Description
A tender, juicy, and zesty chicken souvlaki recipe marinated in Greek yogurt, lemon, and herbs. This high-protein, gluten-free dish is perfect for summer grilling or quick weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup plain full-fat Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
Instructions
- Trim excess fat from chicken breasts and cut into uniform 1-inch cubes.
- In a large bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, lemon juice, lemon zest, olive oil, minced garlic, oregano, cumin, thyme, salt, and pepper until combined.
- Add chicken cubes to the marinade, tossing to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours.
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat (400-450°F). Clean and oil the grates thoroughly to prevent sticking.
- Thread chicken onto skewers, leaving small spaces between cubes. Soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes prior if using.
- Grill skewers for 3-4 minutes per side, turning every 3 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 165°F and grill marks appear.
- Remove from grill and let rest for 2-3 minutes before serving with warm pita, tzatziki, and fresh vegetables.
Notes
Ensure chicken pieces are uniform size for even cooking. Do not skip the resting period to keep juices in the meat. If yogurt is too thin, drain it through cheesecloth. Oil the grill grates, not the chicken, to prevent flare-ups. Chicken can be marinated for up to 24 hours.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 skewers per servin
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 35
Keywords: chicken souvlaki, greek yogurt marinade, high protein dinner, summer grilling, gluten free chicken, easy skewers, mediterranean food