Chicken Souvlaki is a fresh and bright-tasting dinner that the whole family will love. For only 2 points per serving, this dish is filled with lemon herb flavor and comes together in less than an hour from start to finish. This is the perfect summer meal and can be made in the oven, air fryer, or grill. The side dish options are endless. It’s easy to customize with your favorite seasoning, making it the perfect go-to for busy weeknights.
You’ll love that each bite of chicken souvlaki is tender and golden. Because the chicken is cut into pieces, the marinade infuses more quickly so you’ll spend less time preparing this meal overall without sacrificing flavor.
Why Should Try This Recipe
- Simple: This dish takes just a handful of simple ingredients. The prep is quick and easy making this a great dish for cooks of all skill levels. You can easily substitute ingredients for this dish making the most of what you have on hand rather than running to the store.
- Versatile: This dish isn’t strongly flavored meaning it can pair well with a wide range of sides. Everything from rice to crisp salads, and even potatoes go well with chicken souvlaki. Leftovers can be used as filler for wraps, used on sandwiches, and frozen for a quick meal starter.
- Family Friendly: The skewers make this dish fun for older kids and are easy to remove for the younger ones. It’s a meal that can be served up family style with pita bread and lots of options of fresh chopped veggies and sauce so that everyone can build a plate to their liking.
Recipe Overview
- Serving Size: 196g
- Number of Servings: Serves 4
- Time to Cook: 20 minutes
- WW Points Per Recipe: 2 points per serving, 8 points per batch
Ingredients in Chicken Souvlaki
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast: Chicken breast is diced into small cubes for this recipe to allow the marinade to infuse quickly.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil: A small amount of olive oil is needed to avoid the chicken drying out during cooking. Feel free to omit this and use an oil spritzer or equal amounts of either light mayo or plain Greek Yogurt to coat the chicken.
- 1 medium lemon: Lemon juice and zest give this chicken a citrusy burst.
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano: Oregano complements the lemon and adds concentrated herb flavor.
- 2 cloves garlic: Garlic adds depth of flavor to this savory dish.
- 1 teaspoon salt: Salt enhances the chicken and balances the acidity of the lemons.
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper: Pepper adds a deeper flavor and tastes delicious with the lemon zest.
Instructions for Making Chicken Souvlaki
1. Soak the wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes. Place the chicken pieces into a large mixing bowl and drizzle with olive oil.
2. Add the lemon zest and juice.
3. Add the garlic and sprinkle with oregano, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat all of the pieces. Next, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
4. Preheat the oven to 425°F. Then, place the chicken on the skewers, about 6-7 pieces per skewer. Bake for 18-22 minutes, turning after 15 minutes for more even browning. Optional step: broil for 3-4 minutes to add more color to the chicken if needed.
5. When done, the chicken should be lightly browned and an internal temperature of at least 165°F. Let cool for 5 minutes then serve warm alongside your choice of accompaniments. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Variations and Substitutions
- Use a different cut of chicken: Boneless skinless chicken breast is excellent for this recipe because it’s easy to cut and has zero WW points. However, because it is low in fat it can easily dry out. If you prefer chicken thighs for this recipe, they will still taste great.
- Adjust the marinade to your liking: Feel free to add your favorite herbs and spices to the marinade. Try dried parsley, dill, smoked paprika, or crushed red pepper flakes for a little heat.
- Use the cooking method that works for you: Chicken souvlaki is often grilled. However, this nutritious meal isn’t just for when you have time for outdoor cooking. You can bake them in the oven or air fry them too.
- Grill: 8-10 minutes at 400°F rotating the skewers to each side for 2-3 minutes until golden brown and cooked thoroughly. If they are browning too quickly, be sure to turn down the temperature and move them to a cooler area.
- Air Fryer: 16-18 minutes at 375°F, turning halfway through cooking time. The time and temperature may vary based on the power of your air fryer model so be sure to cook in a single layer and check on them frequently. Since most air fryers are small, you will likely need to buy 6” skewers or carefully clip yours in half. Alternatively, you can buy metal air fryer specific skewers. These are ideal because they’re less likely to burn and will fit your air fryer basket.
Tips and Tricks for Making Chicken Souvlaki
- Soak the skewers: You’ll need to plan ahead so you have adequate soaking time for the skewers. Metal skewers don’t require soaking time but if you plan to use wooden skewers, they will need to soak in water for at least 30 minutes before cooking to avoid burning. Feel free to place them in water overnight or in the morning to save on cooking day prep.
- Make it a platter: These chicken souvlaki skewers make an excellent DIY platter. Place the skewers in the center and surround them with accompaniments such as warmed pita, tzatziki sauce, and sliced veggies such as tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion.
- Use a meat thermometer: I love using instant-read meat thermometers because this simple tool makes a huge difference in the quality of your food and ensures doneness. While you can use visual cues to cook chicken, using a meat thermometer allows you to accurately measure the temperature and avoid overcooking.
- Add veggies: Traditional chicken souvlaki is just the meat but feel free to add veggies to your liking. Firm vegetables such as onion, bell pepper, and zucchini are all excellent additions.
Related Recipes
Chicken Souvlaki
Equipment
- 8 wooden skewers
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds chicken breast, diced into 1 1/2 inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium lemon, zested and juiced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Instructions
- Place the wooden skewers into a bowl of cool water to soak for at least 30 minutes. Place the chicken pieces into a large mixing bowl and drizzle with olive oil.
- Add the lemon zest and juice.
- Add the garlic and sprinkle with oregano, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat all of the pieces. Next, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 425°F. Then, place the chicken on the skewers, about 6-7 pieces per skewer. Bake for 18-22 minutes, turning after 15 minutes for more even browning. Optional step: broil for 3-4 minutes to add more color to the chicken if needed.
- When done, the chicken should be lightly browned and an internal temperature of at least 165°F. Let cool for 5 minutes then serve warm alongside your choice of accompaniments. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
