Greek-Style Chicken Souvlaki with Pita & Tzatziki
Tender, marinated chicken skewers grilled to perfection and served inside warm pita bread with refreshing tzatziki sauce, onions, and tomatoes. This Greek street food classic is fresh, flavorful, and perfect for both casual dinners and entertaining.
Time
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Marinating Time: 2–4 hours (or overnight for best flavor)
Cook Time: 12–15 minutes
Total Time: 2.5–4.5 hours
Servings:4
Ingredients
For the Chicken Souvlaki
1.5 lbs (700g) boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes
3 tbsp olive oil
3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp paprika
Salt and pepper, to taste
Wooden or metal skewers (if wooden, soak 30 mins in water)
For the Tzatziki Sauce
1 cup Greek yogurt (full-fat for creaminess)
1 medium cucumber, grated and excess water squeezed out
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
2 cloves garlic, finely grated or minced
1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
Salt and pepper, to taste
For Serving
4 pita breads, warmed
1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
2 medium tomatoes, sliced or chopped
Fresh parsley or lettuce
Instructions
1. Marinate the Chicken
In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, thyme, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Add chicken cubes, toss well to coat, cover, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (overnight = more flavor).
2. Make the Tzatziki
Grate cucumber, then squeeze out excess water using a clean towel.
In a bowl, combine yogurt, cucumber, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, dill, salt, and pepper.
Mix well and refrigerate until ready to serve (flavors improve after chilling).
3. Grill the Chicken
Thread marinated chicken onto skewers.
Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
Grill skewers 10–12 minutes, turning occasionally, until chicken is cooked through and slightly charred.
4. Assemble the Souvlaki Pitas
Warm pita bread (on the grill or skillet).
Spread a generous spoonful of tzatziki inside each pita.
Add grilled chicken, onion slices, tomatoes, and optional parsley/lettuce.
Fold and serve warm.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with a side of Greek salad (cucumber, tomato, feta, olives).
Add a side of fries (common in Greece, even inside the pita!).
Pair with a glass of chilled white wine or sparkling water with lemon.
Notes & Tips
Chicken thighs = juicier, but breasts are leaner.
Don’t skip squeezing cucumber for tzatziki, otherwise it will be watery.
For extra authentic flavor, brush chicken with a little olive oil + lemon juice mixture right after grilling.
You can also cook the chicken in the oven (broil 8–10 minutes per side) if grilling isn’t an option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I make this ahead?
Yes, marinate chicken and prep tzatziki the night before. Grill fresh before serving.
Q: Can I use store-bought pita?
Yes, but for best results warm it before serving. Homemade pita is even better!
Q: Can I make it vegetarian?
Swap chicken for grilled halloumi, portobello mushrooms, or marinated tofu.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 460
Protein: 35g
Fat: 18g
Carbs: 42g
Fiber: 4g
Sodium: 640mg