This easy Chicken Souvlaki recipe from Jamie Oliver is perfect for a quick, delicious meal. Marinated chicken skewers are grilled to perfection and served with creamy tzatziki and warm pita. It’s a simple, flavorful dish that can be customized with your favorite toppings, making it a versatile and tasty option for any meal.
Ingredients Needed
For the Chicken Souvlaki:
- 4 boneless chicken breasts (approx. 1 kg/35 oz)
- 4 tbsp (1/4 cup) olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp dried oregano
- Salt and freshly ground pepper
For the Tzatziki Sauce:
- 1 cucumber
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) extra virgin olive oil
- 500g (18 oz) strained yogurt
- 1-2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- A pinch of salt
To Serve:
- 8 pita breads
- Olive oil
- 1-2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tomato, sliced
- 1 red onion, sliced
- Fried potatoes (optional)
- Romaine (cos) lettuce (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground pepper
- 8-9 wooden skewers
How To Make Chicken Souvlaki
- Prepare the Chicken Marinade: Cut the chicken breasts into 2-3 cm (1 inch) pieces and place in a large bowl. Add olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix everything thoroughly, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30-60 minutes.
- Make the Tzatziki Sauce: In a blender, combine olive oil and minced garlic. Blend until smooth. Peel and deseed the cucumber, then grate it into a bowl. Season with salt and pepper and leave it for 10 minutes. Wrap the grated cucumber in a towel and squeeze out any excess water. Add the cucumber, garlic-oil mixture, yogurt, red wine vinegar, and a pinch of salt to a bowl. Blend until smooth, then refrigerate and serve cold.
- Assemble the Skewers: Cut the wooden skewers to fit your griddle pan, then soak them in water to prevent them from burning. Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto the skewers.
- Cook the Chicken Souvlaki: Preheat a grill or griddle pan over high heat. Grill the chicken skewers for about 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until nicely browned on all sides and cooked through.
- Prepare the Pita Breads: Preheat the oven to 250°C (482°F). Brush both sides of the pita breads with olive oil and season with salt and oregano. Place an upside-down tray in the oven and put the pita breads on top. Bake for 2 minutes. Alternatively, use a griddle pan or grill.
- Serve the Chicken Souvlaki: Slice the red onions and place them on a platter. Top with the chicken skewers, drizzle with extra virgin olive oil, and squeeze over some lemon juice. Serve warm with pita breads and tzatziki sauce. Optionally, you can wrap the chicken souvlaki in pita with tzatziki, sliced onions, tomatoes, fried potatoes, and lettuce. Enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- Marinate the Chicken Well: Make sure to marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes (or up to 1 hour) to allow the flavors to fully soak in for the best taste.
- Soak Wooden Skewers: Always soak wooden skewers in water for 10-15 minutes before using them to prevent them from burning during cooking.
- Use High Heat for Grilling: Preheat your grill or griddle pan to high heat to get a nice char on the chicken, which adds extra flavor and texture.
- Warm the Pita Just Before Serving: Warm the pita bread in the oven or on a grill just before serving to keep it soft and make it more enjoyable when eating with the souvlaki.
How To Store And Reheat Leftovers?
- Refrigerate: Let any leftover chicken souvlaki cool to room temperature, then place it in an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: Once the chicken souvlaki has cooled, you can freeze it in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 1 month. To serve, thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating or using in wraps.
- Reheat: Heat a little olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the chicken souvlaki and cook for 3-4 minutes, turning occasionally, until warmed through.
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 174g)
- Calories: 278
- Total Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
- Sodium: 215mg
- Potassium: 528mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 2g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 0.3g
- Protein: 34g
Try More Jamie Oliver Recipes:
- Jamie Oliver Chicken Massaman Curry Recipe
- Jamie Oliver Chicken Goujons
- Jamie Oliver Sweet And Sour Chicken
- Jamie Oliver Mediterranean Chicken
Jamie Oliver Chicken Souvlaki Recipe
Description
This easy Chicken Souvlaki recipe from Jamie Oliver is perfect for a quick, delicious meal. Marinated chicken skewers are grilled to perfection and served with creamy tzatziki and warm pita. It’s a simple, flavorful dish that can be customized with your favorite toppings, making it a versatile and tasty option for any meal.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Souvlaki:
For the Tzatziki Sauce:
To Serve:
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken Marinade: Cut the chicken breasts into 2-3 cm (1 inch) pieces and place in a large bowl. Add olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix everything thoroughly, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30-60 minutes.
- Make the Tzatziki Sauce: In a blender, combine olive oil and minced garlic. Blend until smooth. Peel and deseed the cucumber, then grate it into a bowl. Season with salt and pepper and leave it for 10 minutes. Wrap the grated cucumber in a towel and squeeze out any excess water. Add the cucumber, garlic-oil mixture, yogurt, red wine vinegar, and a pinch of salt to a bowl. Blend until smooth, then refrigerate and serve cold.
- Assemble the Skewers: Cut the wooden skewers to fit your griddle pan, then soak them in water to prevent them from burning. Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto the skewers.
- Cook the Chicken Souvlaki: Preheat a grill or griddle pan over high heat. Grill the chicken skewers for about 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until nicely browned on all sides and cooked through.
- Prepare the Pita Breads: Preheat the oven to 250°C (482°F). Brush both sides of the pita breads with olive oil and season with salt and oregano. Place an upside-down tray in the oven and put the pita breads on top. Bake for 2 minutes. Alternatively, use a griddle pan or grill.
- Serve the Chicken Souvlaki: Slice the red onions and place them on a platter. Top with the chicken skewers, drizzle with extra virgin olive oil, and squeeze over some lemon juice. Serve warm with pita breads and tzatziki sauce. Optionally, you can wrap the chicken souvlaki in pita with tzatziki, sliced onions, tomatoes, fried potatoes, and lettuce. Enjoy!
Notes
- Marinate the Chicken Well: Make sure to marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes (or up to 1 hour) to allow the flavors to fully soak in for the best taste.
- Soak Wooden Skewers: Always soak wooden skewers in water for 10-15 minutes before using them to prevent them from burning during cooking.
- Use High Heat for Grilling: Preheat your grill or griddle pan to high heat to get a nice char on the chicken, which adds extra flavor and texture.
- Warm the Pita Just Before Serving: Warm the pita bread in the oven or on a grill just before serving to keep it soft and make it more enjoyable when eating with the souvlaki.
Jamie Oliver Chicken Souvlaki Recipe