Greek Souvlaki

A Mediterranean Flavor Explosion

 

Hello and welcome to The Small Town Chef! Looking for a delicious and simple way to cook up chicken? Then try Greek Souvlaki – a popular street food that's all about bold flavor.

Imagine walking the streets of Athens, enjoying tender pieces of grilled, marinated meat, wrapped in warm pita bread, and topped with creamy tzatziki sauce. Yep, that's Souvlaki!

 

The Marinade: A Savory Symphony of Flavor

 
The secret behind Souvlaki's irresistible taste is the marinade. It's all about combining simple, flavorful ingredients—olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, and paprika. Marinade your meat for a minimum of 30 minutes, but for maximum flavor, aim for 2-4 hours.

 

 

Preparing the Tzatziki and Sides

 
Combine Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, dill, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Mix well and refrigerate until ready to serve. This creamy sauce is perfect with Souvlaki!

And let's not forget about the accompaniments! Serve your Souvlaki with slices of fresh tomato, crunchy cucumber, and zesty red onion. These add freshness and color to every bite.

 

Choosing the Protein

 
When it comes to Souvlaki, the options are endless. You can go traditional with chicken or pork, or mix it up with lamb or even shrimp*. Each brings its own unique flavor, but one thing's for sure – they all taste incredible when marinated to perfection!

 

*If using shrimp, marinate for 30-45 minutes. Any longer and the shrimp will cook because of the acid (lemon juice) in the marinade.

 

Serving Up Souvlaki

 
Souvlaki is typically served hot off the grill, skewered and piled high on a plate. Wrap it in warm pita, add a generous dollop of tzatziki sauce, and top with fresh veggies, and you've got yourself a feast! Go the extra mile and serve with golden, crispy french fries for a touch of Greek authenticity.

 

 

Recipe: Greek Chicken Souvlaki with Tzatziki

 

Ingredients: 

 

• 1.5 lbs chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
• Wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes
• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice (usually 1 small lemon)
  
• 8 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp dried Greek oregano
• 1 tsp paprika
• Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Tzatziki:

• 1 cup Greek yogurt
• 1 cucumber, grated and squeezed dry (we use a clean, cloth dinner napkin)
  
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice (or more, according to taste)
  
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper to create the marinade. We like to blend with an immersion blender until well combined.

2. Add the chicken pieces to the marinade, ensuring they are well coated. Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes, up to 2-4 hours for maximum flavor.

3. While the chicken is marinating, prepare the tzatziki sauce by combining Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, dill, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Mix well and refrigerate until ready to serve.

4. Preheat your grill or flat-top to medium-high heat. Thread the marinated chicken onto the skewers, leaving a little space between each piece.

5. Grill the chicken skewers for 5-7 minutes per side, or until cooked through and slightly charred.

6. Once the chicken is cooked, remove from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes.

7. Serve the chicken souvlaki, accompanied by warm pita bread, tzatziki sauce, fresh tomato slices, cucumber slices, and red onion. Enjoy!

So there you have it – a taste of Greece right in your own backyard! With its vibrant flavors and simple preparation, Greek Souvlaki is sure to become a favorite at your table.

 

As always, reach out to The Small Town Chef with any questions or comments. We look forward to hearing from you.

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