I’m Greek.
And I definitely identify with a lot of the traditional elements of Greek culture. My Big Fat Greek Wedding? Yeah, basically a movie about the way my oldest sister’s wedding went…right down to her now-husband needing to be baptized in a baby pool so that they could get married in my church.
We go to Greek Festivals, our holiday meals always include spanakopita, baklava and tsoureki.
It’s not unusual at family gatherings for people to move to the kitchen and break out into full-on coordinated Greek dances.
Which is why it’s unusual that when it comes to food, I’m not the best Greek.
I don’t like olives.
I don’t eat lamb.
I prefer my meat NOT roasted on a spit in the backyard (true story, this has happened at family reunions).
But one thing I can always get on board with?
Chicken souvlaki.
Particularly chicken souvlaki that has been smothered in tzatziki sauce. Plus it uses my new-found love for skewers…so you know. How can you really go wrong?
Chicken Souvlaki with Tzatziki Sauce
Serves 4
Ingredients:
For the tzatziki sauce:
- 12 oz. plain non-fat Greek yogurt (I used 0% plain Chobani)
- 1 cucumber, peeled, seeds removed and grated
- 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/4 tsp. ground pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh dill
For the chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (3-4 oz. each), cubed
- 1/8 cup white vinegar + 1/8 cup water
- 2 tablespoons fresh-squeezed lemon juice
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- Salt and pepper
Directions:
For the tzatziki sauce:
- Add grated cucumber to a bowl with salt. Let sit for 10-20 minutes.
- Wring out cucumber with a kitchen towel to remove excess liquid then combine with yogurt, garlic, pepper and dill.
- Mix well and set aside.
For the chicken:
- Spray grill with cooking spray and heat on HIGH.
- Combine ingredients 2 through 6 in a bowl then add cubed chicken, mixing well so all the chicken is coated. Let sit for 5 minutes.
- Thread chicken onto 4 metal skewers.
- Lay skewers on the hot grill turning frequently and cooking until chicken is nicely browned on both sides.
- Remove from heat and lay over a warm whole wheat pita with cucumber slices, red onion and tzatziki sauce.
Ha, I just watched My Big Fat Greek Wedding last week!! If your family is anything like them, they are definitely colorful! lol
This looks delicious!!
Haha – such a good movie. And yes, ‘colorful’ is definitely a good word to describe it 🙂
WOW. Looks delicious!!
Thanks Kelly 🙂
Haha- I love that movie! This looks delicious- I often order chicken souvlaki when I’m at a Greek restaurant so will great to make it on my own!
It’s super simple and SO delicious!
I should have been Greek – I love it all! Especially lamb.. Oddly, lamb was the only meat I craved when I went vegan for a bit. Love the looks of these skewers!
That’s too funny! We should switch!
I juuuuust got back from my first trip to Greece. I’ve always wanted to go. My husband and I spent 2 weeks in Crete, Santorini, and Athens. It was awesome!
My favourite thing I ate was actually the swordfish souvlaki. Seafood in Greece is just fantastic.
Ah SO jealous!!! I’ve never been but am dying to get there someday!! And I can only imagine how good the seafood must be!
Love chicken souvlaki! I am also Greek- my favourite Greek food has to be xorta giandes, faikes (so simple and always so tasty!).. ahhh and so much more!
Today my yaya made batzina- have you ever had that? Its a really tasty cheesy pita type thing! 😀
Oh, and we can’t forget frappe!! I’ve been in Greece for the past two months and we have been having a huge heatwave.. 40 degrees C and up!! Best way to cool down? Nice iccy frappe— or a freddo cappucino 🙂
I haven’t but it sounds a lot like kolumbokopita which I adore! I’ve never been to Greece but I’m absolutely dying to come some day!
I can’t stand olives either. These looks soo soo delicious though!
And the best part is that they’re olive free! 🙂
My great grandparents came here from Greece. I am definitely Greek at heart. I love Greek food and culture. Tzatziki is definitely one of those foods I miss big time! So cool, creamy and comforting! This looks amazing!
That’s so funny!! My grandparents came over from Greece 🙂 I agree – there’s nothing better than Greek culture – it’s so encompassing!
This looks fabulous!
I have never attempted to make Greek food, but I just love it!
It was super easy – definitely give it a try!
Such a beautiful presentation and of course one of my fave movies of all time!!
Aw thank you! And yay! Glad to have another MBFGW fan around 🙂
Seriously. That looks scrumptious! I was a nanny for a Greek family all through high school and college and I fell in love with all things Greek! Yum!
Oh yay!! We love to pull people into our crazy culture 😉
My best friend is Greek. She brings me delicious dishes she has prepared herself every now and then. I enjoy her homemade authentic dishes, but I don’t think she has made anything like this. I love the freshness and the combination of this dish. The sauce looks awesome!
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Chicken breast may be substituted with extra firm tofu or falafel balls for vegetarians and it is just as yummy.
Agreed! I LOVE this dish with falafels as well 🙂
Can’t believe you don’t live olives! But, I’m glad you do like tzatziki sauce 🙂 I love Greek food!
Haha I know – it’s so bad that I don’t! I wish I did! And glad you love Greek food, it’s pretty darn delicious if you ask me 🙂
This looks simply delicious! And isolabella’s vegetarian idea makes it perfect for a cookout that mixes carnivores and vegetarians. Awesome recipe! (and that’s too funny, I just watched the movie a couple of weeks ago, perfect timing)
🙂 Such a good movie!