Description
Greek Lemon Chicken Skewers with Tzatziki Sauce are a flavorful and vibrant Mediterranean dish featuring tender marinated chicken grilled to perfection and served with a cool, creamy cucumber yogurt sauce. This recipe combines fresh lemon juice, garlic, oregano, and spices for a zesty marinade, paired with a refreshing tzatziki made with Greek yogurt, cucumber, garlic, and dill. Perfect for a healthy and satisfying meal, these skewers are great for grilling enthusiasts and lovers of fresh, bold flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken Marinade
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, grated or minced
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon ground coriander
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
For the Tzatziki Sauce
- 1 cup shredded English cucumber (or diced)
- 1½ cups plain Greek yogurt (non-fat, 2%, or whole)
- Juice of half a lemon
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
- ½ teaspoon grated garlic (or 1 teaspoon for extra garlicky flavor)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the marinade: In a bowl, combine lemon juice, red wine vinegar, olive oil, garlic, oregano, parsley, cumin, coriander, salt, and pepper. Stir well to blend all flavors.
- Marinate the chicken: Add the chicken cubes to the marinade, toss to coat them thoroughly. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to overnight, to develop the best flavor.
- Preheat grill or broiler: Get your grill or oven broiler ready by preheating it, preparing it for cooking the chicken skewers.
- Assemble and cook the skewers: Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto skewers. Grill or broil the skewers for about 10–12 minutes, turning occasionally until the chicken is fully cooked through and has slight charred edges.
- Drain the cucumber: Place the shredded cucumber in a fine mesh strainer or wrap it in a clean towel and squeeze out excess liquid to avoid a watery tzatziki.
- Make the tzatziki sauce: In a bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, lemon juice, chopped dill, grated garlic, salt, and pepper. Stir well to blend all ingredients.
- Combine cucumber with sauce: Stir the drained cucumber into the yogurt mixture until well combined. Refrigerate the tzatziki until ready to serve alongside the chicken skewers.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken overnight intensifies the flavor and results in the most tender meat.
- Soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes before grilling to prevent burning.
- If you don’t have a grill, broiling in the oven is an excellent alternative.
- For a spicier marinade, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper.
- Use full-fat Greek yogurt for a richer, creamier tzatziki sauce.
- Serve the skewers with warm pita bread and fresh salad to complete the meal.
