Zesty Greek Lemon Chicken Skewers with Tzatziki Sauce Recipe

Mediterranean summers burst with vibrant flavors in these delectable greek lemon chicken skewers that transport you straight to a sunny coastal paradise.

Zesty marinade infuses each tender morsel with bright citrus and aromatic herbs.

Juicy chicken pieces dance with tangy notes, promising a mouthwatering experience.

Crisp grilled edges seal in robust flavors that sing of greek culinary traditions.

Succulent meat pairs perfectly with cool, creamy tzatziki, creating a balanced harmony of textures.

Charred edges provide a delightful contrast to the refreshing sauce beneath.

You’ll savor every single bite of this simple yet spectacular dish that celebrates fresh ingredients and classic techniques.

Grab your skewers and let the culinary adventure begin!

Why These Chicken Skewers Are Packed with Flavor

• Marinate chicken ahead of time, making dinner preparation a breeze with minimal last-minute cooking stress.
• Tangy lemon, aromatic herbs, and creamy tzatziki combine to create a mouthwatering dish that appeals to both adults and kids.
• Lean protein, fresh ingredients, and light cooking method make this recipe a nutritious choice for those watching their diet.

What You’ll Need for Lemon Chicken Skewers

• Chicken: Lean meat that absorbs marinade flavors and provides main protein for the dish.

Notes: Choose boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs for tender skewers.

• Lemon Juice, Red Wine Vinegar: Acidic components that tenderize chicken and add bright, tangy flavor.
• Olive Oil: Helps distribute marinade and keeps chicken moist during grilling.
• Garlic: Adds robust, aromatic flavor to the marinade.
• Dried Oregano, Dried Parsley, Ground Cumin, Ground Coriander: Signature Greek-style herbs and spices that provide complex seasoning.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance overall taste.

• Cucumber: Fresh vegetable that provides cool, crisp texture to sauce.
• Greek Yogurt: Creamy base that gives tzatziki its signature thickness.
• Dill, Lemon Juice, Garlic: Additional flavor enhancers for tzatziki sauce.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Seasonings to balance tzatziki's flavor profile.

• Wooden Skewers: Helps form chicken into manageable grilling pieces.

Note: Soak wooden skewers in water to prevent burning during grilling.

How to Grill Chicken Skewers with Tzatziki

Step 1: Whip Up the Flavor Bath

• Fresh lemon juice
• Red wine vinegar
• Olive oil
• Crushed garlic
• Dried oregano
• Dried parsley
• Ground cumin
• Ground coriander
• Salt
• Black pepper

Pour the mixture over chicken cubes and let them soak in the refrigerator for an hour.

Step 2: Craft the Cool Cucumber Sauce

• Drained cucumber
• Thick Greek yogurt
• Fresh lemon juice
• Chopped dill
• Grated garlic
• Salt
• Black pepper

Chill the sauce until serving time.

Step 3: Skewer and Sizzle

Soak wooden skewers in water to prevent burning. Thread marinated chicken onto skewers. Fire up the grill to medium-high heat and lightly oil the grates. Grill chicken for 3-4 minutes per side until fully cooked and internal temperature hits 165°F.

Step 4: Plate and Enjoy

Let skewers rest briefly after grilling. Serve hot skewers alongside the cool, creamy cucumber sauce. Watch everyone dig in with excitement!

Pro Tips for Better Chicken Skewers

• Maximize Marinade Magic: Letting chicken soak in the zesty lemon and herb mixture for the full 3 hours intensifies flavor depth and tenderizes the meat perfectly.
• Squeeze Cucumber Secrets: Remove maximum moisture from cucumber before mixing tzatziki to prevent watery sauce and ensure a thick, creamy texture that clings beautifully to the skewers.
• Prevent Skewer Scorching: Soaking wooden skewers in water stops them from burning on the grill, protecting your delicious chicken and maintaining a clean cooking surface.
• Control Grill Temperature: Maintain medium-high heat to achieve beautiful char marks without drying out the chicken, ensuring juicy, perfectly cooked protein every time.
• Resting Ritual: Allow grilled skewers to rest for a few minutes after cooking, which helps redistribute juices and keeps the meat incredibly tender and succulent.

Store and Reheat Chicken Skewers the Right Way

• Store leftover chicken skewers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Separate the chicken from the tzatziki sauce to maintain quality.
• Warm skewers gently in the microwave for 30-45 seconds or in a preheated oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes to prevent drying out. Avoid overheating to keep the meat tender.
• Pack cooled skewers in freezer-safe containers or bags, removing excess air. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Keep tzatziki sauce separately in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Consume within 2-3 days for best taste and texture.

Great Pairings for Greek Lemon Chicken

• Crisp Assyrtiko white wine perfectly complements the lemon chicken's bright, zesty flavors and cuts through the rich tzatziki sauce with its mineral undertones.
• Refreshing Greek salad with cucumber, tomatoes, feta, and kalamata olives offers a vibrant, crunchy contrast to the grilled chicken skewers, balancing the meal's textures.
• Mint-infused iced tea provides a cooling, aromatic companion that echoes the herb notes in the dill tzatziki and chicken marinade, creating a harmonious drinking experience.
• Warm pita or traditional Greek flatbread helps soak up the delicious tzatziki sauce and provides a hearty element to the light, grilled chicken skewers, completing the Mediterranean dining experience.

Chicken Skewers: Flavor Ideas to Try

• Veggie-Friendly Alternative: Replace chicken with firm tofu or tempeh, marinating in the same Greek-inspired blend for a plant-based protein option.
• Gluten-Free Version: Ensure all marinade ingredients are certified gluten-free and use tamari instead of traditional soy sauce if needed.
• Low-Carb Mediterranean Adaptation: Skip wooden skewers and grill chicken pieces directly on a grill pan, maintaining the authentic Greek flavor profile while reducing carbohydrate intake.
• Spicy Mediterranean Kick: Add red pepper flakes or cayenne to the marinade for those wanting a more intense, heat-packed version of the traditional Greek chicken skewers.

Questions About Lemon Chicken Skewers

• What makes the marinade so flavorful?

The combination of lemon juice, red wine vinegar, olive oil, and a blend of spices like oregano, cumin, and coriander creates a complex, tangy flavor profile that deeply penetrates the chicken, infusing it with classic Greek Mediterranean tastes.

• Can I use chicken breast instead of cubed chicken?

Yes, you can use chicken breast cut into uniform cubes. Just ensure the pieces are similar in size for even cooking and marinate them exactly the same way to maintain the recipe’s authentic flavor.

• Is tzatziki sauce always made with cucumber?

Traditional tzatziki always includes cucumber, which provides a cool, refreshing texture and helps balance the garlic and yogurt’s strong flavors. Squeezing out excess moisture ensures the sauce remains thick and creamy.

• How do I know the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165F (74C). This guarantees the chicken is safely cooked through and remains juicy, preventing any risk of foodborne illness.

Greek Lemon Chicken Skewers with Tzatziki Sauce Recipe

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4.9 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 53 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Sizzling Greek lemon chicken skewers dance with zesty Mediterranean flavors, promising a culinary journey through Greece’s sun-kissed landscapes. Marinated chicken, grilled to perfection and paired with cool tzatziki sauce, invites you to savor summer’s most delightful dinner experience.

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Ingredients

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Proteins:

• 1 ½ pounds (680 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 ½ cups (360 milliliters) plain greek yogurt

Herbs and Spices:

• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon dried parsley
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill

Additional Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ teaspoon grated garlic
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) shredded english cucumber
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Juice of half a lemon

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Instructions

1. Craft a zesty marinade by whisking together tangy lemon juice, robust red wine vinegar, fruity olive oil, aromatic garlic, earthy oregano, fragrant parsley, warm cumin, bright coriander, salt, and peppery black pepper in a spacious mixing bowl.
2. Immerse chicken cubes completely in the vibrant marinade, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated. Seal and refrigerate for a minimum of 60 minutes, allowing flavors to penetrate deeply, with a maximum marination time of three hours for maximum taste intensity.
3. Prepare the creamy tzatziki by extracting maximum moisture from freshly shredded cucumber using a clean kitchen towel, applying firm pressure to eliminate excess liquid.
4. Blend the drained cucumber with velvety Greek yogurt, bright lemon juice, delicate chopped dill, pungent grated garlic, and season with salt and black pepper. Thoroughly incorporate ingredients and chill until serving.
5. Submerge wooden skewers in water for a minimum of 30 minutes to prevent charring during grilling.
6. Carefully thread marinated chicken pieces onto pre-soaked skewers, ensuring even distribution.
7. Heat grill to medium-high temperature and lightly oil grates to prevent sticking and promote beautiful grill marks.
8. Cook skewers approximately 3-4 minutes per side, rotating carefully to achieve uniform golden-brown exterior and ensure internal temperature reaches 165F (74C).
9. Allow grilled skewers to rest briefly, enabling juices to redistribute throughout the meat.
10. Present warm, succulent chicken skewers alongside chilled, creamy tzatziki sauce for a perfect Mediterranean-inspired dining experience.

Notes

• Maximize flavor by marinating chicken longer, up to 8 hours, for deeper Mediterranean taste infusion.
• Blot cucumber thoroughly to prevent watery tzatziki, ensuring a thick and creamy sauce consistency.
• Use metal skewers for even heat distribution and quicker grilling if wooden skewers aren’t available.
• Opt for boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of breasts for juicier, more tender meat that won’t dry out easily.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 23 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: Greek

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg