Authentic Greek Chicken Souvlaki Marinade in 5 Minutes Recipe
This Authentic Greek Chicken Souvlaki Marinade combines bright lemon juice and zest, robust garlic, fragrant oregano, and a splash of red wine vinegar to create a vibrant and flavorful marinade. Perfect for infusing 1.5 to 2 pounds of chicken before grilling, this marinade tenderizes and enhances the chicken with classic Mediterranean flavors, delivering juicy and aromatic souvlaki every time.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-15 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes (including minimum marination time)
- Yield: Marinade for 1.5 to 2 pounds of chicken 1x
- Category: Marinade
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Greek
Ingredients
Scale
Marinade Ingredients
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- Juice of 2 lemons (about 6 tbsp)
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
- Optional: 2 tbsp plain Greek yogurt
- Optional: ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Zest one lemon and juice two lemons to yield about 6 tablespoons of juice. Mince the garlic cloves finely for even flavor distribution.
- Combine Marinade: In a mixing bowl, add the lemon juice, lemon zest, extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, dried oregano, kosher salt, and black pepper. If using, add the plain Greek yogurt and crushed red pepper flakes for creaminess and heat.
- Mix Marinade: Whisk all ingredients thoroughly until the marinade is well combined and slightly emulsified, ensuring flavors meld together.
- Marinate Chicken: Place 1.5 to 2 pounds of chicken pieces or skewers into a sealable bag or container. Pour the marinade over the chicken, seal tightly, and refrigerate.
- Marination Time: Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 2 hours, ideally between 4 to 6 hours, to maximize flavor absorption and tenderization.
- Cook as Desired: Remove the chicken from the marinade and grill over medium-high heat until fully cooked, approximately 10-15 minutes depending on piece size, or use in other Mediterranean-style recipes as preferred.
Notes
- For best results, marinate the chicken for 4 to 6 hours but do not exceed 24 hours as the lemon juice may start to ‘cook’ the meat.
- Adding Greek yogurt is optional but enhances tenderness and adds a creamy texture to the marinade.
- Crushed red pepper flakes add a subtle heat; adjust quantity or omit according to taste.
- This marinade is also excellent for pork or lamb souvlaki.
- Grill chicken over medium-high heat to get a nice char while keeping the inside juicy.
Keywords: Greek chicken souvlaki marinade, lemon garlic marinade, Mediterranean chicken marinade, grilled chicken marinade, souvlaki marinade
