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Flavorful Greek Lemon Chicken Souvlaki Recipe with Creamy Tzatziki Perfect for Quick Dinners

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This Greek lemon chicken souvlaki with creamy tzatziki is a quick, easy, and flavorful Mediterranean dish featuring lemon-herb marinated chicken thighs grilled to perfection and served with a rich, creamy yogurt sauce.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about 1 large lemon)
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup Greek yogurt, full-fat preferred
  • ½ large cucumber, grated and excess water squeezed out
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 4 pita breads or flatbreads, warmed
  • Thinly sliced red onions (optional)
  • Fresh tomato slices
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper. Add chicken pieces and toss until evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, ideally up to 2 hours.
  2. Grate the cucumber and squeeze out excess moisture using a clean towel or cheesecloth. In a bowl, combine Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, minced garlic, lemon juice, dill, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Mix well, cover, and chill for at least 30 minutes.
  3. Remove chicken from marinade and thread pieces onto soaked skewers, leaving space between pieces.
  4. Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Lightly oil grill pan if using.
  5. Grill chicken skewers for 4-5 minutes per side, turning once or twice, until nicely charred and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  6. Warm pita breads briefly on grill or in a dry skillet until pliable and slightly charred.
  7. Assemble souvlaki by placing grilled chicken on warmed pita, spooning on creamy tzatziki, adding tomato slices and red onions if desired, and garnishing with fresh parsley. Fold and serve.

Notes

Marinate chicken for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours for best flavor. Squeeze excess water from cucumber to keep tzatziki creamy. Soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes before grilling to prevent burning. If no grill is available, bake skewers at 425°F for 15-20 minutes, turning halfway. Use chicken breasts if preferred but reduce cooking time to avoid drying out. For dairy-free tzatziki, substitute Greek yogurt with coconut or almond-based yogurt. Gluten-free pita or lettuce wraps can be used for gluten-sensitive diets.

Nutrition

Keywords: Greek chicken souvlaki, lemon chicken, tzatziki sauce, Mediterranean recipe, quick dinner, grilled chicken, easy chicken recipe

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