Description
This Flavorful Grilled Chicken Souvlaki Recipe offers a quick and vibrant Mediterranean meal bursting with fresh herbs, zesty lemon, and a perfect blend of spices. Ideal for weeknight dinners or gatherings, it features tender, marinated chicken skewers grilled to perfection, delivering a healthy, delicious, and customizable dish everyone will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken & Marinade
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into uniform cubes
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Additional
- 1 small red onion, sliced (optional, for skewering)
- Wooden skewers, soaked in water for 20 minutes
Instructions
- Prep the Chicken: Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized, evenly sized cubes to ensure even cooking and perfect grilling. Place the pieces in a bowl ready for marinating.
- Make the Marinade: In a mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper until well combined to create a vibrant, balanced marinade.
- Marinate the Chicken: Pour the marinade over the chicken cubes, mixing thoroughly to coat every piece. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours for deeper flavor.
- Prepare the Skewers: Soak wooden skewers in water for about 20 minutes to prevent burning. Thread the marinated chicken cubes onto the skewers, optionally alternating with slices of red onion or vegetables if desired.
- Grill the Souvlaki: Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Place the skewers on the grill and cook for 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is fully cooked and has nice grill marks.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the skewers from the grill and let them rest a few minutes to allow juices to redistribute, keeping the chicken moist and flavorful. Serve with your choice of garnishes and sides.
Notes
- Use fresh lemon juice and herbs for the best flavor vibrancy.
- Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes, or overnight if possible for deeper flavor.
- Do not overcrowd the grill; leave space between skewers for even cooking.
- Check the chicken’s internal temperature aiming for 165°F (75°C) to ensure safe cooking.
- Use a cast-iron grill pan indoors if an outdoor grill is unavailable.
- Wooden skewers must be soaked to prevent burning; metal skewers are an alternative.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 2 skewers)
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg