Greek Chicken Souvlaki with Maple Mustard Glaze

Tender, juicy chicken pieces marinated with lemon, garlic, oregano, olive oil, and Greek-inspired seasonings, then grilled until beautifully charred and finished with a sweet-and-tangy maple mustard glaze. This Greek chicken souvlaki is bursting with Mediterranean flavour and makes an easy, satisfying dinner.

The combination of savoury grilled chicken with the slightly sweet maple-mustard glaze is especially delicious. Serve the skewers with a crisp Greek salad, warm pita, tzatziki, roasted vegetables, or rice for a complete meal.

 Recipe Overview

Recipe Name: Greek Chicken Souvlaki with Maple Mustard Glaze
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Marinating Time: 30 minutes–4 hours
Cook Time: 12–15 minutes
Total Time: Approximately 1 hour
Servings: 4
Cuisine: Greek / Mediterranean-inspired
Course: Main Dish
Difficulty: Easy

 Ingredients

For the Chicken Souvlaki

• 700 g (about 1½ lb) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or chicken breasts
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1½ teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, optional

For the Maple Mustard Glaze

• 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 small garlic clove, finely minced
• ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
• Pinch of black pepper

For Serving

• Fresh lemon wedges
• Fresh parsley
• Tzatziki sauce
• Warm pita bread
• Greek salad
• Cucumber
• Cherry tomatoes
• Red onion
• Kalamata olives
• Crumbled feta cheese

 How to Make Greek Chicken Souvlaki

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Pat the chicken dry with paper towels.

Cut it into approximately 1½-inch bite-sized pieces.

Try to keep the pieces relatively similar in size so they cook evenly.

Chicken thighs are particularly delicious for souvlaki because they remain juicy and tender, but chicken breast works beautifully if you prefer a leaner option.

Step 2: Make the Marinade

In a large bowl, combine:

• Olive oil
• Lemon juice
• Minced garlic
• Oregano
• Paprika
• Thyme
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Onion powder

Whisk everything together.

Add the chicken pieces and toss thoroughly until every piece is coated.

Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

For deeper flavour, you can marinate the chicken for up to approximately 4 hours.

Avoid marinating chicken in a strongly acidic marinade for excessively long periods because the texture can become unpleasantly soft.

 Step 3: Prepare the Maple Mustard Glaze

While the chicken marinates, make the glaze.

In a small bowl, combine:

• Maple syrup
• Dijon mustard
• Lemon juice
• Olive oil
• Garlic
• Oregano
• Black pepper

Whisk until smooth.

The result should be a balanced combination of sweet, tangy, savoury, and slightly garlicky flavours.

Set aside.

Important: Keep some glaze separate for brushing or serving. If any glaze has touched raw chicken, don’t use it as a finishing sauce unless it is cooked thoroughly.

 Step 4: Prepare the Skewers

If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for approximately 20–30 minutes before grilling. This helps reduce the chance of burning.

Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto the skewers.

Don’t pack the pieces too tightly together. Leaving tiny spaces between them allows heat to circulate and encourages better browning.

 Step 5: Grill the Chicken

Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat.

Lightly oil the cooking surface.

Place the chicken skewers onto the hot grill.

Cook for approximately 3–4 minutes per side, turning regularly, until the chicken develops beautiful golden-brown grill marks and is cooked through.

Depending on the size of your chicken pieces and the heat of your grill, cooking time may vary.

The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

 Step 6: Add the Maple Mustard Glaze

During the final few minutes of cooking, brush the chicken lightly with the maple mustard glaze.

Turn the skewers and brush the other side.

Cook briefly until the glaze becomes glossy and slightly caramelised.

Be careful not to add the glaze too early because the maple syrup can caramelise quickly and burn over high heat.

For an especially glossy finish, brush on a second thin layer immediately after removing the skewers from the grill.

 Step 7: Rest and Serve

Transfer the cooked chicken skewers to a serving platter.

Allow them to rest for approximately 3–5 minutes.

Garnish with fresh parsley and lemon wedges.

Serve with tzatziki, Greek salad, warm pita, or roasted vegetables.

The fresh lemon juice is highly recommended—it cuts through the richness of the glaze and makes the flavours taste brighter.

 What to Serve With Chicken Souvlaki

This recipe pairs beautifully with Mediterranean-inspired sides.

Classic Combination

Serve with:

• Warm pita
• Tzatziki
• Greek salad
• Feta
• Kalamata olives
• Lemon wedges

Lighter Option

For a lower-carbohydrate meal, serve the chicken with:

• Cucumber salad
• Roasted zucchini
• Grilled eggplant
• Cauliflower rice
• Greek salad
• Steamed vegetables

Heartier Dinner

Add:

• Lemon rice
• Roasted potatoes
• Couscous
• Quinoa
• Warm pita bread

 Recipe Notes

Chicken Thighs vs. Chicken Breasts

Chicken thighs are naturally juicy and forgiving, making them excellent for grilling.

Chicken breasts are leaner and contain less fat, but they can dry out if overcooked. Cut breast meat into evenly sized pieces and monitor the cooking temperature carefully.

Don’t Skip the Lemon

Fresh lemon juice provides acidity that balances the savoury chicken and sweet maple glaze.

Use Fresh Garlic

Fresh garlic gives the marinade significantly more flavour than garlic powder alone.

Don’t Over-Marinate

Although the chicken can marinate for several hours, there is no need to marinate it overnight because the lemon juice can alter the texture.

Glaze at the End

Maple syrup contains natural sugars that can burn over high heat. Brush the glaze on during the final minutes rather than at the beginning.

 Tips for Perfect Souvlaki

1. Cut the chicken evenly.
Uniform pieces cook at roughly the same rate.

2. Don’t overcrowd the skewers.
Leave small spaces between pieces for better browning.

3. Preheat the grill properly.
A hot cooking surface creates those beautiful charred edges.

4. Oil the grill.
This reduces sticking and makes turning the skewers easier.

5. Turn frequently.
Rotating the skewers helps them cook evenly and prevents the glaze from burning.

6. Use a thermometer.
The safest and most reliable way to know the chicken is ready is to check that it reaches 165°F (74°C).

7. Rest before serving.
A few minutes of resting helps keep the chicken juicy.

8. Finish with fresh lemon.
The bright acidity complements the maple mustard glaze beautifully.

 Easy Recipe Variations

Spicy Maple Mustard Souvlaki

Add ¼–½ teaspoon cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the glaze.

Garlic Herb Souvlaki

Increase the garlic and add fresh rosemary, parsley, or thyme.

Mediterranean Vegetable Skewers

Alternate chicken pieces with chunks of bell pepper, red onion, and zucchini.

If using vegetables on the same skewer, cut them into sizes that will cook in a similar amount of time.

Feta-Topped Souvlaki

After grilling, sprinkle the chicken with crumbled feta and fresh parsley.

Creamy Maple Mustard Sauce

Mix a small amount of the maple mustard glaze with Greek yoghurt to create a creamy dipping sauce.

 Quick Tzatziki

A cool tzatziki sauce is the perfect contrast to the warm, caramelised chicken.

Ingredients

• ½ cup Greek yogurt
• ½ small cucumber, grated and squeezed dry
• 1 small garlic clove, minced
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon fresh dill
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• Pinch of salt

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a bowl.

Stir until creamy and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes before serving.

 Storage Instructions

Allow leftover chicken to cool before transferring it to an airtight container.

Refrigerate for approximately 3–4 days.

For the best texture, reheat gently in a skillet over medium-low heat or in the oven.

Add a small splash of water while reheating if the chicken seems dry.

Avoid repeatedly reheating the chicken because this can make it tough.

Can You Freeze Chicken Souvlaki?

Yes.

Allow the cooked chicken to cool completely, then place it in an airtight freezer-safe container.

Freeze for up to approximately 2–3 months for best quality.

Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

For the best texture, you may want to prepare the chicken without the glaze and add fresh glaze after reheating.

 Approximate Nutritional Information

The following is an estimate based on four servings using chicken breast and excluding pita, tzatziki, and additional sides.

Per serving:

• Calories: 360–420
• Protein: 45–50 g
• Carbohydrates: 10–14 g
• Fat: 15–19 g
• Fiber: 0–1 g
• Sugar: 7–9 g
• Sodium: 500–700 mg

Using chicken thighs or additional glaze will change the nutritional values.

Serving the souvlaki with pita, rice, potatoes, or other sides will also increase calories and carbohydrates.

 Potential Benefits

Excellent Source of Protein

Chicken provides high-quality protein, which helps support muscle maintenance and contributes to satiety.

Provides Healthy Fats

Extra-virgin olive oil contributes predominantly monounsaturated fat and is a staple ingredient in many Mediterranean-style meals.

Garlic and Herbs Add Flavor

Garlic, oregano, thyme, parsley, and lemon allow you to build a lot of flavour without relying on large amounts of salt.

Nutrient-Dense Meal

Pairing the chicken with vegetables, Greek salad, and yoghurt-based tzatziki can create a balanced meal containing protein, vegetables, healthy fats, and carbohydrates according to your chosen sides.

Customizable

You can easily adjust the portion of maple glaze, choose chicken breast or thighs, and select vegetable-based sides to suit your meal preferences.

Note: These are general nutritional characteristics, not medical claims. Overall dietary pattern and portion size are important.

 Frequently Asked Questions

What is chicken souvlaki?

Souvlaki is a popular Greek-style dish consisting of small pieces of seasoned meat cooked on skewers. Chicken is one of the common variations.

Can I make this without skewers?

Absolutely. Simply cook the marinated chicken pieces directly in a grill pan, skillet, or on a sheet pan.

Can I use chicken breast?

Yes. Chicken breast is an excellent lean option. Just be careful not to overcook it.

Can I cook the chicken in the oven?

Yes. Arrange the chicken pieces on a lined baking sheet and bake at 425°F (220°C) until cooked through, approximately 15–20 minutes depending on the size of the pieces. Brush with glaze toward the end.

Can I use an air fryer?

Yes. Air fry the chicken pieces at approximately 400°F (200°C) for around 10–14 minutes, turning halfway through. Cooking time will vary according to your appliance and the size of the chicken pieces.

Can I use honey instead of maple syrup?

Yes. Honey works well as a substitute, although it produces a slightly different flavour.

Is maple mustard glaze very sweet?

No. The mustard and lemon juice balance the maple syrup, creating a sweet-tangy glaze rather than an overwhelmingly sweet sauce.

Can I make this gluten-free?

Yes. The basic recipe is naturally gluten-free. However, always check packaged mustard, yoghurt, seasonings, and other processed ingredients if you need strict gluten avoidance.

Is this recipe low-carb?

The chicken and marinade are relatively low in carbohydrates, but the maple syrup adds some carbohydrate and sugar. You can reduce the amount of glaze or use a low-sugar alternative if desired.

Can I prepare the chicken ahead?

Yes. The chicken can be marinated several hours in advance and kept refrigerated until ready to cook.

What makes the chicken juicy?

Using chicken thighs, avoiding overcooking, cutting the pieces evenly, and allowing the cooked chicken to rest all help maintain moisture.

 Final Thoughts

Greek Chicken Souvlaki with Maple Mustard Glaze combines the fresh flavours of Mediterranean cooking with a delicious sweet-and-tangy twist.

The chicken is infused with lemon, garlic, olive oil, oregano, and herbs, grilled until beautifully charred, and finished with a glossy maple-Dijon glaze. Pair it with creamy tzatziki, crunchy Greek salad, warm pita, and a squeeze of lemon for a meal that feels both wholesome and indulgent.

It’s perfect for a family dinner, summer barbecue, meal prep, or an easy weeknight meal when you want something flavourful without complicated cooking.