Greek Chicken Souvlaki Bowl
Easy, Flavourful Mediterranean Dinner
Make an easy Greek Chicken Souvlaki Bowl with lemon-garlic chicken, creamy feta yogurt sauce, fresh vegetables, and rice or greens.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Marinating Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 47 minutes
Servings: 4
Why You’ll Love This Greek Chicken Bowl
- Quick and easy: The chicken needs only 20 minutes of marinating time for a flavorful result.
- Fresh Mediterranean flavors: Lemon, garlic, oregano, feta, yogurt, and fresh vegetables create a bright and savory combination.
- Easy to customize: Choose rice, quinoa, greens, or cauliflower rice as your base.
- Great for meal prep: The chicken, vegetables, and sauce can be prepared separately.
- Family-friendly: Everyone can build their own bowl with their favorite toppings.
Ingredients
Lemon-Garlic Chicken
- 1½ pounds (700 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 3–4 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 1½–2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Creamy Feta Yogurt Sauce
- ½–1 cup crumbled feta cheese
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1–2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 small garlic clove, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill or parsley, chopped
- Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Optional Bowl Toppings
- Cooked white or brown rice
- Cooked quinoa
- Diced cucumber
- Halved cherry tomatoes
- Thinly sliced red onion
- Kalamata olives
- Fresh parsley or dill
- Warm pita bread
- Lemon wedges
How to Make Greek Chicken Souvlaki Bowl
1. Marinate the Chicken
Place the cubed chicken in a large bowl. Add olive oil, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, oregano, paprika, cumin, salt, and black pepper.
Toss thoroughly until every piece is evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes. For deeper flavor, you can marinate it for up to about 4 hours.
Because the marinade contains lemon juice, avoid leaving the chicken in it for excessively long periods, as the texture can become less desirable.
2. Prepare the Feta Yogurt Sauce
Add feta cheese, Greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and black pepper to a food processor or blender.
Blend until creamy. If the sauce is too thick, add a little more Greek yogurt or olive oil until it reaches your preferred consistency.
Fold in the chopped dill or parsley. Taste and adjust the lemon juice, pepper, or salt if needed.
3. Cook the Chicken
Heat a large skillet, grill pan, or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat.
Add the marinated chicken in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding the pan. If necessary, cook the chicken in batches.
Cook for approximately 5–6 minutes, then turn the pieces and continue cooking for another 5–6 minutes, depending on their size.
The chicken should be browned on the outside and cooked through. Check that the thickest pieces reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Remove the chicken from the heat and allow it to rest briefly.
4. Assemble the Bowl
Add your preferred base to a serving bowl. Rice, quinoa, or fresh greens all work well.
Top with the cooked Greek chicken, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and Kalamata olives. Add a generous spoonful of the creamy feta yogurt sauce.
Finish with fresh parsley or dill and a lemon wedge. Serve with warm pita bread if desired.
Best Tips for Juicy Greek Chicken Souvlaki
Choose the Right Chicken
Chicken thighs are naturally more forgiving and tend to remain juicy during cooking. Chicken breast is also an excellent option but should not be overcooked.
Cut the Chicken Evenly
Cutting the chicken into similar-sized pieces helps everything cook at approximately the same rate.
Give the Marinade Time to Work
Even 20 minutes provides flavor, while a few hours allows the herbs, garlic, lemon, and spices to develop a stronger flavor.
Use a Hot Pan
A properly heated skillet helps the chicken develop golden-brown edges instead of simply steaming.
Don’t Overcrowd the Pan
Too many chicken pieces at once can lower the pan temperature and release excess moisture. Cook in batches if necessary.
Use Fresh Lemon Juice
Fresh lemon juice gives both the chicken marinade and feta sauce a brighter flavor.
Easy Variations
Low-Carb Souvlaki Bowl
Replace rice or quinoa with romaine lettuce, spinach, arugula, or cauliflower rice.
Greek Rice Bowl
Serve the chicken over rice with cucumber, tomatoes, olives, red onion, feta, and fresh herbs.
Spicy Chicken Souvlaki
Add ¼–½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to the chicken marinade for extra heat.
Pita Souvlaki Wrap
Place the cooked chicken, vegetables, and feta sauce inside warm pita bread for an easy handheld meal.
Grilled Souvlaki
Thread the marinated chicken onto skewers and grill until browned and cooked through. If using wooden skewers, soak them according to the manufacturer’s instructions before grilling.
Vegetarian Mediterranean Bowl
Replace the chicken with grilled halloumi, roasted chickpeas, or grilled vegetables and keep the feta yogurt sauce.
What to Serve With Greek Chicken Souvlaki
This bowl is filling on its own, but you can serve it with additional Mediterranean favorites such as:
- Warm pita bread
- Greek-style salad
- Hummus
- Roasted vegetables
- Olives
- Tzatziki
- Lemon wedges
- Roasted potatoes
For meal prep, keep the chicken, vegetables, grain, and sauce in separate containers when possible. Add the sauce just before serving to help maintain the best texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use chicken breast instead of chicken thighs?
Yes. Chicken breast works very well in this recipe. Cut it into evenly sized pieces and cook it only until it reaches 165°F (74°C) to help prevent it from becoming dry.
How long should I marinate chicken for souvlaki?
For a quick meal, 20 minutes is enough to add flavor. You can marinate the chicken for up to about 4 hours in the refrigerator for a more pronounced flavor.
Can I prepare the feta sauce ahead of time?
Yes. Store the sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Stir it before serving if the texture has thickened.
Can I bake the chicken instead?
Yes. Arrange the marinated chicken pieces in a single layer on a lined baking sheet and bake at 425°F (220°C) until browned and cooked through. Cooking time will vary according to the size of the chicken pieces, so use an instant-read thermometer to verify doneness.
Can I make this Greek chicken bowl dairy-free?
Yes. Replace the feta and Greek yogurt sauce with a dairy-free yogurt sauce or a lemon-herb tahini dressing.
What vegetables are best for a souvlaki bowl?
Cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, roasted peppers, lettuce, spinach, zucchini, and olives all pair nicely with the seasoned chicken.
Is this recipe good for meal prep?
Yes. Prepare the chicken, vegetables, grain, and sauce ahead of time and store them separately. Assemble the bowls when you’re ready to eat.
Can I freeze the cooked chicken?
Yes. Cool the cooked chicken completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container. For best quality, use it within approximately 2–3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator and reheat thoroughly.
Nutrition Facts
Estimated nutrition per serving:
Per serving (approximately):
Calories: 520 kcal
Protein: 48 g
Carbohydrates: 18 g
Fiber: 3 g
Sugar: 4 g
Fat: 28 g
Saturated Fat: 7 g
Sodium: 720 mg
*Nutrition will vary depending on the chicken cut, amount of feta sauce, rice or quinoa, vegetables, olives, and other toppings used. These values are estimates and should be treated as general guidance.
Storage and Food Safety
Store leftover cooked chicken and assembled ingredients in airtight containers in the refrigerator.
For best quality, refrigerate perishable leftovers promptly and use them within 3–4 days.
Keep the feta yogurt sauce refrigerated and avoid leaving it at room temperature for extended periods.
When reheating chicken, heat it thoroughly before serving. A food thermometer is the most reliable way to check that cooked poultry has reached a safe internal temperature.
Final Thoughts
This Greek Chicken Souvlaki Bowl is a simple way to enjoy bright, savory Mediterranean-inspired flavors at home. Tender lemon-garlic chicken, creamy feta yogurt sauce, crisp vegetables, fresh herbs, and a flavorful grain or greens base come together in one colorful and satisfying meal.
The recipe is flexible enough for the whole family. Use chicken thighs for extra tenderness, chicken breast for a leaner option, rice for a hearty bowl, or fresh greens for a lighter base.
With simple preparation, fresh ingredients, and plenty of customization options, this Greek chicken bowl is an excellent choice for a flavorful weeknight dinner, make-ahead lunch, or easy family meal.