This Greek Chicken Souvlaki recipe is more than just a meal; it’s a culinary journey through the rich and vibrant flavours of Greek cuisine.
Marinating the Chicken
Begin by cutting the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces. Marinate them in a fragrant mix of oregano, minced garlic, and fresh lemon juice. As the chicken soaks up these aromatic flavours, it becomes tender and infused with zest, ready to take centre stage on the grill.
Chicken thighs soaking up the fragrant blend of oregano, garlic, and lemon juice, ready to be grilled to perfection.
Preparing the Homemade Pita Bread
While the chicken is marinating, turn your attention to making the homemade pita bread. Start by mixing lukewarm water, yeast, and sugar, and let the yeast activate and froth. Combine this yeast mixture with flour and salt to form a dough. Knead the dough until it's smooth and elastic, then set it aside to rise.
The dough has beautifully risen, doubling in size and now ready for the next step in making homemade pita bread.
Once the dough has risen, divide it into eight equal portions and roll each portion into a ball.
The risen dough has been divided into eight equal parts, ready for shaping into pita bread.
Flatten each ball into a circle and let them rest.
The dough is being rolled out with a rolling pin to form circles for pita bread.
Then cook them on a hot pan, or as I prefer, directly on a Cusimax Hot Plate.
Pita bread is cooking on a Cusimax hot plate, puffing up and developing a golden-brown surface.
Watching each pita puff up and bubble is a rewarding sign of successful homemade baking.
A pita bread has perfectly puffed up on the hot plate, showing a beautifully golden-brown surface.
Making the Tzatziki
While you're waiting for the dough to rise, prepare the tzatziki. Blend together creamy yoghurt, grated cucumber, and minced garlic for a refreshing and cool dip. This tzatziki offers a delightful contrast to the warm, spiced chicken and adds a layer of richness to the meal.
Ingredients for tzatziki, including yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, and dill, are being mixed together in a bowl.
Cooking the French Fries
For the French fries, slice the potatoes into wedges and toss them with oregano, lemon zest, and dill. Air fry them until they are golden and crispy. These fries provide a zesty crunch that complements the savoury souvlaki beautifully and adds a satisfying side to the dish.
French fries are being placed into the air fryer, ready for cooking.
Grilling the Chicken
Once the chicken has marinated, thread the pieces onto skewers and cook them on the grill until they are golden brown and cooked through. The grilling process creates a delicious char that enhances the flavours of the souvlaki.
Chicken skewers are grilling to perfection, with a golden-brown exterior and deliciously charred edges.
Preparing the Fresh Tomatoes
Lastly, slice the heirloom tomatoes and drizzle them with olive oil. Sprinkle with a touch of salt and oregano to enhance their natural sweetness and create a fresh, flavourful component for your meal.
Heirloom tomatoes have been sliced and are ready to be seasoned with olive oil and spices.
Each step of this Greek Chicken Souvlaki recipe, from marinating and grilling the souvlaki to baking the pita and preparing the sides, brings you closer to a truly authentic Greek feast. This recipe skilfully blends effort and enjoyment, resulting in a meal that is as delightful to prepare as it is to savour.
Indulge in homemade Greek Chicken Souvlaki with this flavourful recipe! Tender chicken thighs are marinated with lemon, garlic, and oregano, then grilled to perfection.
Served with freshly made pita bread, creamy tzatziki, crispy French fries, and ripe heirloom tomatoes for a complete Mediterranean feast. Enjoy every bite of this delicious, vibrant dish! 😊
Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized cubes. Season with salt, pepper, oregano, and minced garlic, then add olive oil, lemon juice, and bay leaves. Mix well to coat the chicken evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour, or overnight for best results.
For the best flavour, marinate the chicken overnight.
For the pita:
Combine lukewarm water, sugar, and yeast in a glass. Mix and let the yeast activate for 10 minutes. In a large bowl, combine flour and salt, then add the yeast mixture. Mix initially with a spoon, then use your hands to knead until the dough is smooth and elastic (a stand mixer can be used for convenience). Cover and let the dough rise in a warm place for 1 hour.
Transfer the dough to a floured working surface, give it a light knead, and roll it into a ball. Divide the dough into 8 equal parts, rolling each piece into a ball.
Use a rolling pin to flatten each ball into a circle. Cover with a clean towel and let them rise for about 20 minutes.
Place the pita on a Cusimax hot plate or well preheated pan.
Once bubbles form, flip to cook the other side.
Use a hot plate or skillet if you don't have a Cusimax hot plate. Ensure it’s preheated for the best results.
For the tzatziki:
Mix all ingredients together and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.
Adjust garlic and dill to taste.
For the French fries:
Slice the potatoes into wedges and rinse them in ice-cold water. Drain well, then toss with salt, pepper, oregano, and olive oil. Air fry at 220°C (428°F) for 20 minutes.. Once cooked, sprinkle with lemon zest and dill.
Soak potato wedges in cold water before air frying to enhance crispiness.
For the Souvlaki 6. Thread the chicken pieces onto wooden skewers and grill until golden and cooked through.
For the tomatoes:
Slice the tomatoes, sprinkle with salt and oregano, and drizzle with olive oil.
Serve and enjoy this delicious Chicken Souvlaki! 😊
Complement the meal with a Greek salad or extra tzatziki for a complete experience.
