Chicken Souvlaki Recipe
Make Chicken Souvlaki Recipe in just 1h . Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
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Ingredients
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Marinade & Chicken
For Serving / Optional Accompaniments
Method
Marinade & Chicken
Prepare the chicken
Trim excess fat from the chicken thighs and pat them dry with paper towels. Cut each thigh into 1 to 1¼-inch pieces so they will thread easily and cook evenly. Aim for bite-sized cubes.
Make the marinade
In a medium bowl combine 3 tbs extra-virgin olive oil, 3 tbs fresh lemon juice, 1 tps fresh lemon zest, 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp dried thyme (if using), 1 tbs red wine vinegar, 1.5 tsp kosher salt and 3/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper. Whisk until emulsified.
Marinate the chicken
Add the chicken pieces to the marinade and toss until all pieces are evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 4 hours. (Avoid longer than 6–8 hours for acid-based marinades to prevent meat from becoming mushy.)
Prepare skewers
If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning. Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto skewers, leaving a little space between pieces so heat circulates and they cook evenly. Reserve any leftover marinade.
Bring to room temperature
Remove skewers from the refrigerator about 15–20 minutes before cooking so the chicken warms slightly and cooks more evenly.
Cook & Finish
Grill the skewers
Place the skewers on the hot grill or pan. Cook for 3–4 minutes on the first side without moving, until grill marks form and the chicken releases easily. Flip and cook 2–4 minutes more, turning as needed, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest piece reads 165°F (74°C). Total cooking time will be about 6–9 minutes depending on piece size and heat.
Rest
Transfer cooked skewers to a plate, cover loosely with foil, and let rest 5 minutes. Resting redistributes juices and keeps meat tender.
Finish and serve
Brush the cooked chicken lightly with a little extra-virgin olive oil (optional) and sprinkle with chopped parsley. Serve skewers with warm pita, tzatziki, sliced red onion, cucumber, chopped tomato and lemon wedges. To make gyros, slide chicken off skewers onto pita, add tzatziki and vegetables, and squeeze lemon over the top.