Description
Delicious and refreshing Greek Lemon Chicken Skewers marinated in a zesty blend of lemon, herbs, and spices, grilled to perfection, and served with a cool, creamy homemade Tzatziki sauce. Perfect for summer cookouts or a flavorful Mediterranean-inspired meal.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Marinade and Skewers
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic (grated or minced)
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
- Salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into approximately 1 inch cubes
For the Tzatziki Sauce
- 1 cup shredded English cucumber (or diced cucumber)
- 1 1/2 cups plain Greek yogurt (non-fat, 2%, or whole)
- Juice of half a lemon
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
- 1/2 teaspoon grated garlic (use 1 teaspoon for extra garlic flavor)
- Salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, whisk together lemon juice, red wine vinegar, olive oil, grated garlic, oregano, parsley, cumin, coriander, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Marinate the Chicken: Place the cubed chicken in a freezer bag, add the marinade, press out the air, seal the bag, and massage to coat the chicken evenly. Refrigerate and let marinate for at least 1 hour to absorb all the flavors.
- Preheat the Grill: Heat your grill to medium-high. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes beforehand to prevent burning during grilling.
- Thread Chicken onto Skewers: Carefully thread the marinated chicken cubes onto metal or soaked wooden skewers, spacing them evenly.
- Grill the Chicken: Oil the grill grates or grill pan to prevent sticking. Place the chicken skewers on the grill and cook for 3-4 minutes on one side, then flip and grill for another 3-4 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and juices run clear.
- Prepare the Tzatziki Sauce: Squeeze out excess liquid from the shredded cucumber using your hands or a clean towel. In a bowl, combine the cucumber, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, chopped dill, grated garlic, salt, and pepper. Stir well until smooth and evenly mixed.
- Adjust Seasoning and Chill: Taste the Tzatziki and adjust lemon juice, salt, and pepper to your preference. Refrigerate the sauce until ready to serve alongside the grilled chicken skewers.
Notes
- Soaking wooden skewers is important to prevent them from burning on the grill.
- Marinating the chicken for longer than 1 hour (up to 4 hours) will enhance the flavor further.
- For a richer Tzatziki, use whole milk Greek yogurt; for a lighter option, use non-fat yogurt.
- The cucumber must be drained well to avoid watery sauce.
- If you don't have a grill, you can cook the skewers under a broiler or on a grill pan over the stovetop.
