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Grilled chicken skewers with tzatziki served on a wooden platter with pita, lemon wedges, and fresh herbs at a campsite

Grilled Chicken Skewers with Tzatziki

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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into 1.5-inch chunks
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice about 1 large lemon
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1.5 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 0.5 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
  • 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 8 skewers (wooden soaked 30 min) or metal
  • 1.5 cups full-fat Greek yogurt
  • 1 medium English cucumber grated and squeezed very dry
  • 2 cloves garlic finely minced or grated
  • 2 tablespoons fresh dill chopped, plus more for garnish
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil plus more for drizzling
  • 0.5 teaspoon kosher salt or to taste
  • 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
  • 4 pita breads warmed, optional
  • 1 lemon (cut into wedges)
  • fresh dill or parsley for garnish

Instructions
 

  • In a large zip-lock bag or bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, oregano, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika until combined.
  • Add the chicken thigh chunks to the marinade and toss to coat thoroughly. Seal the bag or cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or ideally overnight (up to 24 hours). If heading to a campsite, keep in a sealed bag in a well-chilled cooler.
  • Grate the English cucumber on the large holes of a box grater. Place the grated cucumber in a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth and squeeze firmly until almost all moisture is removed. This step is crucial for thick, creamy tzatziki.
  • In a bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, squeezed cucumber, minced garlic, chopped dill, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Stir until fully combined.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning. Drizzle with a little extra olive oil, cover, and refrigerate until ready to serve. (Can be made up to 3 days ahead and stored in a sealed jar in the cooler.)
  • If using wooden skewers, ensure they have been soaked in water for at least 30 minutes.
  • Remove the chicken from the marinade and thread the pieces onto skewers, leaving a small gap between each piece so they cook evenly. Aim for about 5-6 pieces per skewer.
  • Preheat your grill or campfire grill grate to medium-high heat (about 400°F). If cooking over a campfire, let the flames die down to hot glowing coals for the most even heat.
  • Place the skewers on the grill and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, turning once or twice, until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F) and has golden-brown char marks on the edges. Total grill time is approximately 12-15 minutes.
  • Remove skewers from the grill and let rest for 3-5 minutes before serving.
  • Arrange the skewers on a platter or board. Serve with tzatziki on the side for dipping, warm pita, fresh lemon wedges, and a garnish of fresh dill or parsley. Enjoy immediately.

Notes

Marinade tip: The longer the chicken marinates, the deeper the flavor — overnight is ideal. Make-ahead: Both the marinade (with chicken) and the tzatziki can be fully prepped at home before a camping trip. Storage: Leftover cooked chicken keeps in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Tzatziki keeps for up to 3 days. Reheat chicken gently in a skillet or eat cold in a wrap. Campfire tip: Let flames die to hot coals before grilling for the most even, controlled heat and the best char.
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