Chicken Souvlaki · Sheet Pan
Sheet-Pan Chicken Souvlaki with Peppers and Onions
The lemon-oregano souvlaki flavors you love, roasted on one pan with peppers and red onion. No skewers and no grill; the oven does the work.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Total
- 1 hr
- Serves
- 4
- Level
- Easy
Ingredients
- Chicken and vegetables
- 2 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
Swaps for boneless skinless chicken thighs
Instead of chicken breasts or thighs
- Chicken breasts: The same weight. Leaner and milder; cooks faster and dries out sooner.
- Extra-firm tofu or chickpeas: About the same weight of pressed tofu, or 1½ cups chickpeas per ½ lb chicken. A different dish, but it takes the same seasoning well.
More for chicken breasts or thighs
Cook all chicken to 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part, checked with a thermometer.
- 3 tbsp olive oil
Swaps for olive oil
Instead of olive oil
- Avocado oil or another neutral oil: The same amount. No olive flavor; avocado oil handles higher heat.
- Butter: The same amount. Richer and nutty when browned.
- A neutral oil + more seasoning: The same amount. Dressings lose the fruity, peppery note; a little extra lemon, garlic or mustard makes up for it.
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
Swaps for lemon juice
Instead of lemon juice
- Lime juice: The same amount. A different, more floral aroma; works almost everywhere.
- Bottled lemon juice: The same amount. More sour and flatter; fine in cooking and baking, less bright in dressings and drinks.
- White wine vinegar or white vinegar: Half as much. Sharper, with no citrus aroma.
- 1 tsp lemon zest
Swaps for lemon zest
Instead of citrus zest
- Another citrus zest: The same amount. A different citrus aroma; any of them brightens a dish.
- Dried citrus peel: 1 tsp dried for each 1 tbsp fresh zest. Milder and a little bitter.
- Lemon or orange extract: About ¼ tsp extract for each 1 tsp zest, to taste. Strong citrus flavor, no texture.
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Swaps for garlic
Instead of garlic
- Garlic powder: ⅛ tsp for each clove. Mellower and sweeter, with no bite.
- Jarred minced garlic: ½ tsp for each clove. Milder and slightly sour from the preserving liquid.
- 2 tsp dried oregano
Swaps for dried oregano
Instead of oregano
- Fresh oregano: 1 tbsp chopped fresh for each 1 tsp dried (three times as much). Brighter and more peppery; use a little less than you think.
- Dried marjoram, Italian seasoning or dried basil: The same amount. Marjoram is milder, basil sweeter; Italian seasoning already has oregano in it.
- 1 tsp kosher salt
Swaps for kosher salt
Instead of salt
- Table salt or fine sea salt: About half as much as Diamond Crystal kosher, about ¾ as much as Morton kosher. The same saltiness when measured this way.
- Salt by weight: 1 tsp is about 6 grams of table salt, 5 grams of Morton kosher, 3 grams of Diamond Crystal kosher. The most reliable way to swap, especially in baking and brines.
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 red onion, cut into wedges
Swaps for red onion
Instead of onion
- Another onion: The same amount. Yellow is the all-rounder; white is sharper and crisper; red is milder raw and adds color; sweet onions are mildest.
- Shallots: The same amount, chopped. Milder and sweeter, with a hint of garlic.
- Leeks: About 1½ times as much, white and light green parts. Milder and softer when cooked.
- Quick tzatziki
- 1 cup plain greek yogurt
Swaps for plain greek yogurt
Instead of yogurt and Greek yogurt
- Regular yogurt, strained: About 1⅓ cups regular yogurt for each cup of Greek. Close to Greek yogurt once strained; unstrained, dips and sauces come out runny.
- Sour cream: The same amount. Richer and less tangy.
- Plant-based yogurt: The same amount, plain and unsweetened. Coconut yogurt is rich but tastes of coconut; soy yogurt is closest in protein.
More for yogurt and Greek yogurt
Cooking for an allergy? Check every label.
- ½ cucumber, grated and squeezed dry
- 1 clove garlic, grated
Swaps for garlic
Instead of garlic
- Garlic powder: ⅛ tsp for each clove. Mellower and sweeter, with no bite.
- Jarred minced garlic: ½ tsp for each clove. Milder and slightly sour from the preserving liquid.
- 2 tsp lemon juice
Swaps for lemon juice
Instead of lemon juice
- Lime juice: The same amount. A different, more floral aroma; works almost everywhere.
- Bottled lemon juice: The same amount. More sour and flatter; fine in cooking and baking, less bright in dressings and drinks.
- White wine vinegar or white vinegar: Half as much. Sharper, with no citrus aroma.
- 2 tsp fresh dill, chopped, or 1/2 tsp dried
Swaps for fresh dill
Instead of dill
- Dried dill: 1 tsp dried for each 1 tbsp chopped fresh (a third as much). Dried dill (dill weed) is fair: grassier and weaker, better in dips and dressings that sit for a while.
- Fennel fronds: The same amount. A light anise note; similar look.
- Fresh tarragon: Half as much. Stronger anise flavor.
- ¼ tsp kosher salt
Swaps for kosher salt
Instead of salt
- Table salt or fine sea salt: About half as much as Diamond Crystal kosher, about ¾ as much as Morton kosher. The same saltiness when measured this way.
- Salt by weight: 1 tsp is about 6 grams of table salt, 5 grams of Morton kosher, 3 grams of Diamond Crystal kosher. The most reliable way to swap, especially in baking and brines.
- To serve
- 4 pita breads, warmed
- feta, crumbled (optional)
Cooking for a crowd? Pans, timing and salt for 12 to 50.
Missing something? Tap Swaps next to an ingredient, or see all substitutions.
Cook to 165°F inside (check with a thermometer).
Steps
- Heat the oven to 425°F (220°C) with a rack in the upper third.425°Fa sheet pan with parchment.
Line (how to line a pan)
Line a pan Cover the bottom (and sometimes sides) of a pan with parchment or foil so food doesn't stick and lifts out easily. 1. For a sheet pan, tear parchment the size of the pan and lay it flat.2. For a round cake pan, trace the bottom on parchment, cut the circle out and press it in.3. For brownies and bars, leave two long sides hanging over to make handles (a "sling").4. A little grease under the paper holds it in place. Done when: The paper lies flat with no folds where the batter could run under it. How to line a baking pan with parchment: mistakes to avoid - In a large bowl,the oil, lemon juice, zest, garlic, oregano, salt and pepper.
whisk (how to whisk)
Whisk Beat ingredients with a whisk to mix them smoothly or to add air. 1. Use a bowl big enough to whisk without splashing; set it on a damp towel to stop it spinning.2. Hold the whisk loosely and move it in quick circles or side to side, touching the bottom.3. For lumpy mixtures, add liquid a little at a time and whisk after each.4. For sauces on the stove, keep the whisk moving across the whole bottom of the pan. Done when: The mixture is even with no lumps or streaks of egg. How to whisk: mistakes to avoid - Add the chicken, toss to coat and let it sit while the oven heats.⏱ Quick marinate: 15 min
- Add the peppers and onion to the bowl and toss again.
- Spread everything on the pan in a single layer with a little space between pieces. Wash your hands.
- Roast, stirring once halfway, until the chicken is browned at the edges and reads 165°F (74°C).425°F⏱ Roast: 22 min
- For extra char, switch to⏱ Broil: 2 minand broil until the edges darken. Watch closely.
broil (how to broil)
Broil Cook or brown food with strong heat from the top of the oven, like an upside-down grill. 1. Move an oven rack so the food will sit 3 to 6 inches from the heat.2. Turn the broiler on and give it a few minutes to heat.3. Use a metal pan (never glass that isn't broiler-safe) and put the food in.4. Stay at the oven and check every minute; things go from brown to burnt fast.5. Turn the food if the recipe says to. Done when: The top is browned and bubbly or charred in spots, usually in 1 to 5 minutes. Safety: Don't use parchment or wax paper under the broiler; it can catch fire. Use foil or a bare pan.How to broil: mistakes to avoid - While the chicken roasts, stir all the tzatziki ingredients together.
- Serve with warm pita, tzatziki and crumbled feta.
Tap an underlined word for how to do it, or see all techniques.
Tips
- Parchment can scorch under the broiler. Slide it out first or use foil if you broil.
Storage
Refrigerate up to 3 days. Leftovers make great salad toppers.
Make ahead
Marinate the chicken up to 4 hours ahead in the fridge.
How long leftovers keep, and freezing and reheating: leftovers and storage. In season: bell peppers (July to October), cucumbers (June to September).
Quick answers
- Can I make it ahead?
Marinate the chicken up to 4 hours ahead in the fridge.
- What can I swap?
- Instead of chicken breasts or thighs: Chicken breasts, the same weight.
- Instead of olive oil: Avocado oil or another neutral oil, the same amount.
Cook all chicken to 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part, checked with a thermometer.
Answered from this recipe's own storage, make-ahead and swap notes.
Estimated nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 630 2,640 kJ
- Protein
- 57 g
- Carbohydrates
- 45 g
- Fiber
- 4 g
- Sugars
- 7 g
- Fat
- 24 g
- Saturated fat
- 6 g
- Sodium
- 1,110 mg
Whole recipe, 4 servings: about 2,520 calories.
Estimate from USDA FoodData Central; not medical or dietary advice. Based on 18 of 18 ingredients.
How we estimate
We add up USDA FoodData Central values for each measured ingredient as written and divide by the recipe's 4 servings, so changing the servings or units here doesn't change a serving. Brands, swaps, trimming and cooking all change the real numbers.
Not counted: feta (to taste or as needed).
Estimated cost
About $3.95 a serving
About $15.75 for the recipe as written (4 servings).
Estimate; prices vary by store and region. U.S. average prices for September 2026 from BLS Average Price Data and USDA ERS Purchase to Plate prices updated with the BLS Consumer Price Index. Priced: 12 of 18 ingredients, 99% by weight.
How we estimate
Each measured ingredient is weighed as in the nutrition estimate and priced at the U.S. average: BLS's average price where BLS publishes one, else USDA ERS's Purchase to Plate price for 2017-18 raised to September 2026 with the CPI for that food group. Whole packages, store brands, sales and regions all change the real cost: treat it as a ballpark.
- boneless skinless chicken thighs $8.40 BLS
- pita breads $2.05 ERS
- plain greek yogurt $1.90 ERS
- red bell pepper $0.85 ERS
- cucumber $0.65 ERS
- olive oil $0.60 ERS
- green bell pepper $0.55 ERS
- red onion $0.35 ERS
- lemon juice $0.15 ERS
- garlic $0.10 ERS
- lemon juice $0.05 ERS
- garlic $0.05 ERS
Not priced (no official average price we can match, so not in the total): lemon zest, dried oregano, kosher salt, black pepper, fresh dill.
Not counted: feta (optional, or to taste).
More dishes for less: cheap eats.
Goes well with
Picked by our pairing rules: the same kind of kitchen, room in the oven and on the stove, ready in time, and a balance of starch, vegetables and richness.
- Side Cumin Lime Roasted Carrots 40 min Shares the 425°F oven with the chicken souvlaki. Ready in 40 min, inside the main's 1 hr.
- Side Classic Greek Village Salad 15 min Both Mediterranean. No cooking: make it while the main cooks. Ready in 15 min, inside the main's 1 hr.
- Dessert Cinnamon Apple Galette 3 hr 5 min Make it ahead, so it's ready when dinner is.
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Cleanup score 3/5 (some cleanup): 3 things to wash, sheet pan, mixing bowl, box grater. More sheet-pan recipes.
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