Authentic Chicken Souvlaki with Homemade Pita & Tzatziki.
- Eliane Muskus
- Jul 18
- 3 min read
Juicy marinated chicken, soft homemade pita, and fresh tzatziki — your ultimate Greek feast at home!
Isn’t it amazing how some dishes instantly transport you to sunny terraces and bustling street markets?
That’s exactly how I feel about souvlaki — juicy grilled chicken, warm pita, and that cool, creamy tzatziki. It’s a taste of Greece you can recreate in your own kitchen, whether for a relaxed dinner or a summer gathering with friends.
Let me guide you through this simple recipe that feels like a mini getaway in every bite.
Serves: 4 as a generous main course (with pita, chicken skewers, tzatziki, and toppings)
👉 Or serves 6 as part of a sharing platter or light meal
This is based on 12 chicken thighs (3 per person), 4 homemade pita breads, and a bowl of tzatziki — a hearty serving for a casual meal.
Prep Time: 25 min (plus marinating)
Cook Time: 30 min
Ingredients:
For the Chicken & Marinade:
12 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
4 tbsp olive oil
2 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried mint
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp sweet paprika
½ tsp ground cinnamon
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
4 garlic cloves, crushed
Salt & freshly ground black pepper
For the Homemade Pita:
250g strong white bread flour
7g sachet instant yeast
1 tsp caster sugar
2 tsp olive oil (plus extra for greasing)
150ml lukewarm water
For the Tzatziki:
½ cucumber, seeds scooped out and finely chopped
200g Greek yogurt
Small bunch fresh mint, finely chopped
1 small garlic clove, crushed
Juice of ½ lemon
Pinch of salt
How to Make It:
1️⃣ Marinate the Chicken:
Place the chicken thighs in a large bowl. Add all marinade ingredients, plus a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Mix well until the chicken is fully coated. Cover and chill for at least 3 hours — or up to 48 hours for deeper flavor.
2️⃣ Prepare the Pita Dough:
In a bowl, mix flour, yeast, sugar, and ½ tsp salt. Stir in lukewarm water and olive oil, forming a soft dough. Knead by hand for 8–10 minutes (or 5 minutes with a mixer) until smooth. Place in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a cloth, and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled.
3️⃣ Shape the Pittas:
Divide the dough into 4 pieces and roll out into thin circles. Cover lightly with oiled cling film and let rest for 15–20 minutes.
4️⃣ Make the Tzatziki:
Combine the chopped cucumber with yogurt, mint, garlic, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt. Chill until ready to serve — the flavor gets even better with time.
5️⃣ Assemble the Skewers:
Heat your grill to high. Thread each chicken thigh over two metal skewers, slightly spaced, using about 6 thighs per set. Rest the skewers over a foil-lined roasting tin.
6️⃣ Cook the Pita:
Heat a dry pan over medium-high heat. Lightly oil each pita and cook for 1–2 minutes on one side until bubbles appear, then flip and cook another 2–3 minutes. Keep warm, wrapped in foil.
7️⃣ Grill the Chicken:
Place the skewers under the hot grill for 15–20 minutes, brushing with oil and pan juices occasionally. Turn halfway through for even cooking. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
8️⃣ Serve & Enjoy:
Slice the chicken skewers, serve in warm pita with lettuce, tomato, red onion, a generous spoonful of tzatziki, and a squeeze of lemon.
To Serve:
Butter or round lettuce leaves
4 large tomatoes, deseeded and diced
1 red onion, thinly sliced
Lemon wedges
Serving Suggestion:
This recipe serves 4 generously — perfect for a shared meal with plenty of pita, chicken, and toppings.
(You could note: “Serves 4 as a main course or 6 as part of a sharing platter.”)
📌 You'll need: Metal skewers but you can also use wooden skewers if you don't have the metal ones.
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