Description
Juicy, herb-marinated chicken thighs grilled to perfection and served with a cool, creamy homemade tzatziki sauce. This easy, make-ahead recipe is perfect for summer gatherings and delivers restaurant-quality flavor with minimal stress.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ½ cup fresh lemon juice
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups full-fat Greek yogurt
- 1 large English cucumber, peeled and grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Bamboo skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes
- Optional: Red onion and bell pepper chunks
Instructions
- Peel and grate the cucumber. Sprinkle with ½ teaspoon salt and let sit for 10 minutes to draw out moisture. Squeeze tightly to remove as much liquid as possible.
- In a medium bowl, combine the squeezed cucumber, Greek yogurt, minced garlic, chopped dill, lemon juice, olive oil, and salt. Stir well, cover, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- In a small bowl, whisk together ½ cup olive oil, ½ cup lemon juice, 6 cloves minced garlic, oregano, thyme, kosher salt, and black pepper.
- Place chicken cubes in a large bowl or zip-top bag. Pour marinade over chicken, toss to coat evenly, and marinate in the fridge for at least 1 hour (up to 12 hours).
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Clean and oil the grates. Thread chicken (and optional veggies) onto soaked skewers, leaving space between pieces.
- Grill skewers for 4-5 minutes per side, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Total cooking time is about 8-10 minutes.
- Let skewers rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve immediately with chilled tzatziki on the side.
Notes
Squeeze the cucumber thoroughly to prevent watery tzatziki. Use chicken thighs for juiciness; if using breasts, marinate for less time. Soak bamboo skewers to prevent burning. Oil grill grates to prevent sticking. Let chicken come to room temperature before grilling for even cooking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 skewer with tzatzi
- Calories: 350
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Protein: 30
Keywords: Mediterranean grilled chicken, chicken skewers, tzatziki recipe, summer grilling, easy dinner, crowd pleaser, Greek chicken, healthy grilling