Greek Chicken Souvlaki Lemon (Printable Version)

Juicy charred chicken skewers with bright lemon rice, infused with Mediterranean herbs and grilled for tender flavor.

# Ingredients:

→ Chicken Marinade

01 - 500 grams boneless chicken breasts, cut into 3.8 cm cubes
02 - 60 milliliters extra virgin olive oil
03 - 30 milliliters fresh lemon juice
04 - 15 milliliters red wine vinegar
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
07 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
08 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Lemon Rice

09 - 185 grams long-grain white rice
10 - 30 milliliters extra virgin olive oil
11 - 480 milliliters hot chicken broth
12 - 30 milliliters fresh lemon juice
13 - 1 bay leaf
14 - Zest of 1 lemon
15 - Salt, to taste

# Steps:

01 - Combine olive oil, fresh lemon juice, and red wine vinegar in a bowl and whisk until fully emulsified. Add minced garlic, dried oregano, thyme, salt, and black pepper. Transfer the marinade into a large sealable bag.
02 - Add cubed chicken to the marinade bag, remove excess air, and seal tightly. Refrigerate for 6 to 8 hours, turning occasionally to ensure even flavor distribution. Bring chicken to room temperature 30 minutes before cooking.
03 - Thread marinated chicken pieces onto metal skewers, leaving space between pieces to allow even cooking.
04 - Preheat grill to medium-high heat (approximately 200–230°C). Grill skewers for 12 to 15 minutes, turning regularly for uniform charring. Ensure internal temperature reaches 74°C for safe consumption.
05 - Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add rice and sauté until grains are lightly toasted. Add hot chicken broth, lemon juice, bay leaf, lemon zest, and salt. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 15 minutes without lifting the lid.
06 - Remove saucepan from heat and let the rice rest, covered, for 10 minutes. Discard bay leaf, then fluff rice gently with a fork before serving.

# Notes:

01 - Marinating chicken for 6 to 8 hours enhances flavor and tenderness. Avoid exceeding 24 hours to prevent meat breakdown.
02 - Allow chicken to reach room temperature prior to grilling to promote even cooking.
03 - Metal skewers conduct heat better than wooden ones, improving cooking performance.
04 - Resting rice off heat allows cooking to complete and improves texture.
05 - For variations, grill vegetables separately using the same marinade.

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