Discover the secret to making juicy, zesty, and mouthwateringly delicious Greek Lemon Chicken Skewers at home. Infused with bold Mediterranean flavors, these tender grilled chicken bites are marinated in a vibrant blend of olive oil, fresh lemon juice, garlic, and herbs—then grilled to perfection.
Ready in just 30 minutes, this easy Greek chicken recipe is your passport to a flavorful, protein-packed dish that feels like a vacation on a plate. Whether you’re firing up the grill or using a stovetop pan, these Greek chicken skewers are perfect for weeknight dinners, summer BBQs, or meal prep lunches.
Ever dreamed of taking a sun-kissed escape to a charming Greek island—where the scent of sizzling grilled meats dances through the air and every bite bursts with Mediterranean flavor?
Well, get ready to bring that dream to your kitchen with my all-time favorite: Greek Lemon Chicken Skewers.
These aren’t just your average grilled chicken bites. Each piece is marinated to perfection in a vibrant mix of lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, and herbs. The result? Juicy, zesty skewers that are golden on the outside and melt-in-your-mouth tender inside.
Pair them with a dollop of homemade tzatziki and suddenly, you’ve got a full Greek feast—minus the plane ticket.
Craving a quick Mediterranean getaway? This 30-minute Greek chicken recipe is your ticket. So roll up your sleeves and let’s dive into a fresh, flavorful, and totally irresistible culinary adventure.
Watch the quick video tutorial below to see how simple it is to make the best Greek lemon chicken skewers at home!
- 1 Reasons You’ll Love These Greek Lemon Chicken Skewers
- 2 Ingredients Needed for Greek Lemon Chicken Skewers
- 3 How To Make Greek Lemon Chicken Skewers
- 4 Tips For Making The Best Greek Lemon Chicken Skewers
- 5 Recipe Variations for Greek Lemon Chicken Skewers
- 6 How To Store
- 7 How to Serve
- 8 Frequently Asked Questions
- 9 More Chicken Recipes
- 10 Greek Lemon Chicken Skewers
Reasons You’ll Love These Greek Lemon Chicken Skewers
- Quick & Easy: Ready in under 30 minutes, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute dinner plans. Minimal prep, maximum flavor.
- Meal Prep Friendly: Marinate ahead of time and store in the fridge—just cook when you’re ready for a fast and flavorful meal.
- Bold, Authentic Flavors: Bursting with zesty lemon, garlic, and classic Greek herbs like oregano and thyme. One bite and you’re transported to a seaside taverna in Greece.
- Naturally Low-Carb & Keto-Friendly: With just 1g net carbs per serving, these chicken skewers are perfect for anyone following a keto, paleo, or gluten-free lifestyle.
- Ultra Customizable: Add veggies like bell peppers, zucchini, or cherry tomatoes to the skewers, or experiment with fresh herbs like rosemary or mint for a twist.
- No Fancy Ingredients: All pantry staples—lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and herbs. No hard-to-find items, just everyday ingredients with extraordinary results.
- Grill, Oven, or Stovetop: Whether it’s BBQ season or not, you can easily cook these skewers on a grill, in the oven, or in a stovetop grill pan.
- Perfect for Entertaining: Crowd-pleasing and colorful, these chicken skewers are ideal for BBQs, family gatherings, potlucks, or summer dinner parties.
- Great with Sides: Serve with fresh tzatziki, a Greek salad, roasted vegetables, or cauliflower rice for a complete and healthy Mediterranean meal.
- Family-Approved: Even picky eaters love the tender, flavorful bites. Make a double batch—they’ll disappear fast!
Ingredients Needed for Greek Lemon Chicken Skewers
These grilled chicken skewers are made with simple, wholesome ingredients you probably already have in your pantry or fridge. Here’s what you’ll need to create this flavorful, low-carb Greek dish:
- Lemon Juice – Freshly squeezed lemon juice infuses the chicken with a bright, zesty flavor and helps tenderize the meat, keeping it juicy and flavorful.
- Lemon Zest – Don’t skip the zest! It adds a burst of concentrated citrus aroma that takes the marinade to the next level.
- Chicken Breast – Boneless, skinless chicken breasts work perfectly, but you can also use chicken thighs if you prefer a juicier, more tender bite.
- Olive Oil – High-quality extra virgin olive oil adds richness and helps seal in moisture while the chicken cooks, ensuring every bite is juicy and satisfying.
- Garlic – Use freshly minced garlic for bold, aromatic flavor that brings the marinade to life.
- Dried Oregano – A must-have herb in Greek cuisine, oregano delivers a savory, earthy depth that complements the citrus perfectly.
- Dried Parsley – Adds a gentle herbal note that enhances the overall flavor profile without overpowering.
- Paprika – Adds subtle warmth and color. Use smoked paprika for a deeper flavor if you like a hint of smokiness.
- Salt & Pepper – Essential for balancing and enhancing all the other flavors. Season to taste.
How To Make Greek Lemon Chicken Skewers
One of the best things about these Greek lemon chicken skewers is just how quick and easy they are to prepare—no special cooking skills required! Follow these simple steps to enjoy a restaurant-quality meal at home in under 30 minutes.
Whip Up the Marinade
Mix it Up: In a large bowl, toss in the olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, paprika, dried oregano, dried parsley, and minced garlic. Add some salt and pepper for taste. Now, give it a good whisk until everything blends nicely.
Get That Chicken Marinated
Prep the Chicken: Using a sharp knife cut the chicken breasts into 1-inch pieces. This step not only ensures even cooking but also facilitates the absorption of the rich marinade flavors.
Chicken Dive: Put the chicken pieces into the marinade, making sure each one gets coated well. Stir it up well!
Chill Time: Cover the bowl with some plastic wrap and put it in the fridge. Let the chicken chill and soak in all those flavors for about 30 minutes. If you’re short on time, it’s okay to move to the next step sooner.
Grill Time
Heat Things Up: Get your grill warmed up to medium-high heat.
On the Skewers: Slide the marinated chicken pieces onto wooden skewers. They’re about to get grilled!
Sizzle and Flip: Place the skewers on the grill. Let them cook for around 4 minutes on each side. You want them to have a nice color and be cooked all the way through.
Final Touch: Once the grilled chicken skewers are done, sprinkle some freshly chopped parsley on top. Now, they’re ready to serve and enjoy!
Tips For Making The Best Greek Lemon Chicken Skewers
- Cut the chicken into even-sized pieces — about 1-inch cubes. This ensures uniform cooking, preventing some pieces from being undercooked while others are dry.
- Use high-quality, fresh ingredients. Opt for freshly squeezed lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, and fragrant dried herbs like oregano and parsley. They elevate the flavor and bring out the authentic Greek taste.
- Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 20–30 minutes before grilling. This prevents them from burning on the grill.
- Don’t overcrowd the skewers. Leave small gaps between chicken pieces to allow even cooking and better caramelization on all sides.
- Marinate the chicken for a minimum of 30 minutes to let the flavors penetrate deeply. If you have extra time, let it marinate longer for even more flavor.
- Grill over medium-high heat for a beautiful golden sear while keeping the chicken juicy and tender.
- Flip the skewers just once or twice to get a nice char without tearing or drying out the meat.
- Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute and keeps the chicken moist.
- Add a finishing touch with a drizzle of fresh lemon juice and a sprinkle of chopped parsley or crumbled feta cheese for brightness and extra flavor.
Recipe Variations for Greek Lemon Chicken Skewers
These Greek chicken skewers are incredibly flavorful on their own, but you can easily customize the recipe to suit your taste or elevate the dish with extra ingredients. Here are some delicious ways to switch things up:
- Add red onion slices: Thread thinly sliced red onion between the chicken pieces on the skewers. They caramelize beautifully and add a subtle sweetness that pairs perfectly with the zesty lemon flavor.
- Include colorful vegetables: Boost both nutrition and flavor by adding low-carb vegetables like bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, or zucchini slices. They grill beautifully and soak up the marinade for added depth.
- Use fresh herbs: Swap dried oregano and parsley with fresh chopped herbs for a more vibrant and aromatic flavor. Fresh dill, thyme, or rosemary would also be excellent additions.
- Add Kalamata olives: For an authentic Mediterranean touch, thread pitted Kalamata olives onto the skewers alongside the chicken for a briny, savory contrast.
- Top with crumbled feta cheese: After grilling, sprinkle the skewers with crumbled feta cheese for a creamy, salty finish that complements the lemon-garlic marinade.
How To Store
- Fridge: Once they are cooled completely, transfer the cooked chicken skewers to an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Place any leftovers in a freezer-safe container and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months.
How to Serve
Even if they are great on their own, you can create a complete meal by pairing these Greek Skewers with many side dishes. Here are some interesting ideas:
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Use Chicken Thighs For This Recipe?
Sure, you can use boneless and skinless chicken thighs for these Greek Lemon Chicken Skewers. Both cuts will work well, but remember that chicken thighs tend to be juicier and more flavorful.
Can I Grill The Skewers On An Indoor Grill Pan Or In The Oven?
Sure! If you don’t have access to an outdoor grill, you can still enjoy these delicious skewers by baking them in the oven or using a grill pan.
What Skewers to Use?
Feel free to use reusable metal skewers or wooden skewers. But if you use wooden ones, it’s essential to soak them in cold water for at least 30 minutes to keep them from burning or catching on fire.
More Chicken Recipes
Greek Lemon Chicken Skewers
Description
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp olive oil extra virgin
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp dried parsley
- 2 tsp paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 1/2 pounds chicken breasts boneless skinless
Instructions
- Prep the Chicken: Begin by cutting the chicken breasts into 1-inch bite-sized pieces.
- Marinate the Chicken: In a large mixing bowl, combine the lemon juice, lemon zest, olive oil, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried parsley, paprika, salt, and pepper. Whisk until the ingredients meld together.
- Add the chicken pieces to the marinade, ensuring each piece is well-coated. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
- Grill the Skewers: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. While it's heating up, thread the marinated chicken pieces onto wooden skewers.
- Once the grill is ready, place the skewers on it and grill for about 4 minutes on each side or until the chicken is fully cooked and has a nice char.
- Prepare the Tzatziki Sauce: While the chicken is grilling, whip up your homemade tzatziki sauce. Store in the fridge until ready to serve.
- Serve & Enjoy: Once the chicken skewers are grilled to perfection, plate them and drizzle or serve with the tzatziki sauce on the side. For an added touch of freshness, garnish with freshly chopped parsley.
Video
How do we calculate the nutrition info?
These nutrition facts listed are determined using nutrition information from the USDA Food Database. Our nutrition facts are accurate, but if you are using different products, please make your calculations. Net carb count is calculated by subtracting both fiber and sugar alcohols because they don’t raise blood sugar.
5 comments
Where’s your recipe for the tsikis sauce for this chicken dish???
It’s a delicious keto tzatziki sauce that’s super easy to make.
They’re called Chicken Souvlakia and the lemon zest is unnecessary. Take out the parsley and add oregano instead.
I live in a small apartment and don’t have a grill. Can these be done in the oven can you give details on how to do that? Thanks
You can still make delicious Greek Lemon Chicken Skewers in the oven. Just preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C), thread the marinated chicken onto skewers, and bake for about 20-25 minutes until cooked through and golden brown. For extra color, you can broil them for a couple of minutes at the end.