Chicken Souvlaki with Tzatziki and warm pita is one of the most beloved dishes from Greek cuisine — simple yet incredibly flavorful. “Souvlaki” refers to small cubes of seasoned meat grilled on skewers. The marinade is full of lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, and herbs, giving the chicken a bright, Mediterranean flavor. The result is juicy, tender grilled chicken served with creamy, refreshing tzatziki — a yogurt sauce with cucumber and dill — plus warm, soft pita bread.

This dish brings together everything wonderful about Greek cooking: freshness, simplicity, and balance. Every bite combines smoky grilled chicken with cool creamy sauce, soft pita, and crisp vegetables — a satisfying harmony of textures and flavors.

Why I Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because it feels like a mini Greek holiday on a plate. The chicken is aromatic and full of flavor, the tzatziki is cooling and addictive, and the warm pita makes it all feel comforting and complete. It’s healthy, vibrant, and surprisingly easy to prepare.

It’s also incredibly versatile — perfect for weeknight dinners, family meals, meal prep, outdoor grilling, or serving at a summer gathering.

Why It’s a Must-Try Dish

It’s light yet satisfying
Packed with fresh Mediterranean flavors
Budget-friendly and easy to scale for guests
Healthy, protein-rich, and nutrient-dense
Can be served as a platter, wrap, or bowl

This is one of those timeless recipes that everyone should experience at least once.

Recipe Details

Feature	Information
Course	Main Dish
Cuisine	Greek / Mediterranean
Prep Time	20 minutes
Marinating Time (optional)	1–8 hours
Cook Time	15–20 minutes
Total Time	35 minutes (excluding marination)
Servings	4
Calories	~490 per serving

Ingredients

For the Chicken Souvlaki

1.5 lbs (700 g) boneless chicken thighs or breasts, cubed
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
3 tbsp lemon juice
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp paprika
½ tsp ground cumin (optional)
Salt and black pepper to taste
Wooden or metal skewers

For the Tzatziki

1 ½ cups Greek yogurt
1 small cucumber, grated and drained
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped (or mint)
Salt and pepper to taste

For Serving

4 soft pita or flatbreads
Sliced tomatoes
Sliced red onion
Lettuce
Extra olive oil for drizzling

Step-by-Step Cooking Method

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Marinade

In a bowl, combine olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, paprika, and seasoning.
Add chicken pieces and coat well.
Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour or up to overnight for best flavor.

Step 2: Make the Tzatziki

Grate cucumber and squeeze out excess water with a towel or strainer.
Mix with yogurt, lemon juice, dill, garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Chill until serving — letting it sit improves flavor.

Step 3: Cook the Chicken

Grilling:

Thread chicken onto skewers.
Grill on medium-high heat for 3–4 minutes per side, until charred and cooked through.

Stovetop Option:

Heat a grill pan or regular pan and cook skewered (or loose) chicken until golden.

Oven Option:

Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 15–20 minutes, broiling in last 3 minutes.

Step 4: Warm the Pita

Heat on grill, pan, or oven until soft and lightly browned.

How to Serve

You can serve this dish in two ways:

Souvlaki Platter:

Place chicken skewers on a plate with pita, tzatziki, tomatoes, onion, and lettuce.

Pita Wrap:

Fill pita with chicken, tzatziki, veggies, and a drizzle of olive oil.

Optional finishing:

Sprinkle with extra oregano.
Add a squeeze of lemon.

Recipe Tips

Marination improves tenderness — do not skip.
Drain cucumber well or tzatziki will become watery.
Use Greek yogurt only for proper thickness.
Chicken thighs stay juicier than breasts.
Rest chicken for 2–3 minutes before serving.

Variations

Type	Variation
Protein Swap	Use lamb, beef, shrimp, or halloumi cheese.
Spicy Version	Add chili flakes or spicy paprika to marinade.
Low-Carb / Keto	Serve as a bowl without pita, add extra veggies.
Vegan	Use tofu or grilled vegetables and vegan yogurt for tzatziki.

Storage & Freezing

Cooked Chicken: Refrigerate up to 4 days or freeze up to 2 months.
Tzatziki: Best fresh; store up to 3 days (do not freeze).
Pita Bread: Freeze up to 3 months; thaw and reheat.

Special Equipment

Grill or grill pan (preferred)
Skewers
Mixing bowls
Grater for cucumber

FAQ

Q: Can I bake instead of grill?
Yes — just broil at the end to mimic grill smokiness.

Q: What wine pairs well?
Sauvignon Blanc or Rosé works beautifully.

Q: Can I meal prep this?
Absolutely — portion chicken, pita, and tzatziki separately.

Conclusion

Chicken Souvlaki with Tzatziki and Pita Bread is more than just a recipe — it’s a celebration of fresh Mediterranean cooking. It’s wholesome, aromatic, and deeply satisfying without being heavy. Whether you make it for a summer dinner, a family meal, or a party platter, it promises bright flavors and irresistible textures.