Greek Chicken Souvlaki Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is souvlaki sauce made of? ›

Prepare sauce: Mix yogurt, cucumber, olive oil, vinegar, garlic, and salt together in a bowl. Refrigerate sauce for flavors to blend, 1 to 2 hours. Soak wooden skewers in a bowl of cold water for about 15 minutes. Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate.

McCormick Gourmet Greek Souvlaki Seasoning is a robust blend of onion, garlic, oregano and a touch of mint that adds authentic Greek flavor to chicken, lamb, seafood & vegetables.

Whether you're grilling, broiling, or even pan-frying, the key ingredient, lean chicken, is a protein powerhouse that's low in fat and high in essential nutrients. Chicken souvlaki's nutritional profile makes it an excellent choice for those looking to maintain a healthy diet.

Souvlaki are a popular fast food choice in Greece. Skewers of marinated meat are cooked over an open fire - it can be lamb, pork and chicken. The accompaniments are usually tomatoes, red onion and tzatziki wrapped in soft pitta bread. In some tavernas, they serve chips stuffed inside the pitta too.

Try my hummus, tahini sauce, chipotle sauce, cilantro lime dressing, pico de gallo, tomatillo salsa, or guacamole next!

Souvlaki in Ancient Greece

There is evidence of Souvlaki and meat skewer dishes existing for as far back as Ancient Greece. Excavations have found portable stone holding trays with indentations for positioning skewers over an open flame, that date as far back as the 17^th century BCE.

What spices are used in Greek food? Greek cuisine primarily uses oregano, mint, garlic, onion, dill, and bay leaf, along with the addition of basil, thyme, fennel seed, and parsley.

While the seasonings and protein are the same, the main difference is the cooking method. Chicken souvlaki is small, cubed pieces of marinated chicken that are skewered and grilled directly over a hot grill.

The trick for the perfect gyros comes to the spices. Along with the popular Greek oregano, thyme, out much loved paprika and mustard you add to the marinade a tiny bit of cinnamon and sumac. Sumac is a very popular Middle Eastern spice.

At first glance, souvlaki food might not seem like the healthiest food option. It's a popular Greek dish consisting of skewered and grilled meat, often served with pita bread and various sauces. But the truth is, when prepared and consumed in the right way, souvlaki can be a great addition to a healthy diet.

Which is healthier, gyro or souvlaki? ›

Which is healthier, souvlaki or gyro? Both souvlaki and gyro can be nutritious choices, depending on how they are prepared and served. Both are made with relatively lean meat cuts and grilled, making them a great lean protein source.

Today, the souvlaki in Greece commonly comprises pork or chicken (or a mix), chips, onion, tomato and sauce, usually tzatziki.

Greek Souvlaki Marinade.

It's a simple marinade with the perfect balance of flavors—lots of raw garlic along with spices like oregano, rosemary, and sweet paprika. The liquid in this souvlaki marinade is a combination of excellent extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, and dry white wine.

Souvlaki (Greek: σουβλάκι, souvláki, [suˈvlaci]; plural: σουβλάκια, souvlákia) is a Greek food made up of small pieces of meat and sometimes vegetables grilled on a skewer or spit.

Avoid unwrapping the whole thing at once, or holding the souvlaki sideways / upside down. Also it is considered bad tone to unwrap the whole thing on a plate and pick at it with your fork. If you order a wrap eat it with your hands, or not at all.

Tzatziki is a creamy cucumber yogurt dip (or sauce) made from simple ingredients including strained yogurt (or Greek yogurt), cucumbers, garlic, and sometimes fresh herbs such as dill or mint. Traditionally, it is made from strained sheep or goat's milk yogurt, but a full-fat Greek yogurt works just fine in this dip.

Here's how to tell the difference: Souvlaki is marinated pork, chicken, beef, or lamb grilled on a skewer. It's typically served on a skewer, but you can also eat it in a warm pita or over salad. Gyros are made with stacked meat (usually pork, but other meats are common) that has been cooked on a vertical rotisserie.

Souvlaki is a popular Greek dish consisting of small pieces of chicken, beef or lamb and sometimes vegetables that are grilled on a skewer. The word souvlaki has roots in the Greek word souvla, meaning skewer (souvlaki means small skewer).