Name: Chicken Souvlaki
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 1 h 32 min
Cuisine: Greek
Ingredients: 2 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, 900 g, cut into 1¼-inch (3 cm) pieces; ¼ cup olive oil, 60 ml; 3 tbsp lemon juice, about 1 lemon, plus the finely grated zest; 4 garlic cloves, finely grated; 2 tsp dried oregano; 1 tsp smoked or sweet paprika; 1 ¼ tsp fine salt; ½ tsp black pepper; 1 small cucumber, about 6 oz (170 g); 1 cup plain Greek yogurt, 245 g, full-fat; 1 garlic clove, finely grated; 1 tbsp olive oil; 1 tbsp lemon juice; 1 tbsp fresh dill or mint, chopped; ¼ tsp fine salt; 4 pita breads, warmed; 2 tomatoes, sliced; ½ red onion, thinly sliced

Chicken Souvlaki

Lemon, garlic and oregano chicken skewers, grilled until lightly charred and served with cool homemade tzatziki, warm pita and a tomato salad.

By amine Published October 25, 2026

Souvlaki is Greek street food at its best: small pieces of meat marinated in olive oil, lemon, garlic and oregano, threaded onto skewers and cooked over high heat. Chicken thighs are the best choice for home cooks because they stay juicy even when they char at the edges. Serve the skewers with tzatziki, warm pita and a simple tomato and cucumber salad for an easy dinner that feels like a summer holiday.

Why this recipe works

A short, bright marinade. Lemon juice flavors the chicken quickly, but more than about 8 hours makes the texture mushy. One to four hours is the sweet spot.
Even pieces. Cutting the chicken into 1¼-inch (3 cm) cubes means every piece cooks at the same rate.
High heat. A hot grill or broiler gives charred edges before the inside dries out.

Grill, grill pan or broiler

An outdoor grill gives the most authentic smoky flavor, but a ridged grill pan or your oven broiler (grill) works well indoors. Under the broiler, set the skewers on a foil-lined sheet pan about 4 inches (10 cm) from the heat and turn them every few minutes.

How to serve souvlaki

Pile the chicken into warm pita with tzatziki, sliced tomato and red onion, or serve it on a plate with rice, lemon potatoes or a Greek salad. For another make-ahead dinner from the grill or skillet, try pan-seared pork chops.

FAQ

Do I need to soak wooden skewers?

Yes. Soak wooden or bamboo skewers in water for 30 minutes so they do not burn. Metal skewers need no soaking.

Can I use chicken breast?

Yes, but marinate it for no more than 4 hours and pull it off the heat as soon as it reaches 165°F (74°C), as breast meat dries out faster.