Greek Lemon Chicken Souvlaki with Light Tzatziki and Fresh Vegetables
How to make authentic Greek chicken souvlaki with creamy low-calorie tzatziki sauce in under an hour
Tender marinated chicken skewers with bright lemon, fragrant oregano, and garlic, served with a cool cucumber-yogurt tzatziki that delivers creaminess without excess calories.
Ingredients
Serves 4
- 500g chicken breast, cut into 2-inch cubes
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lemon, juiced and zested
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 200g non-fat Greek yogurt
- 1 cucumber, grated and squeezed dry
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
- 1/2 tsp garlic, minced
- 150g cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cucumber, sliced
Method
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Step 1: Combine olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, oregano, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper in a large bowl to create the marinade. Whisk until slightly emulsified.
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Step 2: Add cubed chicken to the marinade and toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes, or up to 2 hours for deeper flavor penetration.
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Step 3: While chicken marinates, make the tzatziki: combine Greek yogurt, grated cucumber (squeezed dry with clean hands), lemon juice, dill, and minced garlic. Season with salt and pepper. Stir until uniform. Chill until serving.
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Step 4: Thread marinated chicken onto metal or soaked wooden skewers, about 4-5 pieces per skewer, leaving small gaps between pieces for even cooking.
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Step 5: Heat a grill pan or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Cook skewers for 3-4 minutes per side, turning until charred grill marks appear and internal temperature reaches 75°C (165°F). Rest for 2 minutes.
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Step 6: Arrange sliced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, and red onion on a platter. Place chicken skewers on top or beside the vegetables.
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Step 7: Serve with tzatziki dolloped on top or on the side. Garnish with extra lemon wedges and a sprinkle of dried oregano.
Nutrition (per serving)
| Calories | 485 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 42 g |
| Carbohydrates | 18 g |
| Fat | 26 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
Tags & Keywords
- healthy greek recipes
- low calorie greek dinner
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- chicken-breast
- 40-minute weeknight dinner
- low-calorie
- low-calorie-recipes
- high-protein
- high-protein-recipes
- quick-dinner
- weeknight-dinner