Greek Lemon Chicken Skewers Tzatziki (Print Version)
Marinated chicken grilled with lemon and herbs, paired with cool cucumber yogurt sauce for a fresh Mediterranean meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ For the Chicken Skewers
01 - 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes
02 - 3 tbsp olive oil
03 - Juice and zest of 2 lemons
04 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
05 - 2 tbsp fresh oregano, chopped (or 1 tbsp dried)
06 - 1 tsp dried thyme
07 - 1 tsp salt
08 - ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
09 - 1 red onion, cut into 1-inch pieces (optional)
10 - 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces (optional)
11 - Lemon wedges, for serving
→ For the Tzatziki Sauce
12 - 1 cup Greek yogurt (full-fat preferred)
13 - ½ large cucumber, grated and excess water squeezed out
14 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
15 - 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
16 - 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
17 - 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
18 - ½ tsp salt
19 - ¼ tsp black pepper
# How to Cook:
01 - In a large bowl, combine olive oil, lemon juice and zest, garlic, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper. Add chicken cubes and mix to coat well. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour (up to 4 hours for best flavor).
02 - If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning. Thread the marinated chicken onto skewers, alternating with red onion and bell pepper pieces if using.
03 - Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Grill the skewers for 12–15 minutes, turning every few minutes, until chicken is cooked through and lightly charred.
04 - In a bowl, combine Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, dill, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Mix well and chill until ready to serve.
05 - Serve chicken skewers hot, garnished with lemon wedges and a generous side of tzatziki sauce.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The marinade does double duty, tenderizing the chicken while infusing it with bright, herby flavor that tastes like sunshine
- Tzatziki comes together in five minutes but makes everything feel like a restaurant-quality meal
02 -
- Over-marinating chicken in acidic lemon juice can make it mushy, stick to the recommended time frame
- Room temperature chicken grills more evenly than cold straight from the fridge
03 -
- Use a box grater for the cucumber and squeeze it tightly in a clean kitchen towel to remove excess water
- Metal skewers cook chicken faster than wooden ones, so adjust your timing accordingly