Greek Chicken Souvlaki and Rice Pilaf Plates w/Marinated Veggies + Feta Tzatziki.
I have the best kind of Monday food for you.
Greek!
Greek food is delicious on pretty much any given day, but it sure helps to get you through a Monday, don’t cha think?
So you remember how last week how I said August was gonna be all about summer foods? And that I really wanted to spend the last full month of summer eating everything and anything that SCREAMS summer? Well, I really wasn’t kidding. I am going crazy with all the farm fresh produce that comes along with the month of August. It really excites me to come up with creative ways to make the most of it all.
Although I may have to throw in a few chocolate recipes here and there that have nothing to do with summer. For some reason over the weekend I could not stop thinking about chocolate. Probably because my chocolate lover mother is coming back for a few days, so I wanted to make something that was all about chocolate. You see, when it comes to my mom and her chocolate (and me too for that matter) the mixing in of fruit is forbidden.
Unless it’s bananas or dates. Banana’s and dates are my only two exceptions.
I also feel I should tell you that if you’ve ever seen any raspberries, cherries or strawberries on top of anything chocolate I’ve posted, you can pretty much guarantee that I put them there for the photos. This also means I probably picked the berries off and ate them separately. I am just not a fruit with my chocolate kind of girl. White chocolate, sure, but not chocolate chocolate.
So, I am taking suggestions. Nothing’s been made yet.
Ok, sorry about my all too common diversion there, but I kind get serious about my chocolate.
FYI – We all should be serious about our chocolate…no matter the season.
On to Greek food.
I made us Greek Plates! Not bowls because I do bowl food all the time, so I went with plates. You COULD put this all in a bowl, but to me plates seem better with Greek food anyway.
These plates? They have a little bit of everything. And when I say everything, I mean everything good. We are talking Greek chicken, marinated veggies, rice pilaf, Tzatziki, tomatoes, feta and homemade pita.
Have you ever had Greek Souvlaki? I made salmon souvlaki last summer and fell in love with the the flavors. So I used that recipe, but swapped chicken for the salmon. If you wanted to, you could use salmon, beef or even pork or lamb. I think pork is what the Greek’s traditionally use, but I bet lamb would be delicious too!
Instead of skewering the chicken with skewers I used the stems of rosemary. I have seen this all over the internet this summer and have been wanting to try it. The stems are awesome because they work so perfectly as a skewer while the rosemary flavors the meat. And it’s nice because they bend. It makes fitting them on a plate actually do-able. Hooray!
I had the chicken souvlaki down but I needed some carbs to go with it. Every meal needs a little carbs. It does.
So I made this really easy rice pilaf. It’s a mix of orzo pasta (I used whole wheat) and basmati rice. It’s super simple and perfect for scooping and eating with a little chicken + summer veggies.
Ah, the yummy grilled summer veggies. I marinated them in a little of the souvlaki marinade. The marinade keeps things quick and simple, but adds nice flavor to the vegetables. To top the dish off – Tzatziki. I do not think any proper Greek meal is complete with out a little Tzatziki sauce and feta cheese. Of course any Greek dish also needs to be paired with fresh homemade pita to be truly complete.
Oh, and tons of fresh herbs. I used a lot of dill, basil and oregano. So good.
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Greek Chicken Souvlaki and Rice Pilaf Plates w/Marinated Veggies + Feta Tzatziki.
By halfbakedharvest
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Greek
Keyword: chicken, souvlaki
A fresh and summery greek chicken dish
Ingredients
Veggies + Chicken Souvlaki
- 1 pound boneless chicken breast diced into chunks
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika or paprika
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill
- 1 tablespoon fresh oregano
- 3 cloves garlic minced or grated
- 1/2 teaspoon salt + 1 teaspoon pepper
- 6 sprigs fresh rosemary optional
- 2 red pepper cut into fourths
- 1 inch zucchini sliced into 1/4 rounds
- 1 inch small eggplant sliced 1/4 inch rounds
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 batch [Tzatziki | https://dev.halfbakedharvest.com/greek-salmon-souvlaki-gyros-with-tzatziki/]
- 4 ounces feta cheese crumbled
- warmed [pita bread | https://dev.halfbakedharvest.com/traditional-greek-pita-bread/] for serving
Rice Pilaf
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup orzo pasta use gluten free if needed
- 1 cup white or brown basmati or jasmine rice
- 1 clove garlic minced or grated
- 2 1/2 cups chicken broth or water
- 1/3 cup kalamata olives
- 1/4 cup fresh herbs or 2 tablespoons basil pesto
- 2 tablespoons pine nuts
Instructions
-
In a medium size bowl or glass measuring cup combine the lemon juice, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, smoked paprika, dill, oregano, garlic, salt and pepper. Add the chicken to a gallon size ziplock bag and pour half the marinade over the chicken, toss well, making sure the chicken is completely coated in the seasonings. Place in the fridge. Add the veggies to a bowl and toss with the remaining marinade. Set aside.
-
To make the rice. Heat a 10-12 inch sided skillet over medium heat. Add the butter and orzo pasta. Allow the pasta to get slightly golden and toasted, about 2 minutes. Add the rice and toast the rice another 2 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 30 seconds longer or until the garlic is fragrant. Slowly pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, cover and reduce the heat to a simmer. Simmer for 20-25 minutes.
-
Meanwhile, pre heat the grill to medium high heat.
-
Grab your rosemary and strip the herbs away from its woody stem. Thread the chicken onto the rosemary stems (or just use skewers), placing them on a plate as you go.
-
Grill the chicken for 3-4 minutes per side, gently flipping 2-3 times until chicken is cooked through and has light char marks. While the chicken is grilling grill the zucchini and eggplant slices for about 4 minutes on each side, or until tender. Grill the red peppers for about 5 minutes flipping once or twice during cooking. You may also use a grill pan to do this or even just cook everything on the stove. Remove everything from the grill.
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Fluff the rice with a fork and then stir in the kalamata olives, pine nuts and fresh herbs.
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Divide the rice among plates or bowls. Add some grilled veggies + tomatoes to each plate and then 1-2 chicken skewers. Sprinkle with feta cheese and serve with warm [pita bread | https://dev.halfbakedharvest.com/traditional-greek-pita-bread/] and [Tzatziki | https://dev.halfbakedharvest.com/greek-salmon-souvlaki-gyros-with-tzatziki/].
Recipe Notes
*I always prepare my [Tzatziki | https://dev.halfbakedharvest.com/greek-salmon-souvlaki-gyros-with-tzatziki/] before I start on anything else. That way it has time to sit in the fridge and the flavors can mend together.
Now how healthy (and good) does that look? Told you, the perfect food for a Monday.
I truly love this plate plenty of good things!
Lovely interpretation of greek and mediterranean cuisine!
hugs&kisses!
FedeB
Thank you so much!
Omg, it’s 11am here and I would totally smash my face into that plate. I could eat chicken souvlaki all day, every day. Love!
THANK YOU!! Hope you had a good Monday, Alida!
Oh my!! so amazing!! I am drooling now.. I love greek cuisine.. this chicken souvlaki looks so delicious and sumptuous.. Yummy!!
Thanks so much!
That plate is screaming summer with all those grilled veggies. I love the dish the veggies are in it looks like something my grandma had so old school. Can’t wait to try this….I see a Greek BBQ theme in my future.
Thanks so much! Loving the idea of Greek BBQ!
Greek food is my favorite, or one of them! And chicken souvlaki is my order every single time. This is perfect for Monday.
Thanks Bri! Hope you had a good Monday (you know for a Monday at least)!
I could eat a big bowl of this RIGHT now.
Greek for breakfast! 🙂
Wow – this looks so delicious!! Greek food is my favorite. It is perfect summer food. Light but filling at the same time. Love your GIF too!!
Thank you so much!
Oh my gosh, this looks insanely delicious – and it’s making me miss the summers I spent in Greece SO badly! I love the idea of combining orzo and basmati rice…actually, I love pretty much everything on this plate. Yum!
Thank you so much. Summer in Greece sound like a dream! 🙂
i want to face plant into that GIF!!!!
Ok, but I can’t pay for you new computer screen. 🙂
Ha, thank so much Molly! Hope Monday was good!
I am with you on enjoying the last little of summer, especially the food! Cannot get enough of tomatoes, lemonade, and popsicles. Gorgeous photos!
Hope you had a great weekend! 🙂
Thank you so much, chelsea!
This is so beautiful! It looks so good I wouldn’t know where to start!
Thank you so much!
Quick question. Wouldn’t using brown rice require more broth/water than needed for white. Looks very delicious.
Hey Anita,
I am not sure, when I cook brown rice I do it the same way I cook white rice. With that said, my brown rice never cooks properly…
Thanks so much and I hope you love this!
Hooray for plate food!! Love the rosemary skewer idea. Btw, I’m the same way with my chocolate – keep the fruit separate please 🙂
Thank you!!
And yay!! So glad we are on the same page chocolate wise! 🙂
I love using rosemary as skewers. It creates a beautiful subtle flavor. I could seriously eat Greek food every day!
Thank you so much, LIz! I loved the rosemary skewers too!
Beautiful as always Tieghan, blown away by this!
Thank you so much!! It means a lot! 🙂
Hope you guys had good Monday.
Yes, chocolate is very serious business. No messing around! Love this dish. The colors and flavors are incredible!
Glad you agree! Thanks!
I’m totally wanting this for breakfast! Gorgeous!
Thanks Serena!
Me oh my… this is all right up my alley! Greek food forever!
Yes, greek for always! Thanks Ashley!
That chicken! Looks so beautiful I could cry.
Thank you! 🙂
Can’t wait to make this! Chicken souvlaki is one of my faves. There’s no good Greek food in my town, so I’m forced to make my own, & I’m always ready to try a different recipe. 🙂
Thanks! Hope you love these plates!
Oh my gosh this looks amazing! I can’t wait to try it. I always feel like I should be eating more veggies… This is the type of recipe that makes me WANT to eat ore veggies!
Haha! This so is that recipe!
Thanks Michelle!
this looks awesome.. definitely know what i will be recreating for dinner tonight, i am a massive greek food fan!
Thank you so much!! Hope you love it!
I made my first pita bread this weekend and was so much easier then I expected! Can’t wait to give yours a try too!
Thanks Sarah!
I will never ever get tired of Greek food!!! This is so gorgeous Tieghan!!
Same here. Thanks Nicole!
This whole platter needs to get on my dinner table!!
Wish I could share! 🙂
I love chicken souvlaki, this is pretty much my dream dinner!
Thank you!! Wishing I could have shared a plate!
This looks amazing. I love the combination of flavors here. Pinned!
Thank you so much!
What a beautiful set of photos. This looks like such a wonderful meal!
Thank you, Brenda!
This looks so delicious and healthy. I want some. I am wishing that I will one member of your family so that i can eat all the good food you make 🙂
Ha! Thank you so much! 🙂
Oh my goodness – I’m so in love! This looks utterly fantastic.
Thank you!
Looks AMAZING!!! I will definitely be making this. I did have a question about marinating the chicken and the vegetables, though. Can I set this up in the morning and grill later around dinnertime or do you recommend a shorter period of time?
Hey Jamie! That would work great! Hope you love this. Thanks! 🙂
I made this last night, and it was delicious! We were a little short on time, so I made a few tweaks: skipped the skewers, chopped everything a little more, and cooked the chicken and veggies on the stovetop. It was still great (although I’m sure grilling would have been much yummier, especially with those rosemary skewers). Still delicious!
so happy you loved this! Thank you!
I made this… It was so delicious, even better then a restarunat (well nearly) We loved the marinade!!! How on earth do you think up such good stuff? Please tell me :0
Thanks Cindy!!! So happy this was a hit! 🙂
Making this tonight over backyard woodfire. Your recipes are such an inspiration to take some time and do something wonderful with everyday ingrediants! :))
THANK YOU! Hope you love this dinner!
Hey there! Just wanted to clarify – how much olive oil?
About 1/4 cup. Hope you love this!
looks fabulous!
Do u soak ur Rosemary skewers in water prior to grilling?
Nope no soaking! 🙂
Thanks!
Eating this as I type. I made everything per instructions…omg sooo good. Hubby likes it too! I was floored by how well the pita turned out..and so easy! I’ll never buy it again. Thank you thank you!
SO Excited you loved it! THANKS!!
We operate a small B&B and offer date night packages. In two weeks we will have a couple here that I want to do something special for. I’m thinking of a Mid Summer Night’s Dream theme. Since the setting for Shakespeare’s play is Ancient Greece this is the perfect meal! Earthy, colorful and Greek! Thank you for having it all in one posting. Looking forward to serving this.
Oh wow!! That is so awesome! I hope everyone loves the meal!!
Hi,
I’ve made these several times in the last month. The first time, I made everything. My husband loved the chicken and veggies, but wasn’t crazy about the rice. I loved the chicken, thought the rice was too bland and the veggies picked up too much sourness from the marinade…everything tasted the same. The second time, I skipped the veggies, and made a salad with tomatoes, greens, red onion and Feta. I doubled up on the fresh herbs for the rice, and also added some salt. So much better! We both love the rice now, and the chicken is crazy-good. This is def. a keeper. (p.s. I made the yogurt sauce but no one ate it because it just didn’t seem to be necessary for this dish.)
Hi! I SO want to make this (I love so many of your recipes). I live in the city though… any suggestions for how to make without a grill? Would you roast? Or I guess I could use a grill pan? Thank you <3
Nevermind! I just saw you suggested a grill pan or just plain stove 😉 Can’t wait to try!
Best, m
Now I have tried two of your recipes, this one and the crispy pork ramen, and I am Gobsmacked. Your interpretation of foods that we are all familiar with but a bit intimidated to undertake because we did not grow up with the cooking tradition of a region are effortless but perfectly balanced. I get all the flavor I crave without having to slog through a recipe calling for ingredients I have no familiarity with or access to. Thank you so much.
I did add one thing to this when I made it. I also threw some lamb in the marinade. It was amazing too.
Oh wow! Thank you so much for these kind words! Hope you are having a great week!
Made this (finally!) tonight and I absolutely loooove the marinade! Flavors worked superbly with the veggies and the chicken. And naturally the tzatziki goes well with all of it. A must with a recipe like this. I added a sprinkle of torn mint leaves on top of it all. Disclaimer, this time I used store-bought pita and orzo pilaf, but I will definitely be making this again and try the homemade versions.
YAY! Mint leaves are perfect touch!!
The homemade will hopefully outdo the store bought! (:
Thanks for making and commenting Sarah(:
If I baked the chicken in the oven, bake at 400 for about 25 minutes?
Yes that sounds good. Just make sure the chicken is cooked all the way through before you enjoy!! Let me know if you have any other questions! Thanks Sherry!
looks amazing. what kinds of fresh herbs do u out in the rice?
This meal was great! Even my husband, who is afraid of Greek food, loved it!
Wow!! So happy it was a hit, thank you Catherine!
I made the rice pilaf the other night and paired It with your chicken shawarma marinaded chicken breasts and a greek salad. The rice pilaf I finished off with a heaping tablespoon of basil pesto… to say this was good.. would be an understatement. My boyfriend loves ricearoni but I wont buy it because of all the crap in it… I now can feed him what he craves without all preservatives. Well done on this dish!!!
YAY so soo happy you liked it Breah! love finding alternatives to not so healthy foods!
Amazing! My entire family LOVED IT!
Thank you!
I am so happy to hear that and I am so glad your family loved this, Barbara! Thank you!
My husband and I have this as our favorite Sunday meal. We made it for my father when he came to visit and he said it was “one of the best meals of his life”. We have had it on once a month repeat for about a year. We love all your recipes. Thanks for sharing!!
That is so amazing! Thank you so much Rebecca! xTieghan
This is so delicious! Looks a bit complicated but in fact was easy to put together and so worth it! The only thing I would add is mushrooms and red onions to the vegetables. The rice is so yummy and the marinade to die for. Make sure you use the smoked paprika!
Thank you so much Miriam! xTieghan
Amazing! We made this tonight and loved it! A great recipe for company too! Thank you!!!
Thank you so much Ramona! xTieghan
Bam! Luckily my wife was late coming home from work, because this took me a little longer (just a little) than I planned. Could be because I used 3 of your recipes to make one DELICIOUS MEAL!!!
Main course was the Greek Chicken Souvlaki & Rice Pilaf w/Veggies. But then used your Tzatziki recipe from a Greek Gyro recipe, and then thought we needed something else, so made the delicious Feta Fries (I added a BIG squeeze of lemon to them, to remind us of traditional lemon potatoes.
Everything worked out great – and was super delish. Thanks!
Ok wow that is so amazing!! I am sure it was an amazing dinner! Thank you so much David! xTieghan
This is now heavily in my meal prep plan rotation and working beautifully! This dish was absolutely amazing and so full of flavor – everything came together so perfectly. I’m usually not a huge fan of veggies but these were so delicious I’ve made it both with and without meat.
Greek food is one of my favorites and I never thought I’d be able to make something at home I’d prefer to ordering out but thanks to you and your wonderful recipes I have!! My mom also came by for a quick visit and being unprepared, I had leftovers of this prepped in meal containers so I gave her one for lunch. She was blown away…even by leftovers! She’s already made this for herself now too and it’s one of her new favorites!
Wow that is so great to hear!! Thank you so much for trying this recipe, Amanda! I hope you continue to enjoy this and others of mine! xTieghan
Amazing!! We loved it.
Thanks so much Lorry! xTieghan