Greek Chicken Souvlaki Easy Meal Recipe

Is the nightly dinner table a battleground at your house? Do you feel like a short-order cook, trying to please everyone from the toddler who only eats beige food to the spouse who wants something fresh and healthy? I get it. I’ve been there more times than I can count.

That’s why I’m so excited to share our family’s secret weapon: Greek Chicken Souvlaki Easy Meal. This isn’t just another recipe. It’s our ticket to a peaceful, happy dinner where everyone actually cleans their plate. The best part? It’s simple, packed with flavor, and feels like a fun treat instead of a “healthy” chore. If you love simple, flavorful Greek chicken recipes, this one is for you.

If you’re tired of the same old chicken and need a win, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s make dinner fun again.

Recipe Overview

• Cuisine: Greek / Mediterranean
• Category: Main Course
• Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 30 minutes marinating)
• Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
• Total Time: About 1 hour
• Servings: 4-6

Why Even My Picky Eaters Love This!

I know what you’re thinking. “My kid won’t touch anything with ‘sauce’ or weird spices.” Trust me, I thought the same. But this meal is a game-changer for a few smart reasons.

First, it’s served deconstructed. The chicken goes on skewers (everything is more fun on a stick!). The creamy yogurt sauce is served on the side for dipping. Kids love control, so letting them dip each bite themselves is a huge win.

Second, the flavors are bright and fresh, not weird or overwhelming. The marinade makes the chicken super juicy and gives it a lemony, herby taste that’s just delicious. Even the most skeptical eater usually goes for it.

Finally, it’s a complete meal you can build together. Pita bread, some cucumber slices, maybe a few fries on the side—everyone gets to make their perfect plate. It turns dinner into an activity, not a demand.

Our Family-Friendly Ingredient List

No fancy, hard-to-find items here! I bet you have most of this in your pantry right now. We’re keeping it simple and accessible.

For the Chicken & Marinade:

• 1.5 to 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• Juice of 1 large lemon (about 1/4 cup)
• 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano (the star of Greek flavor!)
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

For the Easy Tzatziki (Yogurt Sauce):

• 1 cup plain whole milk Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup grated cucumber (squeeze out the extra water with your hands!)
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped (or 1 tsp dried)
• 1 small garlic clove, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

For Serving:

• Pita bread or flatbreads
• Sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, or red onion
• Optional: cooked rice, a simple green salad, or even a few oven fries

How to Get the Kids Involved in Cooking This

Getting little hands involved is my top trick for getting them excited to eat. It builds ownership! Here are two perfect jobs for your helpers.

Job 1: The Skewer Master. If you’re using wooden skewers (soaked in water for 30 minutes first!), let your child thread the marinated chicken cubes onto them. It’s like delicious, edible playdough! Supervise closely for pointy ends.

Job 2: Sauce Stirrer. Measuring the yogurt, grating the cucumber (with help!), and stirring all the tzatziki ingredients together is a fantastic, no-cook task. Let them taste and approve the final product—chefs need quality control!

The Full Step-by-Step Instructions

Don’t let the marinating time scare you. That’s just passive time where the flavor magic happens while you do something else. Here’s how it all comes together.

1. Marinate the chicken. In a large bowl or zip-top bag, mix the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken cubes, toss to coat, and let it marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes (or up to 4 hours).
2. Make the tzatziki. While the chicken marinates, make the sauce. Grate the cucumber, then use your hands to squeeze out as much liquid as you can over the sink. This keeps your sauce creamy, not watery! Mix it with the yogurt, lemon juice, dill, garlic, salt, and pepper. Cover and chill.
3. Prep your grill or grill pan. Heat your grill, grill pan, or broiler to medium-high heat. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes before threading the chicken.
4. Skewer the chicken. Thread the marinated chicken cubes onto the skewers, leaving a little space between each piece for even cooking.
5. Cook the skewers. Grill the souvlaki for 4-5 minutes per side, or until the chicken is cooked through and has nice grill marks. The total time is usually 10-12 minutes.
6. Rest and serve. Let the chicken rest for 3-5 minutes after cooking. This keeps it juicy! Serve the skewers with warm pita, the chilled tzatziki sauce, and your favorite fresh veggies.

Fun Twists for Different Tastes

Every family is different. Here’s how to tweak this meal to make it a surefire hit for your crew.

For the Ultra-Picky Eater: Serve everything completely separate. A plate with plain grilled chicken cubes (no skewer), plain pita bread, and cucumber slices. Put the tzatziki in a tiny bowl on the side just for the adults or brave kids.

For the Veggie-Lover: Make veggie skewers! Thread chunks of bell pepper, red onion, and zucchini onto separate skewers. Brush them with a little of the marinade and grill alongside the chicken.

For a Heartier Meal: Turn it into a souvlaki bowl! Skip the pita and serve the sliced chicken over a bed of rice or quinoa, topped with tzatziki, tomatoes, cucumbers, and a sprinkle of feta cheese for the adults. If you’re looking for another fantastic chicken and rice dish, you must try this high-protein garlic chicken fried rice for a quick and nourishing meal.

Storing & Reheating (Perfect for Busy Nights)

This is a fantastic make-ahead meal, which is a total lifesaver on busy weeknights.

Store leftover cooked chicken and tzatziki sauce in separate airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can even marinate the chicken overnight so it’s ready to cook the next day.

To reheat, I find the best method is a quick warm-up in a skillet over medium heat or a few minutes in a toaster oven. This keeps it from drying out. The microwave can work in a pinch, but go slow with 30-second bursts.

Nutrition Notes

One of the reasons I feel so good serving this is because it’s genuinely nourishing. It’s a perfect example of why the Mediterranean diet is so praised!

• High-Quality Protein: The chicken helps keep everyone full and supports growing muscles.
• Gut-Friendly Probiotics: The Greek yogurt in the tzatziki is great for digestion.
• Healthy Fats: Olive oil in the marinade is a heart-healthy fat.
• No Hidden Sugars: You control everything that goes in, unlike takeout.
• Packed with Flavor, Not Calories: It’s a satisfying meal that relies on herbs and lemon, not heavy creams or butter.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can I make this without a grill?

Absolutely! A grill pan on your stovetop works wonderfully. You can also broil the skewers on a baking sheet lined with foil. Just place them about 6 inches from the broiler element and turn halfway through, watching carefully so they don’t burn.

My family doesn’t like dill. What can I use instead?

No problem! Fresh mint is a fantastic and authentic substitute in the tzatziki. If you want something even milder, just leave the herbs out altogether. The garlic, lemon, and cucumber still make a delicious, creamy sauce.

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Yes, and they’re actually my secret for even juicier, more forgiving skewers! Thighs have a bit more fat, so they stay tender even if you accidentally overcook them a little. Just trim any excess fat before cubing.

So there you have it—our family’s favorite way to turn an ordinary Tuesday into a mini Mediterranean vacation. It’s a meal that’s brought us together, gotten veggies into my kids without a fight, and given me one reliable dinner I don’t have to stress over. For another fast and flavorful chicken pasta dish the whole family will love, check out this garlic parmesan chicken pasta.

I truly hope it brings the same joy and peace to your table. Give it a try this week and see those clean plates for yourself.

I’d love to know if this was a hit with your family! Did your kids go for the skewers? Did you try any fun twists? Please leave a comment and rating below!