Chicken Souvlaki Recipe

Chicken breast: The main protein, cut into cubes for even cooking.

Olive oil: Adds richness and helps to marinate the chicken.

Lemon juice: Provides a tangy flavor that tenderizes the chicken.

Garlic: Adds a robust, aromatic flavor to the marinade.

Dried oregano: A key herb in Greek cuisine, adding earthy notes.

Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the dish.

Black pepper: Adds a mild heat and depth to the marinade.

When marinating the chicken, ensure that each piece is evenly coated with the marinade. This can be achieved by using a ziplock bag instead of a bowl, which allows you to massage the marinade into the chicken more effectively. Additionally, for a more intense flavor, consider marinating the chicken for a few hours or even overnight in the refrigerator.

• Chicken breast - Substitute with turkey breast: Turkey breast has a similar texture and flavor profile, making it a suitable alternative for chicken in souvlaki.

• Chicken breast - Substitute with pork tenderloin: Pork tenderloin is tender and can be marinated similarly to chicken, providing a different but delicious flavor.

• Olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a high smoke point and a mild flavor, making it a good alternative for olive oil in marinades.

• Olive oil - Substitute with grapeseed oil: Grapeseed oil is neutral in flavor and works well in marinades, similar to olive oil.

• Lemon juice - Substitute with lime juice: Lime juice offers a similar acidity and citrus flavor, making it a good substitute for lemon juice.

• Lemon juice - Substitute with white wine vinegar: White wine vinegar provides the necessary acidity and a slight tang, similar to lemon juice.

• Garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots offer a milder, slightly sweet flavor that can replace garlic in the marinade.

• Garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can be used if fresh garlic is unavailable, though it will have a slightly different texture and intensity.

• Dried oregano - Substitute with dried thyme: Dried thyme has a similar earthy flavor and can be used as a substitute for oregano.

• Dried oregano - Substitute with dried basil: Dried basil offers a different but complementary flavor profile that can replace oregano.

• Salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce adds saltiness along with a depth of umami flavor, making it a good alternative to salt.

• Salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can be used in place of regular salt, offering a slightly different mineral content and flavor.

• Black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper provides a similar heat and flavor profile, making it a suitable substitute for black pepper.

• Black pepper - Substitute with cayenne pepper: Cayenne pepper adds heat and a different flavor, making it a spicier alternative to black pepper.

• Allow the chicken souvlaki to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can lead to sogginess and spoilage.
• Store the chicken skewers in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap. This helps maintain their flavor and moisture.
• Place the container or wrapped skewers in the refrigerator if you plan to consume them within 3-4 days. This keeps the chicken fresh and safe to eat.
• For longer storage, freeze the chicken souvlaki. Lay the skewers on a baking sheet in a single layer and freeze until solid. This prevents them from sticking together.
• Once frozen, transfer the chicken skewers to a freezer-safe bag or container. Label with the date to keep track of their freshness.
• When ready to eat, thaw the chicken souvlaki in the refrigerator overnight. This ensures even thawing and maintains the texture.
• Reheat the chicken skewers on a grill or in an oven preheated to 350°F (175°C) until they are heated through. This revives their delicious grilled flavor.
• Serve the reheated chicken souvlaki with fresh pita bread and tzatziki sauce for a meal that tastes just as good as the first time.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the chicken souvlaki on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil.
  3. Cover the chicken with another piece of foil to prevent it from drying out.
  4. Heat for about 10-15 minutes, or until the chicken is warmed through.
  5. Serve hot with pita bread and tzatziki sauce.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add a small amount of olive oil to the pan.
  3. Place the chicken souvlaki in the skillet and cover with a lid.
  4. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is heated through.
  5. Serve immediately with pita bread and tzatziki sauce.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place the chicken souvlaki on a microwave-safe plate.
  2. Cover the chicken with a damp paper towel to keep it moist.
  3. Microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking and stirring halfway through.
  4. Continue heating in 30-second intervals until the chicken is hot.
  5. Enjoy with pita bread and tzatziki sauce.

• Grill Method:

  1. Preheat your grill to medium heat.
  2. Place the chicken souvlaki on the grill.
  3. Grill for about 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is heated through.
  4. Serve hot with pita bread and tzatziki sauce.

• Mixing bowl: Use this to combine the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper for the marinade.

• Whisk: This will help you mix the marinade ingredients thoroughly.

• Cutting board: Essential for safely cutting the chicken breast into cubes.

• Chef's knife: A sharp knife is necessary for cutting the chicken into even cubes.

• Measuring spoons: Use these to measure out the olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, salt, and pepper accurately.

• Garlic press: This tool will make mincing the garlic cloves quick and easy.

• Skewers: These are used to thread the marinated chicken cubes for grilling.

• Grill: Preheat this to medium-high heat for cooking the chicken skewers.

• Tongs: Use these to turn the chicken skewers on the grill to ensure even cooking.

• Serving platter: Once cooked, place the chicken skewers on this to serve.

• Pita bread: Serve the grilled chicken with this for a complete meal.

• Tzatziki sauce: This is a traditional sauce to accompany the chicken souvlaki.

Prepare the marinade in advance: Mix the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper the night before to save time.

Use pre-cut chicken: Purchase chicken breast that is already cut into cubes to skip the cutting step.

Quick marination: If you're short on time, marinate the chicken in a resealable bag for 15 minutes instead of 30.

Preheat the grill: Start preheating the grill while the chicken is marinating to save time.

Serve with ready-made sides: Use store-bought pita bread and tzatziki sauce to cut down on preparation time.