Oven-Roasted Lemon-Oregano Chicken Souvlaki
Tender chicken marinated in bright lemon and oregano, oven-roasted to juicy perfection and served with a fresh tzatziki sauce. This greek-inspired chicken ready in about 30 minutes pairs cut into 1-inch cubes chicken breast, extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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 breast
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/2 medium, grated and drained cucumber
- 1 tbsp, finely chopped fresh dill
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 small clove, minced fresh garlic
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1 tbsp dried oregano, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Add 1 lb chicken breast cubes and toss thoroughly to coat. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
- Step 2: Preheat oven to 425°F. Arrange the marinated chicken cubes on a rimmed baking sheet spaced evenly. Roast for 18-20 minutes, turning once halfway through, until cooked through and lightly browned.
- Step 3: While the chicken roasts, prepare tzatziki by mixing 1/2 cup Greek yogurt, 1/2 grated cucumber (squeezed of excess water), 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill, 1 tsp lemon zest, 1 minced small garlic clove, and a pinch of salt. Stir well and refrigerate until serving.
- Step 4: Serve the roasted chicken souvlaki with a dollop of tzatziki sauce and garnish with extra oregano or lemon wedges if desired.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Oven-Roasted Lemon-Oregano Chicken Souvlaki take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 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 Oven-Roasted Lemon-Oregano Chicken Souvlaki?
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 extra virgin olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Oven-Roasted Lemon-Oregano Chicken Souvlaki?
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 Oven-Roasted Lemon-Oregano Chicken Souvlaki 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 Oven-Roasted Lemon-Oregano Chicken Souvlaki?
Greek chicken 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.