Grilled Lemon-Oregano Chicken Skewers with Tzatziki
Juicy chicken marinated in fresh lemon juice, oregano, and garlic, grilled on skewers and served with cool cucumber-yogurt tzatziki sauce. This Greek recipe, ready in about 27 minutes, pairs chicken breasts, olive oil, lemon juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 290 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. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb, cut into 1-inch cubes chicken breasts
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup, freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh oregano
- 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 medium, peeled and grated cucumber
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp, chopped fresh dill
- 1 tsp white vinegar
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for sauce)
- 1 clove, minced garlic clove (for sauce)
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine 3 tbsp olive oil, 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice, 2 tbsp chopped fresh oregano, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Add 1 lb chicken breasts cut into 1-inch cubes and toss to coat. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
- Step 2: Meanwhile, prepare the tzatziki: grate 1/2 medium peeled cucumber and squeeze out excess water with a paper towel. In a small bowl, mix the grated cucumber with 1 cup Greek yogurt, 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill, 1 tsp white vinegar, 1 tbsp olive oil, and 1 minced garlic clove. Stir well and refrigerate until serving.
- Step 3: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Thread the marinated chicken cubes onto skewers, leaving a bit of space between pieces.
- Step 4: Grill the chicken skewers for 4-5 minutes per side, until internal temperature reaches 165°F and the outside is lightly charred and juicy.
- Step 5: Serve the chicken skewers hot with a generous dollop of the chilled tzatziki sauce on the side.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Grilled Lemon-Oregano Chicken Skewers with Tzatziki take to make?
Total time is about 27 minutes (15 min prep + 12 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-Oregano 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 chicken breasts from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Lemon-Oregano 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-Oregano 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-Oregano Chicken Skewers with Tzatziki?
Mediterranean greek 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
- ★★★★★
My family devoured these skewers. The tzatziki was the perfect cool counterpoint.
- ★★★★★
This was the best chicken I've ever grilled! The lemon-oregano combo is amazing.
- ★★★★☆
Takes longer to marinate than the recipe says, but the flavor was worth the wait.
