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Flavorful Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken Souvlaki Recipe with Easy Tzatziki Dip

lemon herb grilled chicken souvlaki - featured image

Juicy, lemon-herb marinated chicken skewers grilled to perfection and served with a creamy cucumber-yogurt tzatziki dip. A quick and easy recipe perfect for casual gatherings and busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • Juice and zest of 2 large lemons
  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 cup Greek yogurt, full-fat
  • ½ English cucumber, finely grated and drained
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill (or 1 teaspoon dried dill)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Pita bread or warm flatbreads (for serving)
  • Optional: sliced red onion, chopped tomatoes, fresh parsley (for serving)

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, combine lemon juice, lemon zest, olive oil, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Whisk until well blended.
  2. Add chicken pieces to the marinade, toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, ideally 2-3 hours. Do not marinate more than 6 hours.
  3. Grate cucumber using a fine grater or microplane. Place grated cucumber in a kitchen towel or cheesecloth and squeeze out excess moisture.
  4. In a medium bowl, combine Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, minced garlic, lemon juice, and chopped dill. Stir well and season with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate until serving.
  5. Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (around 400°F). Oil the grates to prevent sticking.
  6. Thread marinated chicken pieces onto skewers, leaving space between pieces.
  7. Grill skewers for 6-8 minutes per side, turning once halfway through, until chicken is charred and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
  8. Let chicken rest for 5 minutes off heat before serving.
  9. Serve souvlaki with warm pita bread, a dollop of tzatziki, and optional fresh veggies like sliced red onion and tomatoes.

Notes

Do not marinate chicken more than 6 hours to avoid overly soft texture. Squeeze excess moisture from grated cucumber to prevent watery tzatziki. Use chicken thighs for juicier results. Soak bamboo skewers for 30 minutes before grilling to prevent burning. If no skewers, cook chicken on grill mat or basket. Rest chicken 5 minutes after grilling to lock in juices.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon herb chicken, grilled chicken souvlaki, tzatziki dip, Greek chicken recipe, easy grilled chicken, backyard barbecue, healthy chicken skewers