Description
Greek Lemon Chicken Skewers marinated in a zesty blend of lemon juice, red wine vinegar, garlic, and Mediterranean herbs, grilled to perfection and served with a refreshing homemade Tzatziki sauce made from Greek yogurt, cucumber, lemon, and dill. This vibrant dish offers tender, flavorful chicken with a cooling, creamy sauce perfect for a light and healthy meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Marinade and Chicken
- 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
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon ground coriander
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
Tzatziki Sauce
- 1 cup shredded English cucumber (or diced)
- 1½ cups plain Greek yogurt (non-fat, 2%, or whole)
- Juice of half a lemon
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
- ½ teaspoon grated garlic (or 1 teaspoon for extra garlicky flavor)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, combine lemon juice, red wine vinegar, olive oil, garlic, oregano, parsley, cumin, coriander, salt, and pepper to create a flavorful marinade.
- Marinate Chicken: Add the cubed chicken breasts to the marinade, tossing to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to overnight to enhance the flavors.
- Prepare Skewers and Preheat Grill: Preheat your grill or oven broiler. Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto skewers for even cooking.
- Grill the Chicken Skewers: Grill or broil the skewers for about 10–12 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and has slightly charred edges for added flavor.
- Drain Cucumber: Place the shredded cucumber in a fine mesh strainer or wrap it in a clean towel and squeeze out excess liquid to avoid watery sauce.
- Make Tzatziki Sauce: In a bowl, combine Greek yogurt, lemon juice, chopped dill, grated garlic, salt, and pepper. Stir in the drained cucumber to blend all ingredients well.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the Tzatziki sauce until ready to serve alongside the hot grilled chicken skewers for a refreshing complement.
Notes
- For best flavor, marinate chicken overnight if time allows.
- Use fresh lemon juice rather than bottled for brighter taste.
- If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes prior to grilling to prevent burning.
- The Tzatziki sauce can be made a day ahead and stored covered in the refrigerator.
- Adjust garlic quantity in the sauce to your preference for a milder or stronger garlic flavor.
- Serve with pita bread and a simple Greek salad for a complete meal.
