Mediterranean Diet Chicken Souvlaki

Transport your taste buds to the sunny shores of the Mediterranean with this vibrant, flavor-packed Chicken Souvlaki recipe, perfectly tailored for the Mediterranean diet! Juicy cubes of boneless, skinless chicken breast are marinated in an irresistible blend of olive oil, tangy lemon juice, red wine vinegar, garlic, and fragrant herbs like oregano and thyme, then grilled to golden perfection on wooden skewers. The accompanying creamy cucumber yogurt sauce, made with fresh dill and zesty lemon, adds a refreshing contrast to the smoky, char-grilled chicken. Ready in under an hour, this healthy and satisfying dish is ideal for summer cookouts or a quick weeknight dinner. Serve with warm pita bread, a crisp Greek salad, or roasted veggies for a complete meal that brims with Mediterranean flair.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:40 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 0.25 cup olive oil
• 0.25 cup lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 4 cloves minced garlic
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 0.5 cucumber
• 1 tablespoon fresh dill
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 8 wooden skewers

Directions

Step 1

If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning.

Step 2

Cut the chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes and set aside.

Step 3

In a large bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup of olive oil, 1/4 cup of lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar, 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 teaspoons of dried oregano, 1 teaspoon of dried thyme, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper to create the marinade.

Step 4

Add the cubed chicken pieces to the marinade and toss to coat evenly. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, preferably 1-2 hours for best flavor.

Step 5

While the chicken is marinating, prepare the yogurt sauce. Peel and grate the cucumber, then place it in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out excess water.

Step 6

In a bowl, combine 1 cup of plain Greek yogurt, the grated cucumber, 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh dill, and 1 teaspoon of lemon zest. Mix well and season with a pinch of salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate until serving.

Step 7

Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.

Step 8

Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto the soaked skewers, leaving a small space between each piece for even cooking.

Step 9

Grill the chicken skewers for about 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and golden brown with slightly charred edges.

Step 10

Remove the skewers from the grill and let them rest for a few minutes.

Step 11

Serve the chicken souvlaki hot with the cucumber yogurt sauce on the side. Optionally, pair with a fresh salad or warm pita bread for a complete Mediterranean meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1179.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1866.4

Total Fat 85.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 18.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.5g
Cholesterol 602.8mg	0%
Sodium 3193.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 23.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 2.2g	0%
Total Sugars 11.5g
Protein 236.4g	0%

Vitamin D 6.8IU	0%
Calcium 418.0mg	0%
Iron 8.3mg	0%
Potassium 2377.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 42.6%

Protein: 52.3%

Carbs: 5.1%