Lemon & Garlic Chicken Souvlaki
Juicy, tender chicken marinated in fresh lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, and Mediterranean herbs, with a touch of honey and smoked paprika for extra flavour. Grilled to perfection with beautifully golden edges, these homemade chicken souvlaki skewers are bursting with bright, savoury flavours. Perfect for summer barbecues, family dinners, or serving alongside homemade tzatziki, warm pita bread, and a fresh Greek salad.
Prep time
PT15M
Cook time
PT15M
Serves
Ingredients
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For the Chicken Skewers
- 1.5 lbs (680 g)boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1.5-inch pieces
- 8metal or wooden skewers
For the Lemon & Garlic Marinade
- 3 tbspfreshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tspfreshly grated lemon zest
- 2 tbspextra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbspred wine vinegar
- 3-4garlic cloves, finely minced
- 1.5 tspdried oregano
- 1 tspDijon mustard
- 1 tsphoney
- 1/2 tspdried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tspsmoked paprika
- 1/2 tspsea salt
- 1/2 tspfreshly ground black pepper
Ingredients
For the Chicken Skewers
- 1.5 lbs (680 g)boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1.5-inch pieces
- 8metal or wooden skewers
For the Lemon & Garlic Marinade
- 3 tbspfreshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tspfreshly grated lemon zest
- 2 tbspextra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbspred wine vinegar
- 3-4garlic cloves, finely minced
- 1.5 tspdried oregano
- 1 tspDijon mustard
- 1 tsphoney
- 1/2 tspdried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tspsmoked paprika
- 1/2 tspsea salt
- 1/2 tspfreshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the chicken. Cut the chicken breasts into evenly sized 1.5-inch pieces and place them in a large bowl or resealable food-safe bag.
- 2
Make the marinade. In a small bowl, whisk together the freshly squeezed lemon juice, lemon zest, olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, oregano, Dijon mustard, honey, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- 3
Marinate the chicken. Pour the marinade over the chicken and toss until evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate for 2-4 hours to allow the flavours to develop.
- 4
Prepare the skewers. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before grilling. Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto the skewers, leaving a little space between each piece for even cooking.
- 5
Preheat the barbecue. Preheat your barbecue to medium-high heat, approximately 400-425F (204-218C). Lightly oil the grill grates to prevent sticking.
- 6
Grill the chicken. Place the skewers on the barbecue and reduce the heat slightly to medium, maintaining a temperature of approximately 375-400F (190-204C). Close the lid and grill for 10-15 minutes, turning every 3-4 minutes, until the chicken is beautifully golden with lightly charred edges.
- 7
Check for doneness. Using a meat thermometer, check the thickest piece of chicken. The internal temperature should reach 165F (74C).
- 8
Rest and serve. Remove the skewers from the barbecue and allow the chicken to rest for 3-5 minutes. Serve with fresh lemon wedges, warm pita bread, homemade tzatziki, and your favourite Greek salad.
Melissa's Notes
Fresh lemon makes a difference — using both freshly squeezed lemon juice and lemon zest adds a bright, refreshing citrus flavour without making the marinade overly acidic. Freshly minced garlic gives this souvlaki its delicious savoury flavour. For the best flavour, allow the chicken to marinate for 2-4 hours; avoid marinating overnight, as the lemon juice and vinegar can affect the texture. Because the marinade contains honey and garlic, avoid excessively high heat to prevent burning — if the chicken begins browning too quickly, move the skewers to a cooler section of the grill. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs can be substituted for chicken breasts if you prefer darker, juicier meat. For a colourful variation, add chunks of red bell pepper and red onion between the chicken pieces when assembling your skewers. Pairs beautifully with Colourful Greek Salad with Lemon & Oregano Dressing, homemade tzatziki, and warm pita bread.
Nutrition Information
Per serving (based on 4 servings, chicken and marinade)
Nutrition information is an estimate and may vary depending on the ingredients and brands used.
Pairs perfectly with my Colourful Greek Salad with Lemon & Oregano Dressing
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