This Stovetop Chicken Souvlaki Recipe is easy to make and takes just 40 minutes! The chicken is tender, and it is bursting with bright, Greek flavors.

Finished Chicken Souvlaki with text overlay for Pinterest.

Skillet Chicken Souvlaki

Everyone loves it when I make this Stovetop Chicken Souvlaki Recipe for dinner. Even my picky 6-year-old loves it! The flavors are so bright and vibrant, and you can enjoy these anytime of the year! 

I love the taste of a traditional Chicken Souvlaki Pita. Those skewers of meat are to die for! However, I wanted to put a twist on conventional Chicken Souvlaki and cook it in a skillet and speed up the process. 

With this recipe, you still get the same Mediterranean flavors of the classic recipe without firing up the grill. You can make it right on your stovetop. How great is that? Stovetop Chicken Souvlaki makes for a fantastic weeknight meal in just 40 minutes. 

I am excited for you to make Chicken Souvlaki and make it in a new way. Enjoy!

A close up overhead picture of Chicken souvlaki in pitas.

What is the difference between chicken souvlaki and chicken gyro?

Souvlaki and Gyros are very similar. Both are typically served as wraps in pita bread. However, the main difference is in how the meat is prepared. Souvlaki is traditionally made with small pieces of meat skewered on a stick. Gyros are usually made with slices of meat.

What is souvlaki seasoning made of?

Souvlaki is known for being flavored with garlic and oregano. I have added some parsley, lemon zest, lemon juice, and honey to that to make this recipe stand out with this incredible combination of flavors. 

How do you eat chicken souvlaki?

In Greece, it is a little bit of an insult to eat this with a fork and knife, so be warned! Keep those napkins handy as you eat this with your hands.

Eating from a pita can be a bit tricky! One tip is to eat it from the broadest end first. It is a little easier to manage and keep things from falling out this way. Try to make sure your bites include a little bit of everything so you can get the full flavor in every single bite. 

A hand holding a chicken souvlaki pita.

Cook’s Note – Stovetop Chicken Souvlaki Recipe:

  • The chicken will need to brine for 30 minutes in this recipe before you start cooking. I like to use this time to prep all of my other ingredients and make my sides.
  • I usually serve this meal with corn on the cob and cucumber slices with extra Tzatziki for dipping! Sometimes I even whip up these Greek-inspired Cucumber Sliders

Cook’s Tools:

  • mixing bowls
  • cutting board
  • chef’s knife (my absolute favorite!)
  • large skillet

An overhead picture of 3 Chicken souvlaki pitas wrapped up in foil.

 

How much will this Chicken Souvlaki recipe cost to make? 

RECIPE COST: $9.00

PER SERVING COST: $2.25

NOTE: The recipe prices are used calculating name brand products from grocery websites. The actual cost of the recipe varies depending on what you have stocked in your pantry and current grocery prices. 

  • 1 ½ pound boneless skinless chicken breasts $2.98
  • ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil $0.75
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley $0.12
  • 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest $0.00
  • ¼ cup fresh lemon juice from about 2 lemons $.96
  • 1 teaspoon honey $0.06
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano $0.05
  • (4) 8-inch pitas $1.68
  • 1 large green bell pepper $.58
  • 1 small red onion $.70
  • ½ cup Tzatziki sauce $1.12

Two Chicken souvlaki pitas stacked on top of each other.

Side Dishes to Serve with Stovetop Chicken Souvlaki: 

More Greek Inspired Recipes:

Chicken souvlaki wrapped up in a pita.

A Chicken Souvlaki pita wrapped up in foil.
4.75 from 8 votes

Stovetop Chicken Souvlaki Recipe

Author Adapted from America's Test Kitchen
Recipe Cost $ 9.00
Serving Cost $ 2.25
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
4 people
This Stovetop Chicken Souvlaki Recipe is easy to make and takes just 40 minutes! The chicken is tender, and it is bursting with bright, Greek flavors.

Equipment

  • mixing bowls
  • cutting board
  • chef's knife
  • large skillet

Ingredients
 
 

  • Salt and pepper
  • 1 ½ pound boneless skinless chicken breasts trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 Tablespoons fresh parsley minced
  • 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
  • ¼ cup fresh lemon juice from about 2 lemons
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 large green bell pepper quartered, stemmed, seeded, each quarter cut into 4 chunks
  • 1 small red onion ends trimmed, peeled, halved lengthwise, each half cut into 4 chunks
  • 4 8-inch pitas warmed
  • ½ cup Tzatziki sauce

GARNISHES:

  • 2 Roma tomatoes de-seeded and diced
  • Feta cheese freshly crumbled

Instructions

BRINE CHICKEN:

  • In a medium bowl, dissolve 2 tablespoons salt in 1-quart cold water. Submerge chicken pieces in brine, cover, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
    Brine the chicken in a bowl.

MAKE SAUCE:

  • While chicken is brining, prepare the sauce by combining oil, parsley, lemon zest, lemon juice, honey, oregano, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a medium bowl. Transfer 1/4 cup sauce mixture to a large bowl, and set it aside for later.
    Add all of the sauce ingredients to a liquid measuring cup.

PREP & COOK CHICKEN:

  • Remove chicken from brine and pat dry. Toss chicken with remaining sauce mixture.
    Pour the marinade over the chicken.
  • Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until cooked through and lightly browned, about 5-6 minutes. Add the onions and bell pepper to the skillet and cook until softened, 2-4 minutes.
    Take the skillet off of the heat and pour in the reserved sauce. Toss to combine and let the mixture sit for 5 minutes.
    Stovetop Chicken Souvlaki in a skillet

ASSEMBLE CHICKEN SOUVLAKI PITAS:

  • Lay a warmed pita on a 12-inch square of foil. Spread pita with about 2 tablespoons Tzatziki.
    Spread Tzatziki sauce over the pitas.
  • Place one-quarter of chicken and vegetables in the middle of each pita. Garnish with tomatoes and feta.
    Place the chicken souvlaki mixture and toppings on the pita.
  • Roll pita to look like a cylinder. Repeat with remaining pitas and serve immediately.
    Wrap the pitas up and serve.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 459kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 43g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 114mg | Sodium: 650mg | Potassium: 909mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 730IU | Vitamin C: 50.5mg | Calcium: 120mg | Iron: 2mg

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More Spring Recipes:

This Chicken Souvlaki recipe first appeared on Food Folks and Fun on April 17, 2015. I have since updated the pictures, and the originals are below.

Chicken Souvlaki in a pita on a plate.

Chicken Souvlaki in a pita with cucumbers and corn in the background.

Close up picture of Stovetop Chicken Souvlaki

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Recipe Rating




16 Comments

  1. Cindy Merrill says:

    As a Food Historian, I must say i’m quite impressed!

    1. I’m so glad. 🙂 Enjoy!

  2. This looks so delicious! I love chicken souvlaki!

  3. A very interesting recipe! Looks great, too!

  4. krysprincess says:

    these our some really great recipes

  5. Heidi Salisbury says:

    I have never had this dish. Thanks for sharing I am going to try this in this weeks menu.

  6. this looks delicious, i’m going to try to cook it!
    x,Abril

  7. Joanne T Ferguson says:

    Love this recipe! This is on the list to do Jillian!
    Thanks for sharing with the Say G’day party! Pinned and hope to see you on Saturday!

  8. Jaclyn Reynolds says:

    I need to make these for my husband!! Thank you for the recipe idea!!

  9. My mom and I love all things greek! When I was growing up near Madison, there was an official greek restaurant that we visited. This looks as good as their food!

  10. Rosanne Robinson says:

    Love this recipe, looking forward to giving it a try, thx very much for sharing it!

  11. wilhelmina says:

    I love that you took this favorite and turned it into a weeknight friendly meal! It is so delicious, my family loved it!

  12. Charles van Blommestein says:

    GREAT idea to cook something differently!

  13. This sure looks lip-smakin’ good! I love the little tricks like brining the chicken. I’ve never tried making this, and wowie, it is a good one I don’t have to worry nobody will like it! Also, I can’t grill, so it is perfect!

  14. YES PLEASE! We love Greek food, and this is something that I can easily make.