You won’t believe how easy it is to make a homemade Chicken Souvlaki Wrap just like they do in Greece.
In this recipe, pieces of chicken marinated in Greek yogurt and seasonings are threaded onto skewers, grilled to tender perfection, and served in a pita wrap.
We like to finish it off with classic toppings such as tzatziki, red onion, tomato slices, feta, and fries.
You can customize the fillings to your liking making this the perfect meal that everyone will love!
Make sure to check out my homemade Pita Bread, Greek Fries, and Authentic Tzatziki recipes to complete your Chicken Souvlaki Wrap.
Chicken Souvlaki is traditional Greek street cart food made of small pieces of meat (and sometimes vegetables) threaded onto skewers and grilled.
The word ‘souvlaki’ quite literally means ‘meat on skewers’.
“Give me a word, any word, and I will show you how the root of that word is Greek”
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The meat used for souvlaki is typically chicken, pork, or beef and gets marinated in lemon, garlic, and herbs.
Read more about Souvlaki: The Origins of Greek Fast Food in this article by the Greek reporter.
FOR THE CHICKEN:
Chicken breast – use 2-4 breasts (or 1.5-2lbs) cut into 1-inch cubes. Boneless chicken thighs could also be used.
Greek yogurt – plain Greek yogurt is best which helps tenderize the meat and keep it juicy. This does not make the meat taste like yogurt.
Lemon – juice from one lemon for the marinade plus more slices for serving with the chicken.
Garlic – minced or finely chopped is best.
Olive oil – is added to the marinade to help tenderize the meat. Use a high-quality Greek extra virgin olive oil if possible.
Dried oregano – adds the authentic Greek flavor and is typical for souvlaki recipes.
Dried thyme – is another classic Greek herb that adds great flavor.
Paprika – adds color to the marinade and is typical in Greek marinades.
Salt & pepper – necessary for seasoning the marinade.
FOR THE WRAP:
Pita bread – make your own with this recipe or store bought also works for an easier option.
Tomato – thinly sliced tomato adds a necessary fresh element to the heavy wrap.
Red onion – thinly sliced red onion has the perfect bite to balance the wrap.
Fries – are commonly used in the street cart pitas you’ll find in Athens but are optional.
Feta – good quality feta cheese pairs so well with the rest of the ingredients.
Tzatziki – use this recipe for easy homemade tzatziki or buy some premade to save time such as this one from Whole Foods.
Making the perfect chicken souvlaki wrap starts with the best marinade!
This marinade comes together with Greek yogurt, fresh ingredients like lemon and garlic, as well as dried herbs and spices.
The yogurt and lemon help tenderize the chicken while it marinates which guarantees juicy, flavorful skewers.
FOR THE CHICKEN:
Step 1 – If using wooden skewers, soak in water for 30 minutes.
Step 2 – In a large bowl, combine Greek yogurt, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, olive oil, dried oregano, dried thyme, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Step 3 – Cut chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes and add to the bowl with marinade ingredients. Toss to coat all chicken pieces evenly.
Step 4 – Cover and place in the fridge to marinate for at least 30 minutes or overnight.
Step 5 – Thread chicken pieces onto skewers. Preheat outdoor grill or grill pan and drizzle with oil.
Step 6 – Place skewers on grill, turning on all sides for about 8-12 minutes or until chicken is fully cooked through (165F). Serve chicken with extra fresh lemon slices.
CHICKEN SOUVLAKI WRAP ASSEMBLY:
Step 1 – Warm up the pita on grill or stove top. Spread tzatziki over the entire surface of pita.
Step 2 – Remove chicken pieces from skewer and place on top of pita. Top with sliced red onion, tomato, feta and fries.
Step 3 – Fold in half like a taco and enjoy with extra tzatziki.
Follow these recipes for making your own tzatziki or pita bread.
Protein: Try using pork or beef instead of chicken. The souvlaki marinade works well with all proteins.
Serving: Instead of a making a chicken souvlaki wrap, serve the skewers with a Greek salad for a low-carb option or with roasted lemon potatoes for a complete hearty meal.
Cook Method: skewers can be cooked on an outdoor grill, turning on all sides until internal temp reaches 165 F. You can also cook them in a grill pan on the stove or use an electric griddle.
Wooden Skewers: soak them in water for 30 minutes before threading on the chicken. This prevents the skewers from burning and splintering.
Marinade Time: minimum of 30 minutes in the fridge or up to overnight.
Souvlaki meat is made with small pieces of grilled meat stacked onto a skewer, while gyro meat is shaved off a vertical rotating spit (rotisserie). They are both typically served with pita and tzatziki.
Place leftover cooked chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or remove chicken from skewers and heat in a 350 F oven for 10 minutes or until warmed through.
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Seriously delicious- made these tonite and served with yogurt, feta, lettuce and tomato! I'm so glad I found your account thru tiktok! thank you for sharing :)
Hi Beth, thank you so much!! Thrilled that you enjoyed the recipe.
-Sierra