Chicken Souvlaki – Greek Kabobs

Call them chicken souvlaki or Greek chicken kabobs. Either way, they’re delicious!

If you’re new to souvlaki, hang onto your hats; you’re in for a treat. Basically, souvlaki (soo-vlah-kee) is a popular Greek street food. Consisting of skewered marinated meat that is quickly seared over a hot fire, it’s typically eaten right off the skewer or stuffed into pita bread. It can also be served as a dinner over a bed of rice with grilled vegetables. Occasionally, I’ll add a skewer to fresh salad greens for the perfect Greek salad. Smaller skewers could even be used as an appetizer.

Traditionally, pork or lamb is used, but chicken, beef and even firm fish such as swordfish or tuna will also work quite well.

What makes this dish so delicious is the marinade. The herbs of the Mediterranean come together in such a way, that it imparts a perfect balance of flavor to whichever meat is used. Then of course, there’s the flavor from the grill.

As if that’s not enough flavor, souvlaki isn’t quite complete without a tasty sauce. Tzatziki, a cucumber-yogurt sauce is most common, but a mint-lime dipping sauce or other creamy sauces may also be served with it.

Grab some bamboo skewers, hunt down a tasty looking bird and let’s make some souvlaki…chicken style!

Ready to marinate some chicken souvlaki?

Chicken Souvlaki - Greek Kabobs

 

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Prep time

30 mins

Cook time

10 mins

Total time

40 mins

 

Consisting of skewered marinated meat that is quickly seared over a hot fire, souvlaki is typically eaten right off the skewer or stuffed into pita bread. It can also be served as a dinner over a bed of rice with grilled vegetables. Please allow maximum marinating time for best results.

Author: Gary Glen

Recipe type: Entree

Cuisine: Greek

Serves: 2-4

Go Get This Stuff

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-1/2-inch cubes
• 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1-1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1-1/2 teaspoons oregano
• 1-1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 3/4 teaspoon dried thyme
• 3/4 teaspoon dried marjoram
• 3/4 teaspoon dried sage
• 3/4 teaspoon dried basil
• fresh squeezed lemon juice (for serving)
• bamboo skewers

Then Do This

1. Go ahead and thread the chicken on the skewers. It's less messy to do it now than after it's been in the marinade. Just be sure you have a baking dish or resealable bag that is the proper size to accommodate the skewers. If not, marinate the chicken pieces without the skewers.
2. Add all ingredients except the chicken in a bowl and mix well. Pour marinade into a large plastic freezer bag or into a baking dish. Add the chicken. Press out the air and seal freezer bag or cover baking dish. Refrigerate for 4 to 8 hours; more is better. Turn occasionally.
3. Remove chicken and pour marinade into a small sauce pan. Bring to a boil and reduce heat. Simmer for 8 minutes. Allow to cool. Note: Never reuse a marinade that has had raw meat soaking in it unless you first boil it for several minutes.
4. Slide chicken pieces onto the skewers if not already done.
5. Prepare a gas or charcoal grill. Over high heat, grill skewers for 6 to 10 minutes, rotating and basting a couple of times with the reserved marinade. When cooked through and browned on ALL sides, remove from grill and squeeze a little fresh lemon juice on each skewer. Allow to rest for a few minutes.
6. Serve with pita and sauce or on a bed of rice.

Notes

Tip: If using pita bread, why not toss it on the grill while the souvlaki rests? Cook until slightly warmed and grill marks are present.

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Give it a squirt of fresh lemon juice and the chicken souvlaki is done. Grab the pita bread and sauces!

Recipe © 2015 Gary Glen | Photos © 2015 Gary Glen | All rights reserved

You’ll need a sauce to serve with the souvlaki. Try one of these…or all three!

Tzatziki Sauce Whether you call it tzatziki or call it cucumber sauce, seems this sauce is good for a lot of things. Try it on Buffalo wings. Click the image for the recipe.

Mint-Lime Dipping Sauce This mint-lime is a refreshing dipping sauce and goes perfect with spicy food and grilled meats. It’s also a great general purpose dip. Click the image for the recipe.

Coconut Peanut Sauce Peanuts team up with coconuts. This coconut peanut sauce is perfect on grilled meats or as a multipurpose condiment. Delicious! Click the image for the recipe.

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