There are few dishes more fulfilling and delightful than authentic Greek chicken souvlaki. A tasty combination of a variety of meats and spices, Greek souvlaki is sure to delight your family and friends. This article will show you a delicious chicken souvlaki recipe and how to make juicy Greek grilled chicken skewers.
What is Souvlaki?
Souvlaki is a traditional Greek fast food that consists of small pieces of meat, typically pork, beef, or chicken, which have been marinated in lemon juice and olive oil. The meat is then skewered and grilled to perfection, creating a mouth-watering combination of spices and flavors. The name “souvlaki” actually comes from the Greek word for “skewer,” so when making souvlaki, it is essential to use skewers to create the perfect grilled chicken skewers.
Ingredients for Greek Souvlaki
When making a delicious chicken souvlaki recipe, the most important thing to start with is the right ingredients. Here are the primary ingredients for making souvlaki:
- 1.5 lbs chicken, cut into small pieces
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp thyme
- salt and pepper to taste
There are also some optional ingredients that can be added to the marinade to create more complex flavors. For example, you can add a touch of cumin, paprika, or red pepper flakes to the marinade to give your souvlaki an extra bit of heat. And for a tangy twist on the traditional souvlaki, you can also add a splash of red wine vinegar to the marinade.
How to Make Greek Chicken Souvlaki
Once you have all of your ingredients ready, making a delicious chicken souvlaki recipe is a breeze. To get started, you will need to combine the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, and thyme in a large bowl. Next, add the chicken to the marinade and stir to coat it evenly. Make sure to cover the chicken completely so that it absorbs all of the delicious flavors.
Once the chicken is well-coated in the marinade, cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least one hour to allow the flavors time to develop. It is also best to give the meat at least a couple hours to marinate, so it is a good idea to prepare the marinade the night before.
Grilling the Chicken Souvlaki
When the meat has marinated for the desired length of time, it is time to prepare the grill. If you are using a charcoal grill, be sure to let the briquettes heat up until they are white hot and well-distributed before adding the skewers. On a gas grill, preheat it to medium-high, and then use a brush to oil the grates.
Thread the marinated chicken onto the skewers. Make sure to leave a small amount of space between each piece so that the meat cooks evenly. Grill the chicken souvlaki for 10-15 minutes, or until it is golden brown and cooked through.
Final Steps for Making Greek Chicken Souvlaki
Once the souvlaki is golden brown and cooked through, remove it from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes. Then, transfer the skewers to a serving platter and sprinkle with a bit of additional lemon juice, as well as sea salt and cracked black pepper, to taste.
For an extra bit of flavor, consider serving the chicken souvlaki with tzatziki sauce and pita bread. You can make homemade tzatziki sauce by combining Greek yogurt, cucumber, garlic, dill, and a splash of lemon juice. This combination of tangy, creamy sauce and succulent grilled chicken skewers is sure to make your family and friends say “Opa!”
Conclusion
Making a delicious chicken souvlaki recipe is a great way to bring a taste of Greece into your kitchen. Just a few simple ingredients and a bit of time marinating and grilling the meats are all you need to create an authentic Greek meal that is sure to please. So why not try making Greek chicken souvlaki tonight? Your taste buds will thank you!
