Description
Juicy, tangy, and smoky Greek chicken skewers marinated in lemon, garlic, and oregano, served with homemade tzatziki sauce. Ready in 30 minutes with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 large bell peppers (red and yellow), chopped into 1-inch pieces
- 1 medium red onion, chopped into 1-inch chunks
- Wooden or metal skewers (soak wooden ones in water for 30 minutes if using)
- 1 cup full-fat Greek yogurt
- 1 medium cucumber, grated and drained
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 small garlic clove, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (for tzatziki)
Instructions
- Cut chicken thighs into 1-inch cubes and place in a large bowl.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, oregano, thyme, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Pour marinade over chicken and toss well to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (up to 4 hours).
- While chicken marinates, chop bell peppers and red onion into 1-inch chunks.
- Grate cucumber and squeeze out excess liquid using a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth until dry.
- In a bowl, mix Greek yogurt, drained cucumber, chopped dill, lemon zest, minced garlic, and salt. Stir well and refrigerate.
- Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
- Thread chicken and veggies onto skewers, alternating between chicken, pepper, and onion. Do not pack too tightly.
- Grill skewers for 3-4 minutes per side, rotating every 3 minutes, until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Total cooking time is 12-15 minutes.
- Serve immediately with tzatziki on the side, garnished with fresh oregano or lemon wedges.
Notes
Use chicken thighs for juiciness; breast meat dries out easily. Ensure cucumber is thoroughly drained to prevent watery tzatziki. Let chicken come to room temperature before grilling for even cooking. Do not overcrowd the grill to ensure proper charring.
- Prep Time: 22 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 skewer with tzatzi
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 28
Keywords: Greek chicken, souvlaki, skewers, tzatziki, weeknight dinner, grilled chicken, easy recipes, healthy dinner