The image captures an appealing, balanced meal: perfectly charred chicken and colorful bell pepper skewers resting on a bed of roasted potatoes and lettuce, generously drizzled with a fresh, creamy yogurt-herb sauce. This dish is a flavorful take on Chicken Souvlaki or Shish Kebab, offering lean protein, fresh vegetables, and savory potatoes, all tied together with a cool, tangy sauce.
This recipe focuses on marinating the chicken for maximum flavor and providing the steps for a quick, authentic Tzatziki sauce.
✨ Ingredients for Mediterranean Chicken Skewers
This dish has three primary components: the marinated chicken, the roasted base, and the essential cooling sauce.
1. 🍗 The Marinated Chicken Skewers (Kebabs)
- Chicken: 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless Chicken Breasts or Thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes.
- Skewers: 8-10 wooden or metal skewers.
- Vegetables: 1 large Red Bell Pepper, chopped into 1-inch squares, 1 large Yellow Bell Pepper, chopped into 1-inch squares.
- Marinade: 1/4 cup Olive Oil, 2 tablespoons Lemon Juice, 2 cloves Garlic, minced, 1 tablespoon dried Oregano, 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika, 1 teaspoon Salt, 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper.
2. 🥔 The Base
- Potatoes: 1.5 lbs Yukon Gold or Red Potatoes, cut into wedges (roasted separately or on skewers).
- Greens: 4 cups Romaine Lettuce or mixed greens (visible beneath the potatoes).
- Seasoning: 2 tablespoons Olive Oil, Salt, Pepper, 1/2 teaspoon Oregano (for potatoes).
3. 🥣 Creamy Tzatziki Sauce
- Base: 1 cup Plain Greek Yogurt (full fat is best).
- Aromatics: 1/2 English Cucumber, peeled, seeded, and grated (moisture squeezed out).
- Flavor: 1 clove Garlic, minced, 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice, 1 tablespoon fresh Dill, chopped (or Mint/Parsley).
- Finish: Salt and Pepper to taste.
👩🍳 Instructions: Grilling and Layering Flavors
We will marinate the chicken, roast the potatoes, and prepare the sauce simultaneously for a quick assembly.
Step 1: Marinate and Prep
- Marinate Chicken: Whisk together all the marinade ingredients in a bowl. Add the chicken cubes and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (up to 4 hours).
- Prep Potatoes: Toss the potato wedges with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, salt, pepper, and oregano. Roast in an oven at 400^{\circ}\text{F} (200^{\circ}\text{C}) for 25-30 minutes until golden and tender.
- Assemble Skewers: Thread the marinated chicken and pepper pieces onto the skewers, alternating between chicken and vegetables.
Step 2: Prepare Tzatziki Sauce
- Mix Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, squeezed grated cucumber, minced garlic, lemon juice, and fresh dill. Season with salt and pepper.
- Chill: Cover and chill the Tzatziki Sauce while you grill the kebabs to allow the flavors to meld.
Step 3: Grill the Kebabs
- Grill: Preheat your grill (or grill pan) to medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grates.
- Cook: Place the skewers on the grill. Cook for 4-6 minutes per side, turning occasionally, until the chicken is browned, cooked through (165^{\circ}\text{F} internal temperature), and the peppers are slightly charred and tender.
Step 4: Assemble the Plate
- Base: Place a layer of mixed greens on the serving plate. Top with the warm roasted potato wedges.
- Protein: Carefully slide the chicken and pepper pieces off the skewers and arrange them over the potatoes and lettuce (or place the entire kebab on top).
- Sauce and Garnish: Drizzle the chilled Tzatziki Sauce generously over the chicken and potatoes. Garnish with a final sprinkle of fresh chopped herbs (dill or parsley) for color. Serve immediately.
💡 Kebab Master Tips
- Yogurt Base: Using Greek Yogurt in the Tzatziki is essential for the thick, creamy texture that holds up beautifully over the warm ingredients.
- Marinade Time: Allowing the chicken to marinate for a full 30 minutes in lemon juice and oregano is key to infusing the Chicken Skewers with authentic Mediterranean flavor.
- Uniform Sizing: Cutting the chicken and peppers into Uniform 1-inch Pieces ensures they cook evenly at the same rate, preventing the chicken from drying out.
- Juicy Kebab: Using high heat for a quick grill seals in the juices, resulting in Juicy Chicken Kebabs with a beautiful char.