Chicken Souvlaki - Greek Skewers

Elena Butuc

It's finally time for us to enjoy chicken skewers grilled right in our little garden. This Greek souvlaki recipe has long been planned and successfully tested several times by many people who visited and supported us on our project about the vacation house and garden. You'll be surprised to see how a few basic ingredients can turn the ordinary chicken meat into some tender skewers, savory and really delicious.

Souvlaki is probably one of the most popular Greek foods and, of course, we tried it in Greece, in its place of origin. So, I can tell you that this recipe has the same special taste and, you'll see, with minimal effort. You can feel on holiday whenever you want, without having to wait for the summer!

Don't stress too much about what to have on the side - any favourite salad or a Greek one, some tzatziki and that's pretty much it. The meat alone is so good that it's a pity not to save the whole space in the tummy only for that.

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Ingredients

Metric US

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Chicken meat

1500 g

I combine equal quantities of boneless chicken thighs and breast

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Lemon

1 piece

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Garlic cloves

5 pieces

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Olive oil

100 ml

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Salt

1 tbsp

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Oregano

2 tbsp

here you can add dried mint or gyros spice mix, if you have

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Bell pepper

4 pieces

pick different colours - red, yellow or green

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Red onion

2 pieces

Step by step

Step 1

I usually buy 2 packs of boneless skinless chicken breasts and thighs, 700-800g each.

It will be even tastier if you find boneless skinned thighs.

Chicken Souvlaki - Greek Skewers - Step 1

Step 2

Wash the meat well and cut into medium-sized cubes.

Notice in this picture how I cut half of a breast into 2x2cm cubes. They won't always be perfectly square, but that's ok anyway :)

Chicken Souvlaki - Greek Skewers - Step 2

Step 3

I cut the boneless thighs into 3-4 equal pieces each, depending on how big they are.

Don't forget to remove the cartilage, we don't need it here.

Chicken Souvlaki - Greek Skewers - Step 3

Step 4

Tip all the meat into a big bowl and add the juice from a lemon, salt, crushed garlic and olive oil.

Step 5

Season with oregano and other spices, if you have. I'd say oregano is the basic and the most important one.

Toss well and refrigerate to marinate overnight or for 4-5 hours, at least.

Chicken Souvlaki - Greek Skewers - Step 5

Step 6

The next day prepare the vegetables - the bell peppers and red onions.

Step 7

Cut into big square 2x2cm pieces - just like the meat.

Step 8

Now we assemble the skewers, using bamboo or stainless steel skewers.

Notice how I alternate pieces of breast, thighs and different-coloured vegetables. After a piece of meat, always comes a piece of bell pepper or onion.

Chicken Souvlaki - Greek Skewers - Step 8

Step 9

With the amounts from the ingredients list, I made 12 medium-sized skewers.

Step 10

If there are any vegetables left, you can assemble them on skewers and grill together with the meat - we always fight on them!

This is why I always get more bell pepper and onions, as I know they won't be wasted. Here you could combine them with some mushrooms or halloumi cheese...