recommended)
• 2 tsp white wine vinegar ((or red wine or apple cider vinegar))
• 1 tbsp lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
• ¹⁄₂ garlic clove (minced)
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil ((or more if you want richer))
• ¹⁄₂ tsp salt
• Black pepper (freshly ground, to taste)

Instructions

Chicken Souvlaki

1. Place chicken and all marinade ingredients into a bowl and mix well. Cover and marinate for at least 3 hours or overnight for best results.
2. Thread marinated chicken onto 8 soaked wooden or metal skewers.
3. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over high heat or preheat BBQ to medium-high (200°C / 400°F). Cook skewers for 3 minutes per side, or until chicken is cooked through and slightly charred.
4. Serve hot with Tzatziki, warmed flatbreads, shredded lettuce, and tomato slices.

Tzatziki

1. Cut the cucumber in half lengthwise. Use a teaspoon to scrape out the watery seeds. Coarsely grate the cucumber using a box grater.
2. Wrap the grated cucumber in paper towels or a clean tea towel and squeeze firmly to remove excess liquid.
3. In a bowl, combine the drained cucumber with Greek yoghurt, vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
4. Refrigerate for at least 20 minutes before serving to allow flavours to meld.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 4

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Amount Per Serving

Calories 385kcal

% Daily Value *

Total Fat 21g33%

Saturated Fat 6g30%

Cholesterol 105mg35%

Sodium 620mg26%

Potassium 480mg14%

Total Carbohydrate 12g4%

Dietary Fiber 1g4%

Sugars 5g

Protein 36g72%

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Calcium 120 mg

Iron 2 mg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

• Make ahead: Marinate chicken overnight for deeper flavour.
• Grill tip: If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes before threading to prevent burning.
• No grill? A cast-iron skillet or grill pan works perfectly on the stovetop.
• Serve as a platter: Skip the wraps and serve souvlaki skewers alongside Greek salad, lemon rice, and tzatziki for a full mezze spread.

Keywords: chicken souvlaki, greek chicken skewers, tzatziki sauce, mediterranean dinner, easy greek recipe