Souvlaki Skewers

Chicken Souvlaki Skewers are tender and juicy, easy to make and full of flavor. These marinated skewers are seasoned with Greek Oregano, garlic and lemon juice. So simple, everyone will be asking for more meat skewers! Instructions for charcoal bbq or indoor griddle/gas grill with bbq video tutorial.

What is Souvlaki?

Souvlaki is marinated cubes of meat, (and sometimes vegetables) skewered and then grilled. It's like an easy fast food, eaten hot and usually right off the skewer. Originating in Greece, around Athens they are known as Kalamaki. Unlike my Lamb Shashlik, this Chicken Souvlaki uses Mediterranean flavors for a lighter, zestier dish.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds (1 kg) chicken breast boneless and skinless

Souvlaki Marinade

• ⅓ cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• ¼ cup lemon juice
• 4 large cloves minced garlic
• 2 tablespoons Greek Oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• Ziploc Bag

How to Make Souvlaki Skewers

1. Prepare Meat - cut the chicken into cubes into 1½ inch cubes.
2. Marinate - place the chicken into a Ziploc bag, add the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, Greek oregano, salt and pepper and shake until coated. Refrigerate overnight.
3. Prepare Skewers - if using wooden skewers, submerge them in water and soak overnight. If in a hurry, soak for a minimum of 1 hour.
4. Skewer - thread the marinated chicken pieces through the skewers.
5. Prepare Grill - light the outdoor charcoal grill, griddle or bbq on medium high heat. Spray the bbq/griddle with oil. Place skewers on grill, cook and flip until the internal temperature is at 160°F/71°C (using an instant-read thermometer).
6. Serve - remove from grill and serve with Pita bread and Meze appetizer sides.

How to Grill Souvlaki Skewers

The best tasting Souvlaki is cooked over hot charcoals. However, it's common to grill Souvlaki on a bbq or an indoor griddle.

Hot Charcoal Method

1. Prepare your charcoal fire in a chimney starter. PRO TIP: Don't tip into the base of your bbq until all the charcoals are white. This will take around 15-20 minutes.
2. Don't evenly spread the charcoals over the base of your bbq. The chicken Souvlaki needs space to cook over Direct Heat and then Indirect Heat so they don't burn.
3. Place the METAL skewers over the direct heat, and flip them over as they cook. Depending on the heat of the charcoal, it can take a few minutes per side. Keep an eye so it doesn't burn, it happens very fast!
4. Chicken breast is safe to eat when the internal temperature reaches 160°F/70°C

Gas Bbq or Indoor Griddle Method

1. Heat the bbq or griddle on medium-high heat. Using cooking spray, apply on the griddle or bbq grill.
2. Place the chicken skewers on the grill and cook until browned, flip and repeat. This will take about 2-3 minutes per side.
3. Chicken breast is safe to eat when the internal temperature reaches 160°F/70°C

Recipe Tips and FAQs

• Using Lamb - shoulder or lamb leg cuts are best. Trim excess fat to avoid flares. Cook until the internal temperature is at 140°F (60°C)
• Using Beef - for a tender souvlaki, use tenderloin, sirloin or ribeye. Avoid tougher cuts like chuck steak. Cook until the internal temperature is at 140°F (60°C)
• Using Pork - for best flavor and juiciness, use pork shoulder. You can use Pork loin, but it is leaner, similar to chicken breast. Cook at a lower temperature, until the internal temperature is at 150°F (66°C)
• Rest - allow meat to rest for 5 minutes before serving, allowing time to redistribute juices in meat
• Serve with Fresh Oregano - for that authentic Greek flavor, finely chop fresh oregano and sprinkle of cooked Souvlaki Skewers

What types of Meats are Used in Souvlaki?

Use your favorite meats when making Souvlaki. I often use Chicken, but the meats can be interchangeable. Use your favorite meats like:

• Pork
• Beef
• Lamb
• Chicken

How long do you marinate Souvlaki?

For best flavor, marinate the Chicken Souvlaki overnight in the fridge. Place the cubed chicken and souvlaki marinade in a Ziploc, shake to coat and that's it! If you are in a hurry, marinate the meat pieces for 4-5 hours before skewering.

Chicken Souvlaki Seasoning

The secret to delicious tasting Souvlaki seasoning is using Greek Oregano. That is all. You don't need fancy Greek seasonings which aren't really Greek at all, but just clever marketing. Greek Oregano is savory and earthy, and isn't as mild as Italian Oregano. To keep this recipe authentic, find real Greek Oregano, seasoned with salt and pepper. Too easy!

Best Skewers for Souvlaki

I think it's always best to use metal skewers when grilling meat kebobs. Metal skewers don't burn, are easy to wash and are re-usable and must be used for Charcoal grilling. Wooden skewers tend to burn, because the are made from wood, but are used with grilling indoors or on the gas bbq. Here are some tips when using wooden skewers.

• Use bamboo skewers instead of wood skewers, the thicker the better so it won't burn as quickly
• Soak skewers submerged in water overnight before using
• Cover as much of the skewer with meat, so tips don't burn

Sauce for Greek Souvlaki Skewers

Nobody like eating dry Souvlaki, and I am obsessed with sauces. It's so easy to make homemade sauces for Greek Chicken Souvlaki, you don't need to buy them. My 2 favorite sauces that I eat with all Greek food is Tzatziki Sauce and Yogurt Garlic Sauce that tastes amazing with kebabs.

What to Serve with Greek Souvlaki?

This Souvlaki recipe makes around 10 metal skewers or 12 bamboo skewers (because they are shorter). Usually Souvlaki is served with Pita Bread wit sliced tomatoes, onion and sauce. Like a quick easy street food, but that's not the only way to enjoy Souvlaki.

We eat this as part of a Greek Meze feast. Meze means 'small dishes' like appetizers enjoyed across the Mediterranean and the Balkans. We make many Greek and Mediterranean Meze dishes to enjoy, including grilled souvlaki.

• Tzatziki Sauce
• Wrapped in Pita
• Greek Salad (Horiatiki)
• Fried Saganaki
• Grilled Octopus
• Taramasalata
• Greek Eggplant Dip
• Spanakopita (Spinach Triangles)
• Yogurt Garlic Sauce
• Kalamata Olives
• Maroulosalata - Greek Lettuce Salad
• Ouzo
• Roasted Cherry Tomatoes
• Kleftiko - Roasted Goat for Main Meal
• Honey Roasted Figs for dessert

Follow along the video to make Greek Chicken Souvlaki, perfect for your Greek Meze feast! Inspired by my travels in Greece, a tasty summer Mediterranean bbq recipe that will WOW your guests! Bon Appetit! Приятного аппетита!

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