Grilled Lemon-Garlic Chicken Skewers with Tzatziki
Juicy chicken skewers marinated in lemon and garlic, grilled to perfection, and served with a cool, creamy tzatziki sauce. This mediterranean-inspired curry ready in about 25 minutes pairs freshly squeezed lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs, cut into 1.5-inch cubes boneless chicken breast
- 1/4 cup, freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 1.5 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/2 medium, grated and drained cucumber
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh dill
- 1 tbsp white vinegar
- 1 clove, minced garlic clove (for sauce)
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, combine 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice, 3 tbsp olive oil, 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 tsp dried oregano, 1.5 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Add 1.5 lbs boneless chicken breast cut into 1.5-inch cubes, tossing to coat. Marinate for at least 1 hour in the refrigerator.
- Step 2: Meanwhile, prepare the tzatziki sauce by mixing 1 cup plain Greek yogurt, 1/2 grated and drained cucumber, 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill, 1 tbsp white vinegar, and 1 minced garlic clove. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Step 3: Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto skewers, leaving space between pieces.
- Step 4: Grill the skewers for 4-5 minutes per side, turning once, until the chicken is cooked through and has nice grill marks.
- Step 5: Serve the hot chicken skewers with chilled tzatziki sauce for dipping.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Grilled Lemon-Garlic Chicken Skewers with Tzatziki take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (15 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Grilled Lemon-Garlic Chicken Skewers with Tzatziki?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep freshly squeezed lemon juice from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Lemon-Garlic Chicken Skewers with Tzatziki?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Grilled Lemon-Garlic Chicken Skewers with Tzatziki for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Grilled Lemon-Garlic Chicken Skewers with Tzatziki?
Mediterranean curry like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Easily the best grilled chicken I've ever made.
- ★★★★★
Family loved the tzatziki, and the chicken was perfect.
- ★★★★★
This is my new go-to dinner! The chicken was so juicy.