This No-Skewer Greek Chicken Souvlaki is a healthier, quicker, and easier way to get your souvlaki fix with no cutting and skewering required! A marinated chicken breast is served on a bed of vegetables (with no pita bread) for a delicious, quick, and Weight Watchers friendly meal! I'll admit that most of the time, I'm way too lazy to cut things into little pieces and put them on a stick. And although I am also a huge fan of kabobs and skewered food in general, I don't want to be the one who has to make them. And that's why I created this easy, lazy Chicken Souvlaki without Skewers.
And why go to all that work when you actually don't have to!? This lazy chicken recipe is a lazy version of my Chicken Souvlaki Wrap! It's a Weight Watchers Greek Chicken that is healthy, low-carb, gluten-free, and full of flavor! You won't even miss the skewer. I promise.
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Cooking is a lot of work, and if you're like me, have a family and cook A LOT, then you'll understand. And although I like cooking more than many others, there are still many days I'd rather not cook at all!
🥘 Ingredient Notes
So, that leaves me always on the lookout for faster and easier ways to do things....And this no skewer Weight Watchers Greek Chicken Souvlaki recipe is so much faster than the usual method.
For this recipe, you'll need:
- Chicken breasts - Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts that are similar in size so they cook evenly. If some are thicker, pound them slightly for even cooking. You can use defrosted frozen chicken breasts as well.
- Lemon juice - I use lemon juice from concentrate (bottled) because it is stronger and gives a deeper flavor with less marination time.
- Oregano - Dried oregano gives that classic Greek taste. If using fresh oregano, double the amount.
- Olive oil - Helps tenderize the chicken and carry the flavors through the marinade. Any light-tasting olive oil works.
- Cajun seasoning - While not traditional in Greek cooking, the Cajun spice provides a depth of flavor that mimics the char of a traditional grill and adds a subtle kick and depth of flavor (it won't make it spicy). If you're sensitive to heat, reduce slightly.
- Bay leaf - Infuses the marinade with extra savory flavor. Be sure to discard before cooking.
- Roma tomatoes - Firm and less watery, which works great in this platter-style dish. Cherry or grape tomatoes also work.
- Tzatziki sauce - Use store-bought or homemade. Light or fat-free versions (like my Light and Healthy Tzatziki Sauce ) keep the recipe more Weight Watchers friendly.
📖 Variations & Substitutions
- Chicken breasts - substitute boneless, skinless chicken thighs (cook slightly longer)
- Lemon juice - use fresh lemon juice if you prefer, but you'll need double the amount
- Oregano - substitute Greek seasoning or Italian seasoning
- Cajun seasoning - use paprika with a pinch of garlic powder or chili flakes
- Red onion - use white onion, sweet onion, or thin-sliced green onions
- Chicken broth (optional) - replace part of the lemon juice with broth if you prefer a milder flavor
🔪How to Make Weight Watchers Greek Chicken
PREP: Heads Up! There is a marinating time of at least 6 hours for this recipe. I usually do it the night before or in the morning before I leave for work.
- Step 1: Score chicken ( I take a fork and stab it a bunch of times into the top of the chicken breast).
- Step 2: Greek Souvlaki Marinade: Whisk all marinade ingredients together in a bowl.
- Step 3: Pour over chicken. Marinate for 6 hours.
- Step 4: Discard the marinade and cook the chicken in a frying pan on the stovetop over medium heat.
- Step 5: Cook until chicken is cooked through (no longer pink) and the internal temperature reads 165 degrees F/74 degrees C
- Step 6: Lay sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, and chopped red onions on a plate,
- Step 7: Place chicken breast on bed of vegetables.
- Step 8: Add some sauce to a small ziploc bag, and cut off the tip.
- Step 9: Drizzle tzatziki sauce over the chicken. Garnish with lemon wedges. * This tastes even better if you squeeze the fresh lemon all over the veggies and chicken.
Expert Recipe Tips
- Score the chicken lightly - piercing with a fork helps the marinade absorb without drying out the meat.
- Marinate 6-24 hours - any longer and the lemon can start to change the chicken's texture.
- Pat the chicken dry - removing excess marinade helps it brown instead of steam.
- Cook over medium heat - high heat can burn the outside before the inside reaches 165°F/74°C.
- Let it rest 5 minutes - resting keeps the chicken juicy when you cut into it.
- Use an instant- read thermometer - the chicken is perfectly done at 165°F/74°C.
- Layer chicken over the veggies - the warmth slightly softens the onions and boosts flavor.
- Lightly salt the vegetables - a pinch of salt brings out their natural sweetness.
- Finish with fresh lemon - a squeeze at the end brightens the entire dish.
- Add tzatziki last - drizzle right before serving so it stays fresh and creamy.
- Marinate and freeze ahead - thaw overnight and cook, then add veggies and sauce fresh.
- Slice before serving if needed - sliced chicken stretches further and works great in bowls or pitas.
🔢WW Points
This Weight Watchers Chicken Souvlaki is only 2 ww points per serving!
🌡️Storage
Store this lazy chicken recipe in the fridge, in an airtight container, for 2-3 days. The chicken can be frozen in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.
❔ Recipe FAQs
Absolutely. Grill over medium heat, flipping once, until fully cooked. Let it rest for a few minutes before slicing or serving.
Yes! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work great in this recipe. They may take a couple of extra minutes to cook, so just be sure the internal temperature reaches 165°F / 74°C.
For the best flavor, 6 hours (or overnight) is ideal. If you're short on time, you can marinate it for at least 2 hours, but the lemon-garlic flavor won't be quite as strong.
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I'm a big fan of Mediterranean food, and I love anything with lemon and tzatziki. So when I can get Greek food fast and easy and without resorting to take-out, I'm a happy girl!~
If you're looking for Weight Watchers lazy chicken recipes, then you'll love this one! And if you're looking for more easy, healthy, and WW friendly Greek chicken recipes, give my Grilled Greek Chicken Burgers a try!
🐓 More Weight Watchers Chicken Recipes!
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📋 No Skewer Greek Chicken Souvlaki Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 chicken breasts
Chicken Souvlaki Marinade:
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 6 tablespoons lemon juice (from concentrate)
- 2 teaspoons oregano
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon cajun seasoning
- 1 bay leaf
Vegetable bed:
- 1 medium red onion, sliced in circles, then cut in half
- 3 roma tomatoes, sliced in circles
- 1 cucumber, sliced in circles
Garnish
- 6 tablespoons tzatziki sauce
- fresh lemon wedges
Instructions
- Heads Up! There is a marinating time of at least 6 hours for this recipe. I usually do it the night before or in the morning before I leave for work.
Greek Souvlaki Marinade:
- Score chicken ( I take a fork and stab it a bunch of times into the top of the chicken breast).6 chicken breasts
- Mix all ingredients in a bowl, then pour over chicken.2 teaspoons minced garlic, 6 tablespoons lemon juice (from concentrate), 2 teaspoons oregano, 2 tablespoons olive oil, ½ teaspoon cajun seasoning, 1 bay leaf
- Cook in frying pan on stove top over medium heat until chicken is cooked through (no longer pink). Check with an instant-read thermometer -internal temperature of chicken should be 165 degrees F/74 degrees C.
- Lay sliced tomatoes, cucumbers and chopped red onions on a plate,.1 medium red onion, sliced in circles, then cut in half, 3 roma tomatoes, sliced in circles, 1 cucumber, sliced in circles
- Then add chicken, then drizzle on some tzatziki sauce. * I simply add some sauce to a small ziploc bag, cut off the tip and add the tzatziki in a squiggly design on the chicken.6 tablespoons tzatziki sauce
Garnish:
- Garnish with lemon wedges. * This tastes even better if you squeeze the fresh lemon all over the veggies and chicken.fresh lemon wedges
Notes
- Score the chicken lightly - piercing with a fork helps the marinade absorb without drying out the meat.
Marinate 6-24 hours - any longer and the lemon can start to change the chicken's texture.
Pat the chicken dry - removing excess marinade helps it brown instead of steam.
Cook over medium heat - high heat can burn the outside before the inside reaches 165°F/74°C.
Let it rest 5 minutes - resting keeps the chicken juicy when you cut into it.
Use an instant- read thermometer - the chicken is perfectly done at 165°F/74°C.
Layer chicken over the veggies - the warmth slightly softens the onions and boosts flavor.
Lightly salt the vegetables - a pinch of salt brings out their natural sweetness.
Finish with fresh lemon - a squeeze at the end brightens the entire dish.
Add tzatziki last - drizzle right before serving so it stays fresh and creamy.
Marinate and freeze ahead - thaw overnight and cook, then add veggies and sauce fresh.
Slice before serving if needed - sliced chicken stretches further and works great in bowls or pitas.
Terri Gilson says
As someone who cooks frequently for my family, I'm always looking for shortcuts that don't sacrifice flavor. This Easy Chicken Souvlaki is a perfect example - all the delicious Greek flavors without the hassle of skewers! It's a staple in our house for a quick, healthy dinner that even satisfies my Weight Watchers goals. The kids love it too, which is always a win in my book.