Nathan’s Chicken Souvlaki Marinade

A Quick & Easy Marinade for chicken souvlaki, souvla or a frypan

There’s something about Greek cooking that brings people together — the smells, the sounds, the laughter around the table. At The Wooden Koutali, we believe food should be fun, full of flavour, and shared with the people you love. That’s why we’ve put together this cheeky little marinade for your next #GreekLife moment — it’s perfect for backyard feasts, Sunday cook-ups, or just because you feel like grilling something epic. What you’re about to see in the video might get a bit messy (and loud), but that’s the Greek way — kefi, good vibes, and flavour that slaps.

Ingredients:

• Grab your Souvla Server
• 4 kg chicken thigh, trimmed and cut into chunks
• 1.5 cups olive oil
• 1 whole head of garlic, crushed
• Salt & freshly cracked black pepper
• 1 litre of Greek yogurt
• 3 lemons, juiced
• 4 tablespoons Greek dried oregano
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• Plenty of paprika (go heavy!)

Method:

In a large container, add your chicken in layers, seasoning each layer with salt, pepper, paprika, oregano, and crushed garlic as you go.

Pour over the olive oil, lemon juice, Greek yogurt, and sugar.

Mix it all the way through — get your hands in there if you have to. Every piece of chicken should be completely coated.

Cover and place in the fridge for at least 24 hours to let all those rich, herby, garlicky flavours soak right in.

Optional but handy tip: Soak your wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes beforehand so they don’t split or burn.

You can skewer the meat before marinating to save mess later, but if you do it after, just be prepared to get a bit saucy.

Grill over charcoal, gas, or even in a hot pan until golden and cooked through.

Why You’ll Love It:

Big Flavour, Low Effort: Prep takes under 30 minutes, but the taste is pure taverna-level magic.
Creamy, Zesty Goodness: The yogurt, garlic, and lemon blend into a rich, tangy marinade that clings to every bite.
Crowd-Pleaser: Even the fussiest eaters will be lining up for seconds — guaranteed.

Time Needed

Nigella’s: 30 minutes – to marinade
Rookie’s: 1 hour (or if you’re funny with chicken & cutting up meats ;))

Don’t forget to lick the koutali 😉

Product Used