Simple Greek Lemon and Herb Chicken Souvlaki
Juicy chicken pieces marinated in lemon juice, garlic, and oregano, then grilled on skewers for a flavorful and tender meal. This greek-inspired chicken ready in about 85 minutes pairs fresh 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. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs, cut into 1-inch pieces boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 6, soaked in water for 30 minutes wooden skewers
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice, 1/4 cup olive oil, 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Add 1.5 lbs chicken thigh pieces and toss to coat.
- Step 2: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and marinate the chicken in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, preferably up to 4 hours.
- Step 3: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Thread the marinated chicken pieces evenly onto 6 soaked wooden skewers.
- Step 4: Grill the chicken skewers for 12-15 minutes, turning every 3 minutes, until chicken is cooked through and has nice grill marks.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes before serving with tzatziki or your favorite Greek sides.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Simple Greek Lemon and Herb Chicken Souvlaki take to make?
Total time is about 85 minutes (70 min prep + 15 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 Simple Greek Lemon and Herb 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 fresh lemon juice from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Simple Greek Lemon and Herb 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 Simple Greek Lemon and Herb 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 Simple Greek Lemon and Herb 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.
