Lucas Delgado
Chicken souvlaki is a traditional Greek dish that is popular as a summertime grill option. It is made with chicken that has been marinated in a combination of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, parsley, salt, and pepper, and then skewered and grilled. It is typically served with a variety of toppings such as vegetables, olives, feta cheese, and a drizzle of tzatziki sauce, all wrapped in a warm pita bread. The dish is known for its versatility, as it can also be served on its own or with rice and Greek salad. Chicken souvlaki is a delicious and easy-to-make meal that brings the flavours of Greece to your kitchen.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of dish | Street food, appetizer, or main course |
| Cuisine | Greek |
| Main ingredient | Chicken |
| Other ingredients | Tzatziki sauce, vegetables (tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, bell peppers, parsley, pickled green chili peppers), lemon, olive oil, garlic, oregano, rosemary, paprika, salt, pepper, bay leaves, wine, etc. |
| Calories | 447 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 9g |
| Protein | 28g |
| Fat | 34g |
| Preparation | Chicken is marinated in a mixture of olive oil, garlic, oregano, rosemary, paprika, salt, pepper, lemon juice, and wine, then grilled on skewers |
| Serving suggestions | Served on a warm pita with toppings such as olives, feta, tomato, and cucumber, and a generous amount of tzatziki sauce. Can also be served with rice, Greek salad, watermelon salad, or fries. |
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What You'll Learn
Chicken souvlaki is a Greek dish
The word "souvlaki" means "meat on a skewer", and the dish is typically prepared by grilling small pieces of meat and sometimes vegetables on a skewer. In the context of chicken souvlaki, the chicken is marinated in a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, and sometimes mustard. This marinade tenderizes the meat and adds a zesty flavour. The chicken can be skewered and grilled, or the marinade can be used without skewers by pan-frying or baking the chicken.
Chicken souvlaki is typically served with a variety of fresh vegetables, such as tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, and shredded cabbage, and often with a Greek salad on the side. It is commonly wrapped in a warm pita bread wrap, along with a creamy tzatziki sauce, which is made with yoghurt and typically includes cucumber and garlic.
In some areas, when chicken is used instead of pork, tzatziki and onions may be replaced with a special yellow mustard sauce and lettuce. Other sauces and garnishes include ktipiti, Russian salad, and melitzanosalata. In Corfu, a special tomato sauce called "red sauce" is added to souvlaki.
Chicken souvlaki is a delicious and easy dish to prepare, perfect for summertime grilling and barbecues. It is a versatile dish that can be served with pita bread, rice, couscous, or fries, and enjoyed by people of all ages.
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It's made with chicken, obviously
Chicken souvlaki is a Greek dish, and the word "souvlaki" comes from the Greek "souvla", meaning "skewer". While the dish can be made with other meats, such as lamb or pork, chicken souvlaki is a very popular option. In fact, in some areas chicken has replaced pork as the standard meat for souvlaki. This may be because chicken is cheaper and more readily available than pork, or because it is a leaner meat with less fat.
Chicken souvlaki is typically served on a skewer, grilled, and often wrapped in a pita bread with tzatziki sauce and fresh vegetables. It can be served as a wrap or as a pita pocket, and is often accompanied by a Greek salad or fries. It's a popular street food in Greece, and is also commonly made at home.
While chicken souvlaki is a Greek dish, it has become popular around the world, and you'll now find it on restaurant and street food menus everywhere from the US to Hungary. It's a simple, tasty, and healthy dish that's easy to make at home, and it's no wonder it's so popular.
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The chicken is grilled on a skewer
Chicken souvlaki is a Greek dish that consists of small pieces of chicken grilled on a skewer. The word "souvlaki" is derived from the Medieval Greek "souvla", which means "skewer". In Cyprus, souvlaki can refer to both the small chunks of meat on a skewer and the dish itself.
The chicken is typically marinated before grilling. A common marinade includes garlic, oregano, rosemary, paprika, olive oil, lemon juice, and white wine. The chicken can be left to marinate for as little as 30 minutes or up to a few hours, or even overnight if refrigerated.
Once the chicken has been grilled, it is typically served on a skewer, often with warm pita bread and a variety of sauces and vegetables. Tzatziki, a Greek sauce made from yogurt, cucumber, and garlic, is a popular choice and is considered a must by some. Other common sauces and garnishes include mustard, ktipiti, Russian salad, and melitzanosalata. In Corfu, a special tomato sauce called "red sauce" is added to souvlaki.
In addition to the sauces, souvlaki is often served with vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, parsley, and shredded cabbage. Fried potatoes are also a typical side dish. Cut lemons are always included with souvlaki, as they are with all grilled meats in Cyprus.
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It's served with tzatziki sauce
Chicken souvlaki is a traditional Greek dish of marinated grilled meat, typically served with vegetables, pita bread, and tzatziki sauce. The tzatziki sauce is a key component of this dish, adding a cooling, creamy element that complements the grilled chicken and vegetables.
Tzatziki is a Greek sauce made primarily from strained yoghurt and grated cucumber. To make tzatziki, the cucumber is first peeled, deseeded, and grated. It is then seasoned with salt and pepper and left to sit for about 10 minutes. The excess water is then removed by wrapping the cucumber in a towel and squeezing. This step is important to ensure the tzatziki has the right consistency and is not too watery. The cucumber is then combined with yoghurt and other ingredients such as olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper, and blended until smooth.
For chicken souvlaki, the tzatziki sauce is typically served on warm pita bread, with the grilled chicken pieces added on top. Vegetables such as sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and Kalamata olives are also added, along with a handful of fries. The chicken souvlaki pita is then wrapped and served.
The tzatziki sauce can also be served as a dip on the side, or drizzled over the chicken and vegetables. It adds a refreshing, tangy flavour to the dish and is an essential part of the traditional Greek souvlaki experience.
While chicken souvlaki is typically served with tzatziki, in some regions, such as Corfu, it may be served with a special tomato sauce, or "red sauce". In other areas, when chicken is used instead of the more traditional pork, a mustard sauce may be served instead of tzatziki.
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Other ingredients include pita, veggies, and spices
Chicken souvlaki is a traditional Greek dish that is often served as street food. The dish consists of meat grilled on a skewer, which is typically served with warm pita bread, veggies, and spices. While the meat used in chicken souvlaki is chicken, the dish can also be made with other types of meat such as lamb or pork.
Pita bread is an essential component of chicken souvlaki. The pita bread is typically grilled or pan-fried just before serving, and it is often served warm. The pita bread is used to wrap the grilled meat and vegetables, creating a delicious and convenient handheld meal.
Veggies commonly used in chicken souvlaki include fresh-cut vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and shredded white cabbage. These vegetables can be grilled or barbecued, adding a smoky flavour to the dish. Some people also include fried potatoes or a Greek salad as a side dish. Additionally, the vegetables can be skewered separately or added directly to the meat skewers.
Spices and seasonings play a crucial role in enhancing the flavour of chicken souvlaki. The meat is typically marinated in a blend of spices and liquids. A common marinade includes garlic, oregano, rosemary, paprika, olive oil, lemon juice, and white wine. This marinade infuses the chicken with flavour and tenderizes the meat. The marination process can vary from 30 minutes to a couple of hours or even overnight, depending on the desired intensity of flavour and texture.
Chicken souvlaki is often served with a variety of sauces, the most popular being tzatziki, a yogurt-based sauce with cucumbers and garlic. Tzatziki provides a cooling contrast to the spiced meat. Other sauces include mustard, ktipiti, Russian salad, and melitzanosalata. Cut lemons are always included, as they are a traditional accompaniment to grilled meats in Cyprus.
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Frequently asked questions
Chicken souvlaki is made of chicken.
Souvlaki is traditionally made with pork, but lamb and beef are also used.
Souvlaki means "meat on a skewer".
Chicken souvlaki is served with vegetables, tzatziki sauce, and pita bread.
Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes, but for no longer than a couple of hours.
