Chicken Souvlaki with Tzatziki is a beloved Greek classic made with tender marinated chicken grilled to smoky perfection and served with a cool, refreshing cucumber-yogurt tzatziki sauce. This dish captures everything wonderful about Greek cooking — wholesome ingredients, bold Mediterranean flavors, simplicity, and freshness.

The chicken is infused with oregano, lemon, garlic, and olive oil—flavors deeply rooted in Greek cuisine. Once cooked, it becomes beautifully charred on the outside while remaining juicy and flavorful inside. Paired with aromatic tzatziki, warm pita, crisp vegetables, or rice, this meal feels like something straight from a seaside taverna.

Why I Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because it’s incredibly satisfying yet light. The creamy tzatziki balances the savory grilled chicken perfectly, making every bite refreshing and full of flavor. It’s also extremely versatile — serve it as a platter, in a wrap, on rice, or as a salad bowl.

Another reason I adore it is its simplicity: basic pantry spices, fresh lemon, Greek yogurt, and olive oil transform into something truly special.

Why It’s a Must-Try Dish

✔ Bursting with Mediterranean flavors
✔ High protein, wholesome, and fresh
✔ Easy to prepare and perfect for meal prep
✔ Great for grilling season
✔ Works for gatherings, lunch boxes, or healthy dinners

Timing

Stage	Time
Preparation Time	20 minutes (plus marinating: 1–4 hours recommended)
Cooking Time	10–15 minutes
Total Active Time	~30–35 minutes

Servings & Nutrition

Servings: 4
Calories: ~380 per serving (with tzatziki)

Cuisine & Course

Cuisine: Greek / Mediterranean
Course: Main Dish

Ingredients

For the Chicken Souvlaki:

1.5 lbs (700g) boneless chicken breast or thighs, cut into chunks
3 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp lemon juice
Zest of 1 lemon
3 garlic cloves, minced
1.5 tsp dried oregano
½ tsp paprika
Salt and pepper to taste
Wooden or metal skewers

For the Tzatziki Sauce:

1 cup plain Greek yogurt
1 small cucumber, grated and squeezed dry
1–2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Directions (Overview)

Marinate chicken in olive oil, lemon, garlic, and oregano.
Make tzatziki and chill.
Skewer the marinated chicken.
Grill until beautifully charred and cooked through.
Serve warm with pita, salad, or rice.

Step-by-Step Preparation Method

Step 1 Prepare the Marinade

In a bowl, whisk together:

Olive oil
Lemon juice + zest
Garlic
Oregano
Paprika
Salt and pepper

Add chicken chunks and coat well.

Step 2 Marinate

Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (up to 24 hours). The longer the marination, the more tender and flavorful the chicken becomes.

Step 3 Make Tzatziki

Grate the cucumber.
Squeeze out excess water using a towel.
Mix with yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, dill, and olive oil.
Season with salt and pepper.
Chill until serving.

Step 4 Skewer and Cook

Thread the marinated chicken onto skewers.

Cook using any method below:

Method	Time
Grill	10–12 min, turning occasionally
Oven broil	12–15 min
Stovetop grill pan	10–14 min

Step 5 Serve

Remove from skewers or serve as is with:

Tzatziki
Pita bread or flatbread
Tomato and cucumber salad
Lemon wedges
Rice or quinoa

How to Serve

Serving Suggestions:

In pita wraps
Over Greek salad
With roasted potatoes
With couscous or rice bowl
On a mezze platter with olives, hummus, and feta

Recipe Tips

Dry the cucumber well for the best tzatziki texture.
Use chicken thighs for juicier results.
Let tzatziki chill at least 30 minutes before eating.
Do not skip lemon zest — it enhances flavor dramatically.
If using wooden skewers, soak 20–30 minutes before grilling.

Variations

Spicy Version: Add chili flakes or harissa to marinade.
Herb Upgrade: Add rosemary or thyme for more aroma.
Yogurt-Marinated: Add 2 tbsp Greek yogurt for extra tenderness.
Low-Carb: Serve over cauliflower rice or salad bowls.
Vegetarian Version: Replace chicken with halloumi or tofu.

Storage & Freezing

Storage Method	Duration
Cooked Chicken (fridge)	3–4 days
Tzatziki (fridge)	3–5 days
Marinated raw chicken	Up to 2 days
Frozen (raw or cooked chicken)	Up to 2 months
Tzatziki Freezing	❌ Not recommended (texture separates)

Special Equipment Needed

Grill or grill pan
Skewers
Mixing bowls
Grater for cucumber

FAQ

Q: Can I bake instead of grilling?
Yes, broil at high heat or bake at 425°F (220°C) until golden.

Q: Can I use store-bought tzatziki?
Absolutely — but homemade tastes fresher and better.

Q: Can I use chicken tenders?
Yes — reduce cooking time by 2–3 minutes.

Q: Can this be meal-prepped?
Yes! It reheats well and keeps flavors.

Conclusion

Chicken Souvlaki with Tzatziki is a fresh, vibrant, and incredibly satisfying Mediterranean dish that brings the taste of Greece right to your table. With bright lemony chicken, aromatic herbs, cool creamy tzatziki, and warm pita, every bite is refreshing and full of flavor. It’s easy enough for everyday meals yet impressive enough for gatherings — truly a recipe you’ll want to make again and again.