Description
Juicy chicken thighs marinated in lemon and oregano, grilled to perfection and served with a thick, creamy homemade garlic tzatziki sauce. This recipe is faster than takeout, budget-friendly, and delivers authentic Mediterranean flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
- 6 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried onion powder
- 1 tablespoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper, freshly cracked
- 2 cups full-fat Greek yogurt
- 1 large English cucumber, grated
- 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 8–10 bamboo skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes
Instructions
- Cut chicken thighs into uniform 1-inch cubes and place in a large bowl.
- In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup olive oil, 1/2 cup lemon juice, 6 cloves minced garlic, oregano, onion powder, 1 tablespoon salt, and pepper.
- Pour marinade over chicken and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (up to 4 hours).
- Grate the cucumber and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Let sit for 10 minutes, then squeeze out excess liquid using hands or a clean kitchen towel until dry.
- In a bowl, mix drained cucumber, Greek yogurt, dill, 2 cloves minced garlic, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 tablespoon olive oil, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Refrigerate until serving.
- Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
- Thread chicken onto soaked skewers, leaving space between pieces.
- Grill skewers for 3-4 minutes per side, turning once, until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Total cooking time is 12-15 minutes.
- Remove skewers from grill and let rest for 2 minutes.
- Serve immediately with tzatziki sauce on the side.
Notes
Draining the cucumber is critical for thick tzatziki; squeeze it until dry. Chicken thighs are preferred over breasts for juiciness. Tzatziki tastes better if made the night before. Do not freeze the tzatziki as it will separate.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 skewers with 1/4 c
- Calories: 380
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 8
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 32
Keywords: Mediterranean chicken, chicken skewers, tzatziki sauce, grilled chicken, easy dinner, healthy recipes, gluten-free, summer grilling