Description
Juicy chicken skewers marinated in lemon, garlic, and herbs, served with a cool, creamy homemade tzatziki sauce. This recipe is ready in under 30 minutes and works perfectly for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- ½ cup fresh lemon juice
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 2 cups full-fat plain Greek yogurt
- 1 large English cucumber, grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Wooden skewers (soaked in water) or metal skewers
- Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Grate the cucumber and sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Let sit for 5 minutes, then squeeze tightly in cheesecloth or a clean kitchen towel to remove excess moisture.
- In a small bowl, combine the squeezed cucumber, Greek yogurt, minced garlic, chopped dill, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and ½ teaspoon salt. Stir well, cover, and refrigerate.
- In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, ½ cup lemon juice, minced garlic, oregano, thyme, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
- Add chicken cubes to the marinade and toss to coat. Cover and marinate for 30 minutes to 4 hours.
- Thread chicken onto skewers, leaving small gaps between cubes. If using wooden skewers, ensure they have been soaked in water for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat and lightly oil the grates.
- Grill skewers for 3-4 minutes per side, rotating occasionally, until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Serve immediately with the chilled tzatziki sauce and lemon wedges.
Notes
Ensure the cucumber is thoroughly squeezed to prevent watery tzatziki. Do not overcrowd skewers to allow for proper charring. Chicken can be cooked in a grill pan, under a broiler, or in an air fryer if a grill is not available.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 skewers per servin
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 35
Keywords: chicken skewers, tzatziki, grilled chicken, mediterranean recipe, easy dinner, healthy chicken, summer grilling, weeknight meals