Chicken Souvlaki with Tahini-Lemon Sauce

Name: Chicken Souvlaki with Tahini-Lemon Sauce
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 2 h 37 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: mediterranean
Ingredients: 600 g chicken breast (boneless, skinless, cut into 1-inch cubes); 3 tbsp olive oil; 3 tbsp lemon juice (freshly squeezed); 4 pcs garlic (cloves, minced); 2 tsp dried oregano; 1 pinch salt (for marinade); 1 pinch black pepper (freshly ground); 4 tbsp tahini; 3 tbsp water (cold, for sauce)

RATING

0.0/5

TASTE SCORE

9/10

Juicy, lemon-herb marinated chicken skewers grilled to perfection with a beautiful char. Paired with a creamy, nutty tahini-lemon sauce that cuts through the richness. This Greek street-food classic is perfect for warm-weather dinners and comes together with minimal effort.

PREP

25m

COOK

12m

SERVES

2 PIECES

440 cal

SERVINGS

INGREDIENTS

For 4 servings

600 gchicken breast · boneless, skinless, cut into 1-inch cubes3 tbspolive oil3 tbsplemon juice · freshly squeezed4 pcsgarlic · cloves, minced2 tspdried oregano1 pinchsalt · for marinade1 pinchblack pepper · freshly ground4 tbsptahini3 tbspwater · cold, for sauce

NUTRITION · PER SERVING

440

CALORIES · 2 PIECES

Protein49g · 45%

Carbs6g · 5%

Fat24g · 49%

Fiber2g

Sugar0g

Saturated fat4g

Cholesterol128mg

Sodium166mg

Potassium527mg

Phosphorus437mg

How we calculate →

METHOD · 7 STEPS

prep
Soak the bamboo skewers.
Place 8 bamboo skewers in a shallow dish and cover with water. Let them soak for at least 30 minutes. This prevents them from burning on the grill.
mix · ~2 min
Make the marinade.
1.In a large bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp olive oil, 3 tbsp lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper.
2.Stir until the mixture is well combined and slightly emulsified.
prep
Marinate the chicken.
Add the chicken cubes to the marinade and toss until every piece is evenly coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or up to 4 hours for deeper flavor.
TIPDon't marinate longer than 6 hours — the lemon juice will start to break down the chicken and make it mushy.
prep · ~5 min
Thread chicken onto skewers.
1.Remove the chicken from the refrigerator 15 minutes before cooking.
2.Thread 5-6 chicken pieces onto each soaked skewer, leaving a small gap between pieces for even cooking.
3.Discard any leftover marinade.
TIPDon't overcrowd the skewers — leaving space lets the heat circulate and helps the chicken char properly.
mix · ~3 min
Make the tahini-lemon sauce.
1.In a small bowl, combine 4 tbsp tahini, 2 tbsp lemon juice, and salt.
2.Slowly whisk in 3 tbsp cold water, one tablespoon at a time, until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
3.It will seize up at first, then loosen into a silky, pourable consistency.
TIPUse cold water — it helps the tahini emulsify into a smoother, creamier sauce.
grill · ~8 min
Grill the chicken skewers.
1.Preheat a grill pan or outdoor grill to medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grates.
2.Place the skewers on the grill and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, turning once, until nicely charred and cooked through.
3.The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C). Remove and let rest for 3 minutes.
TIPResist the urge to move the skewers too soon — let them sear undisturbed for a good char that releases naturally from the grill.
serve
Plate and serve with tahini sauce.
Arrange the skewers on a serving platter. Drizzle generously with the tahini-lemon sauce or serve it on the side for dipping.

PRO TIPS

What to keep in mind.

7 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.

1
Marinate the chicken for at least 2 hours, but no more than 4, so the lemon tenderizes without making the meat mushy.
2
Soak bamboo skewers for a full 30 minutes to prevent them from catching fire on the grill.
3
Thread chicken pieces with a small gap between them to allow even charring and heat circulation.
4
Let the skewers sear undisturbed for 3-4 minutes per side — moving them too early tears the crust.
5
Use cold water when making the tahini sauce; it helps the tahini emulsify into a silky, pourable consistency.
6
Rest the grilled skewers for 3 minutes before serving so the juices redistribute and the chicken stays moist.
7
For deeper flavor, toast the dried oregano lightly in a dry pan before adding it to the marinade.

RECIPE VARIATIONS

Adapt it for your goals.

high protein

High-protein

Substitute chicken thighs for breasts to increase juiciness and protein content — thighs have a higher fat ratio, which keeps them tender on the grill.

vegan

Vegan

Replace chicken with firm tofu or halloumi cheese (skip marinade for halloumi), and use the same tahini-lemon sauce for a plant-based or vegetarian main.

low oil