Chicken Souvlaki

Chicken Souvlaki with melt-in-your mouth zesty, juicy chicken, smoky vegetables and tangy, creamy Feta Yogurt Dip is a meal-in-one and super easy to make at home!

This Greek Chicken Souvlaki can be served straight off the skewers dunked in the refreshing Feta Yogurt Dip with a  side of lemon rice or the chicken can be piled in pitas with your favorite toppings such as hummus and tzatziki with the roasted veggies served on the side. No matter how you serve them, everyone will love these flavor bursting skewers! I’ve included instructions for both grilling and broiling so you can enjoy this tantalizing Chicken Souvlaki year-round

This post is sponsored by McCormick.  All opinions are my own.

best chicken souvlaki on skeweres


 

Who is ready for grilling season AKA a summer full of flavor?!  I looovee to grill because grilling = cooking OUTSIDE (how cool is that?!), no pots and pans to scrub, and loads of fresh vibrant flavors like this Chicken Souvlaki!    The vibrant, fresh, lemon, garlic, oregano combo is taste bud magic and it’s fresh and healthy!

I love Greek flavors so much I’ve already shared my crazy popular Greek Chicken, Chicken Gyros, Beef SouvlakiGreek Chicken SaladGreek Pizza which you should definitely check out if you love fresh Mediterranean cuisine.

best chicken souvlaki skewers laying on a white plate with tomatoes, zucchini, tzatziki

What is Chicken Souvlaki?

Greek Souvlaki is also known as shish kebabs and kalamaki.  Souvlaki is meat cubes, and sometimes vegetables, marinated in oil, lemon juice, oregano and other herbs then grilled on a skewer.  In fact, “Souvlaki” is a take on the Greek word souvla which means “skewer” or “spit.”  Souvlaki is traditionally pork but can be prepared with all sorts of meats from chicken to lamb, beef and even fish.

Chicken Souvlaki is served straight off the skewer with sides of fried potatoes, lemon rice and some sort of sauce.  Souvlaki Pitas are when the meat is removed from the skewer and served in a pita along with red onions, tomatoes, sometimes lettuce and tzatziki.

Traditional Chicken Souvlaki isn’t roasted with veggies on the same skewer but you will loooove this contemporary twist.   The juicy, roasted tomatoes bursting together with the crisp-tender zucchini and juicy herb lemon chicken – gah – I can’t get enough – and I guarantee your family and friends will be begging for more.

What is the difference between a gyro and souvlaki?

Although both delicious and boast similar tantalizing flavor profiles, gyros and souvlaki are definitely not the same thing – and that’s why I need a recipe for both!   While souvlaki is known as Greek “fast food,” Gyros, on the other hand, are considered a main dish delicacy.  Gyros consist of long strips of thin pork served with red onions, tomatoes and tzatziki sauce served with pita bread.  As previously mentioned souvlaki, on the other hand, is marinated cubes of meat grilled on a skewer and does not need to be served with/in pita bread.

chicken in a glass bowl marinating to make chicken souvlaki

Now you know all about this Greek classic – but did you know it is actually super easy to make at home?!  All you need is a little chopping prep, McCormick® Grill Mates® Zesty Herb Marinade, a few other pantry staples and it’s go time!  The best part about these handy marinades is that everything is pre-measured, flavor-packed and ready to roll!

tomatoes, zucchini, onions in a glass bowl to make chicken souvlaki

When You’re Short on Time – Make Chicken Souvlaki!

This Chicken Souvlaki recipe was born after I had been running around all day for our remodel (we are remodeling our bathrooms – tons of decisions and tons of errands –  before and afters coming soon 😊 ), and we were hosting a backyard barbecue with some friends but I hadn’t gotten the chicken marinating yet – but never fear, Chicken Souvlaki is here!

One of my favorite tips to grill your best chicken for your friends and family if you are short on time (or just want an amazing meal-in-one) is to make kabobs like this Chicken Souvlaki.  The marinade is able to penetrate the small cubed chicken quickly so even if you only have 30 minutes, you still have flavor explosive chicken.

easy chicken souvlaki skeweres on a white platter with tomatoees and zucchini

Chicken Souvlaki Marinade

The most important aspect of Greek Chicken Souvlaki is the marinade itself because that is where ALL the flavor comes from!  This marinade is more of a wet rub (so the seasoning actually stays on the chicken and doesn’t wash away) consisting of McCormick® Grill Mates® Zesty Herb Marinade, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, olive oil and oregano.

This McCormick marinade packet is everything.  It’s a blend of garlic, basil, oregano and peppers.  It infuses both the chicken and the veggies with flavor and is my secret weapon in sauces, salad dressings and on roasted veggies too!  Marinating the chicken also tenderize the chicken and helps keep it juicy and moist while cooking.  

chicken souvlaki on skewers with tzatziki

How do you make chicken souvlaki?

This Chicken Souvlaki recipe is pretty straightforward, but here are some tips and tricks to make it a dynamic success.

  • Soak Wooden Skewers:  You can use metal or wood skewers but just take care you soak your wood skewers for at least 30 minutes otherwise they can catch fire!  For this Chicken Souvlaki recipe, I recommend soaking your skewers when you start marinating your chicken.
  • Chicken Breast or Thighs:  I use boneless, skinless chicken breasts but you are also welcome to use chicken thighs, just keep in mind that light meat will cook faster than dark meat so it isn’t a good idea to combine the two on one skewer.  Chicken breasts have a bad reputation for being dry but with our marinade, cutting the chicken into 1 1/2″ cubes and not overcooking, you have a winner winner chicken dinner
  • Don’t cut chicken too small: Cut your chicken into 1 ½ inch cubes in order to keep them juicy.  Avoid cutting the chicken too small or it can easily overcook. Try and chop the chicken roughly the same size so they cook evenly.
  • Wet Rub Marinade:  We only marinate our chicken for 2 hours or less because the marinade contains lemon juice that can cause small pieces of chicken to get mushy. The key when marinating your chicken for a short amount of time is to use more of a wet rub marinade than a marinade in which the chicken is swimming in liquid.  This ensures the seasonings stick to the chicken and actually get grilled with the chicken instead of floating away in excess liquid.

Chicken Souvlaki with tomatoes, chicken and zucchini on wooden skewers

  • Thread chicken kabobs: Thread the chicken, tomatoes, onions and zucchini  onto your skewers in alternating fashion.  If you don’t want to worry about alternating the ingredients, you can make all chicken skewers, all zucchini skewers, all onions skewers or all tomato skewers.   Mushrooms and bell peppers would be fantastic as well.
  • Many hands make light work:  This Chicken Souvlaki can be very quick to assemble IF you get some helping hands to skewer.  Involve your kids or even your guests if you want – they can even make their own custom kabobs!  We made kabobs in Cabo and the dozens of kabobs were assembled in minutes because we had so many little helping hands.
  • How much space? As far as spacing, there are two schools of thought.  Some like to leave a little space in between the items so heat can circulate evenly while they cook.  Others, myself included, like to pack everything pretty close together –  not smashed together, but touching.  With the cubes this close, the heat isn’t reaching all sides of the food at once which helps to prevent overcooking/dried chicken and instead promotes juicier chicken.

I hope these tips and tricks help you grill your best for those you love this summer and this Chicken Souvlaki recipe transports you to the crystal shores of Greece!  Happy Memorial Day!

LOOKING FOR MORE SKEWER RECIPES?

dipping chicken souvlaki with tzatziki

What to Serve with Chicken Souvlaki?

This Chicken Souvlaki is practically a meal-in-one. We love to serve it with a big green salad and fruit but it is also delicious with:

You might also like these grilling recipes:

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Chicken Souvlaki on a plate with tzazkiki

 

best chicken souvlaki on skeweres

Chicken Souvlaki with Feta Yogurt Dip

Servings: 12 kabobs
Total Time: 45 minutes
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes

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Ingredients

Chicken Kabobs

  • 2 lbs. chicken breasts chopped into 1 1/2” cubes
  • 1 pint cherry/grape tomatoes
  • 2 zucchinis cut into 1/4” slices
  • 1 large red onion cut into 1 1/2” chunks
  • 1/4 teaspoon McCormick® salt

Marinade

Feta Yogurt Dip

  • 1/2 teaspoon McCormick® Grill Mates® Zesty Herb Marinade from above pkg.
  • 1 cup Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons feta crumbles
  • 1-2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon McCormick® Dried Dill
  • McCormick® freshly cracked Salt and Pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Add ½ teaspoon McCormick Zesty Herb Marinade Mix to a medium bowl. Whisk in all o the Feta Yogurt Dip ingredients. Cover and refrigerate.
  • Whisk all of the Marinade ingredients together in a large bowl or large freezer bag (whatever dish you are going to use to marinate your chicken in). Remove 2 tablespoons Marinade and add to vegetables in a large bowl or freezer bag along with ¼ teaspoon salt. Toss to coat. Refrigerate.
  • Add chicken to remaining Marinade and toss to coat. Marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes or in the refrigerator for 2 hours – no more or the chicken will get mushy.

GRILLING INSTRUCTIONS

  • Generously grease grill and heat to medium-high heat. Grill chicken kabobs for approximately 12-15 minutes, rotating every couple minutes until nicely browned and each side and chicken is cooked through.
  • Serve with chilled Feta Yogurt Dip. Kabobs are also delicious with my Greek Lemon Rice, and pita bread.

OVEN INSTTRUCTIONS

  • Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and lightly spray with nonstick cooking spray. Add the chicken kabobs in a single layer and broil, turning every 5 minutes until cooked through, about 10- 15 minutes depending on thickness of chicken.
  • Serve with chilled Feta Yogurt Dip. Kabobs are also delicious with my Greek Lemon Rice, and pita bread.

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20 Comments

  1. Melissa says

    I made this tonight with your Greek lemon rice . Both dishes were fantastic! My family loved it. I’ve never had a recipe of yours not be anything less than great! Thanks for continuing to inspire me in the kitchen .

    • Jen says

      What a kind comment, thank you so much Melissa! I’m so happy and honored you are enjoying my recipes and that both of these Greek recipes were hits! xo

  2. Sahar says

    Hi Jen,

    You are an absolute inspiration & a life saver at every dinner party!
    I had a gathering of about 40 last week and I was able to plan the entire menu through you. Even if I make one of your recipes for the first time I’m always sure it will be a hit. So my guests’ complements all go to you.
    I’ve tried most of your recipes and I can’t decide which is my favorite now.. The cheesesteak eggrolls, the pesto bread, so many scrumptious salads, tacos & fajitas ( I’ve stopped using store bought seasoning mixes after trying your fajitas), most mouthwatering cakes.. they’re all fantastic & Thank you so much for sharing for all of it! I’m eagerly waiting for your recipes every week.
    May God bless you with good health & happiness! XO

    • Jen says

      Oh my goodness Sahar, you made my day, thank you SO much! I am honored you love and trust my recipes so much! That is amazing you have made so many of them – I will keep them coming 🙂 I’m happy to hear they served you well at your party – what a fun host you must be! Thank you for taking the time to comment, I so appreciate your kind words!xo

  3. Desiree Zola says

    This chicken souvlaki and dip is so delicious, and super easy! I made your lemon rice to go along with these dishes, added some roasted lemon broccoli with parmesan. Delicious meal and I wish we had leftovers! Thanks, Jen! So happy I have found your website!

    • Jen says

      Your entire meal sounds delicious! I’m so happy you loved the Chicken Souvlaki, rice and broccoli! Thanks for making my recipes!

  4. Kerry says

    I made this tonight and it was SO good!!! Thank you for creating an “herby” recipe. My husband and I prefer herbs to spice and it is so hard to find a good “herby” recipe. All of the ingredients are ones that are staples in my kitchen with the exception of the McCormick Zesty Herb Marinade mix…but it’s going on my list! This meal is going to be on our rotation all summer long. Thanks again for a FABULOUS recipe!!!

    • Jen says

      You are so welcome Kerry! I love “herby” recipes too – I will try and make more of them! I’m thrilled this was such a hit and that you loved the McCormick Zesty Herb Marinade as well!

  5. Vince says

    This looks so good. You’ve picked up on all of the flavors that I love and the kebob approach is simply fun.

    • Jen says

      Thank you so much! I think you will absolutely love these!

  6. Julyane says

    Hi Jen, I hope you are doing well!

    I am from Brazil so I wouldn’t be able to buy that marinade. What would you recommend for me to use, please?

    Thank you so much!! I love your website!!

    Best,
    Julyane

  7. Karen says

    Hi. I’m having a hard time finding marinate salt. Does anyone know where I can buy it?

    • Jen says

      The recipe just uses table salt.

  8. Mandy says

    I am from Canada and also can’t find this marinade. Would you double your homemade marinade recipe since you have double the chicken? And would you still add the remainder of your marinade ingredients from this recipe?

    • Jen says

      Hi Mandy, I’m sorry I don’t understand your question. What can’t you find? This recipe is the homemade marinade itself.

  9. Marie Vaughn says

    This is the best kabob recipe that has become a family favorite. The marinade is perfect and just highlights the flavors of the fresh veggies. The family loves these with the tzatziki sauce. I have also paired it with the Perfect Fruit Salad. It was a winner with none left at all. Great recipe!! Thank you!

    • Jen says

      Thank you for the awesome review Marie! I am so happy it is a repeat family favorite – YAY! I hope you have a great weekend and find more recipes to enjoy!

  10. Renee says

    AMAZING! Made exactly as written and I would not change a thing. So fresh and flavorful, the feta sauce is to die for, this will be in our rotation allllll summer long. Thank you for another great recipe!

    • Jen says

      You are so welcome, Renee! I am so happy this is being added to your rotation! Thank you so much for the glowing review!