Chicken Souvlaki with Tzatziki Sauce

Greek chicken souvlaki is easy to make at home, and a real hit with our teenage sons.  I’ve made it several times so far this summer in an attempt to streamline the recipe.  The name chicken souvlaki implies skewers of chicken chunks, but this makes for a labor intensive meal that is difficult to scale up for a crowd.  The most recent time I made this I grilled the chicken thighs first, then cut them into chunks.  Initially I was making my own pita bread because my local grocery store in New Mexico sold dozens and dozens of different kinds of tortillas, but didn’t sell any pita bread.  This is the pita bread recipe that works best for me. I’m still  experimenting with the cooking method.  Now my grocery store has started selling pita bread, so I’m buying it instead.  Meanwhile, the chicken and tzatziki sauce are fantastic.  Alex recently declared that this is his new favorite meal.  As another option, you can serve Greek Salad with cold grilled souvlaki chicken and tzatziki sauce as an outstanding lunch.  The kids eat it up immediately.  The tzatziki sauce is also an perfect dip for pita chips, of course.  Unless you find yourself just eating it with a spoon.

Chicken Souvlaki with Tzatziki Sauce

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Course Main Dish

Cuisine Greek

Servings 8

Ingredients

  

• 2 lbs. of skinless boneless chicken thighs

Marinade

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper

Toppings

• tzatziki sauce recipe follows
• pita bread
• sliced tomatoes
• sliced red onion
• chopped cucumber optional
• sliced black olives optional

Instructions

 

• Cut the chicken into bite sized pieces if you are planning to grill it on skewers, or leave the chicken thighs whole, and place the chicken in a large zip top bag.
• Combine the marinade ingredients in a small bowl or liquid measuring cup then pour it into the zip top bag with the chicken. Seal the bag, and work the marinade into the chicken. Let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes.
• Thread the chicken chunks onto skewers if you have chosen to use them. Grill the chicken over medium to medium high heat, then slice the cooked chicken thighs into strips if you didn’t use skewers.
• To serve, start with a piece of pita bread and spread it with a generous serving of tzatziki sauce. Pile on some chicken and chopped vegetables, and serve.

Tzatziki Sauce

2 cups Greek yogurt
1 English cucumber
1 ½ tablespoons lemon juice
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 teaspoon dried dill
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper

Grate the cucumber using a cheese grater.  There is no need to peel it.   Allow the cucumber to drain for 20-30 minutes, or squeeze the moisture out using paper towels.  Mix the yogurt, drained cucumber, and seasonings together, and let the sauce rest for the flavors to combine.