Chicken souvlaki skewers with lemon wedges and oregano.
This Chicken Souvlaki is bright, garlicky, and packed with lemon-herb flavor. A quick marinade makes the chicken pieces tender, then you grill fast for light charring. It’s a copycat restaurant dish you can make at home, even on a grill pan.
When you want something fresh and flavorful, Chicken Souvlaki is a win.
The marinade is the secret: lemon, olive oil, garlic, and oregano.
Once you try it at home, you’ll want it on repeat.
Why You’ll Love This Chicken Souvlaki
- Better than restaurant: Fresh lemon and garlic taste extra vibrant.
- Fast cooking: Small pieces cook in minutes.
- Meal-prep friendly: Great for bowls and wraps.
- Flexible cooking: Grill, grill pan, or broil.
Ingredients for the Best Chicken Souvlaki
For the marinade + skewers
- Chicken pieces (about 1 1/2 pounds, 1-inch chunks): Perfect for skewers.
- Olive oil (3 tablespoons): Helps browning and keeps it juicy.
- Lemon juice + zest (from 1–2 lemons): Bright and fresh.
- Garlic (3 cloves, minced): Classic flavor.
- Dried oregano (2 teaspoons): Greek-style taste.
- Paprika (1 teaspoon): Color and mild warmth.
- Salt + black pepper: To taste.
- Skewers: Soak wooden skewers 20 minutes.
How to Make Chicken Souvlaki
- 1. Whisk: Olive oil, lemon juice, zest, garlic, oregano, paprika, salt, pepper.
- 2. Marinate: Toss chicken pieces. Chill 30 minutes to 4 hours.
- 3. Skewer: Leave a little space between pieces.
- 4. Grill: Medium-high heat 8–12 minutes, turning often, until lightly charred and cooked through.
- 5. Rest: 5 minutes, then serve with lemon.
Tips for Perfect Chicken Souvlaki
- Don’t crowd skewers: Space = better browning.
- At least 30 minutes: Quick marinade still helps a lot.
- No grill: Broil on a sheet pan, flipping once.
Variations & Substitutions
- Bowl style: Serve over rice with cucumber and tomato.
- Extra herbs: Finish with parsley.
- Add veggies: Skewer bell pepper and onion too.
Make-Ahead & Freezing
Fridge: 3–4 days. Freeze cooked pieces up to 2 months; thaw overnight and reheat gently.
Serving Suggestions
- In pita
- Over rice bowls
- With roasted potatoes
- On a party platter
Reader Review
So fresh and flavorful — tasted like our favorite Greek place!
Chicken Souvlaki Recipe Card
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 27 minutes (plus marinating)
Yield: 4 servings
Category: Dinner
Method: Grill / Grill Pan
Cuisine: Greek
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