Description
Greek Lemon Chicken Skewers marinated in a zesty blend of lemon juice, garlic, and herbs, grilled to perfection and served with a refreshing homemade tzatziki sauce featuring Greek yogurt, cucumber, and fresh dill. This Mediterranean-inspired dish is perfect for a healthy, flavorful meal.
Ingredients
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
- 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
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, dried oregano, dried parsley, ground cumin, ground coriander, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken cubes into a freezer bag with the marinade. Press out excess air and seal the bag. Massage the marinade into the chicken pieces ensuring they are fully coated. Refrigerate and let it marinate for at least 1 hour.
- Preheat the Grill: Heat your grill to medium-high heat. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes prior to prevent burning.
- Assemble Skewers: Thread marinated chicken pieces onto metal or soaked wooden skewers evenly.
- Grill the Chicken: Oil the grill grates or a grill pan to prevent sticking. Place the skewers on the grill and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, flipping carefully, until chicken is cooked through and has nice grill marks.
- Prepare the Tzatziki Sauce: Using your hands or a clean towel, squeeze the shredded cucumber to remove excess moisture to avoid a watery sauce.
- Mix Tzatziki Ingredients: In a bowl, combine the drained cucumber with Greek yogurt, lemon juice, chopped fresh dill, grated garlic, salt, and pepper. Stir thoroughly until well combined. Adjust seasoning with additional lemon juice or salt as needed.
- Serve: Refrigerate the tzatziki sauce until ready to serve alongside the grilled chicken skewers for a fresh and flavorful meal.
Notes
- For best flavor, marinate the chicken for up to 4 hours, but not longer as the lemon juice can start to cook the meat.
- If using wooden skewers, soaking them prevents burning on the grill.
- To keep tzatziki thick and creamy, be sure to squeeze out as much liquid as possible from the cucumber before mixing.
- Leftover tzatziki can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Serve skewers with warm pita bread or a side salad for a complete meal.
