Greek Chicken Souvlaki Bowl (full Recipe)

Prep: 20 min
Cook: 20 min
Serves: 3–4

Ingredients

🍗 Chicken Souvlaki

1 lb (450 g) chicken breast (or thighs for juicier results)
3 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp lemon juice (fresh is best)
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp dried oregano
½ tsp paprika
½ tsp cumin
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper

Yellow Rice

1 cup basmati rice
2 cups chicken broth (or water)
1 tbsp olive oil
½ tsp turmeric
½ tsp salt

Tzatziki Sauce

1 cup Greek yogurt
½ cup cucumber, grated & squeezed dry
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp fresh dill (or ½ tsp dried)
Pinch of salt

Fresh Toppings

1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup cucumber, diced
¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced
½ cup feta cheese, crumbled
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Lemon wedges

Instructions (Pro-Level Detail)

1️⃣ Marinate the Chicken

Combine all marinade ingredients in a bowl.
Add chicken and toss well.
Marinate at least 15–30 minutes (up to overnight for deeper flavor).

👉 Tip: Add 1 tbsp yogurt to marinade for extra tenderness.

2️⃣ Cook the Rice (Fluffy Method)

Rinse rice until water runs clear.
Combine rice, broth, olive oil, turmeric, and salt in a pot.
Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer on low for 12–15 minutes.
Turn off heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes.
Fluff with a fork.

3️⃣ Make Tzatziki (Important Step)

Squeeze excess water from cucumber using a towel.
Mix all ingredients until smooth.
Chill for at least 10–15 minutes for best flavor.

4️⃣ Cook the Chicken

Heat a pan or grill over medium-high heat.
Cook chicken for 8–10 minutes, turning occasionally.
Slight charring = authentic flavor.

👉 Don’t overcrowd the pan—cook in batches if needed.

5️⃣ Assemble the Bowl

Start with a base of warm yellow rice.
Add chicken on top.
Arrange veggies and feta around.

6️⃣ Finish

Drizzle tzatziki generously.
Sprinkle parsley.
Add a squeeze of fresh lemon.

Nutrition (Approx. per serving)

Calories: ~450–550 kcal
Protein: 35–40 g
Carbs: 40–50 g
Fat: 18–25 g
Fiber: 4–6 g

Q&A / Tips

What makes it taste “authentic”?

Lemon + garlic + oregano combo
Slight char on chicken
Real Greek yogurt tzatziki

Can I use chicken thighs?

Yes—and honestly better:

More juicy
More flavor
Harder to overcook

How do I keep chicken tender?

Don’t skip marinade
Don’t overcook
Cook on medium-high heat quickly

Can I make it low-carb?

Swap rice for:

Cauliflower rice
Salad greens

Can I meal prep this?

Yes (great for 3–4 days):

Store components separately
Add tzatziki fresh

Why is my tzatziki watery?

Cucumber wasn’t squeezed enough
👉 This step is crucial

Can I grill instead of pan-cook?

Absolutely—best flavor:

Skewer chicken
Grill 10–12 minutes

Easy Variations

Mediterranean deluxe: add olives + hummus
Spicy version: add chili flakes or harissa
Wrap style: serve in pita bread

Pro Tips

Add a drizzle of olive oil at the end → boosts flavor
Use fresh herbs if possible (big difference)
Let chicken rest 3–5 minutes before serving

Author
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Sara Mitchell

Sara Mitchell is an expert restaurant content creator who writes easy-to-read guides about CAVA and other Mediterranean fast-casual chains in the United States. She covers locations, menus, prices, and hours, making it simple for visitors to find nearby restaurants and what to order quickly.

With years of experience in restaurant research and local SEO, Sara creates accurate, user-friendly guides that work for both people and search engines. Her goal is to help users go from search results to their nearest restaurant or menu choice with as few clicks as possible.