Greek Lemon Chicken Skewers with Tzatziki Sauce Recipe

Introduction

Greek Lemon Chicken Skewers with Tzatziki Sauce offer a bright and flavorful meal that’s perfect for grilling season. Tender marinated chicken pairs beautifully with a cool, creamy cucumber yogurt sauce for a fresh taste of the Mediterranean.

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons plain yogurt
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh oregano, minced (or 1 1/2 teaspoons dried)
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (plus more for grilling)
• 2 lemons, thinly sliced
• For the Tzatziki Sauce:
• 1 cup plain yogurt
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 cucumber, peeled and grated

Instructions

1. Step 1: If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning.
2. Step 2: In a bowl, combine salt, yogurt, minced garlic, oregano, black pepper, lemon juice, and olive oil. Add the chicken pieces and toss to coat well. Marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
3. Step 3: For the tzatziki sauce, squeeze out excess water from the grated cucumber. Mix the cucumber with yogurt, garlic, kosher salt, black pepper, and lemon juice. Chill until ready to serve.
4. Step 4: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
5. Step 5: Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto the skewers, alternating with lemon slices.
6. Step 6: Brush the grill grates with olive oil to prevent sticking. Grill the skewers for 5 to 7 minutes per side, or until the chicken is cooked through and has nice grill marks.
7. Step 7: Serve the hot chicken skewers alongside chilled tzatziki sauce for dipping.

Tips & Variations

• Marinate the chicken for up to 4 hours for a deeper, more intense flavor.
• Serve these skewers with warm pita bread, a fresh Greek salad, or fluffy rice for a complete meal.
• Tzatziki sauce can be prepared a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator to allow the flavors to meld.

Storage

Store leftover grilled chicken skewers and tzatziki sauce separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Chicken will keep well for up to 3 days. Reheat the chicken gently in a microwave or oven to prevent drying. Tzatziki is best served cold and should be consumed within 2 days for optimal freshness.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other types of meat for the skewers?

Yes, chicken thighs or pork can be used instead of breasts. Adjust cooking time accordingly to ensure the meat is fully cooked.

Is it necessary to soak wooden skewers?

Soaking wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes prevents them from burning during grilling, making it an important step for safety and ease.

Greek Lemon Chicken Skewers with Tzatziki Sauce Recipe

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Greek Lemon Chicken Skewers with Tzatziki Sauce offer a vibrant and refreshing Mediterranean dish featuring tender marinated chicken grilled to perfection, paired with a cool, creamy cucumber-yogurt tzatziki sauce. Perfect as a main course for outdoor grilling or a flavorful dinner gathering.

• Author: liam
• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 14 minutes
• Total Time: 39 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: Greek
• Diet: Halal

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Chicken Skewers:

• 1 1/4 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons plain yogurt
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh oregano, minced (or 1 1/2 teaspoons dried)
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (plus more for grilling)
• 2 lemons, thinly sliced

For the Tzatziki Sauce:

• 1 cup plain yogurt
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 cucumber, peeled and grated

Instructions

1. Soak Skewers: If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning on the grill.
2. Marinate Chicken: In a bowl, combine salt, plain yogurt, minced garlic, oregano, ground black pepper, lemon juice, and olive oil to create the marinade. Add the chicken breasts and coat them well with the mixture. Refrigerate and marinate for 30 minutes to 1 hour to allow flavors to meld.
3. Prepare Tzatziki Sauce: Squeeze the excess water from the grated cucumber using a clean cloth or paper towel. In another bowl, mix the cucumber with plain yogurt, minced garlic, kosher salt, black pepper, and lemon juice. Chill the tzatziki sauce until ready to serve to enhance the flavors.
4. Preheat Grill: Heat the grill to a medium-high temperature. Brush the grill grates lightly with olive oil to prevent sticking.
5. Assemble Skewers: Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto the soaked skewers, alternating each piece with thin lemon slices for added flavor and moisture.
6. Grill Chicken: Place the prepared skewers on the grill and cook for 5 to 7 minutes per side, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and is cooked through. Turn carefully to char evenly without burning.
7. Serve: Serve the hot grilled chicken skewers immediately alongside the chilled tzatziki sauce for dipping.

Notes

• You can marinate the chicken for up to 4 hours for deeper flavor infusion.
• Serve the skewers with pita bread, fresh salad, or rice to complete the meal.
• The tzatziki sauce can be made a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator to develop better flavor.

Keywords: Greek chicken skewers, lemon chicken, tzatziki sauce, grilled chicken, Mediterranean recipe, healthy chicken skewers