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.

New, no ratings yet0 reviewsby Simmerbee Kitchen

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.

    More for olive oil

  • 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.

    More for lemon juice

  • 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.

    More for citrus zest

  • 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.

    More for garlic

  • 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.

    More for oregano

  • 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.

    More for salt

  • 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.

    All 4 swaps for onion

  • 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.

    More for garlic

  • 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.

    More for lemon juice

  • 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.

    More for dill

  • 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.

    More for salt

  • 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

  1. Heat the oven to 425°F (220°C) with a rack in the upper third.
    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
    a sheet pan with parchment.
    425°F
  2. In a large bowl,
    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
    the oil, lemon juice, zest, garlic, oregano, salt and pepper.
  3. Add the chicken, toss to coat and let it sit while the oven heats.
    ⏱ Quick marinate: 15 min
  4. Add the peppers and onion to the bowl and toss again.
  5. Spread everything on the pan in a single layer with a little space between pieces. Wash your hands.
  6. Roast, stirring once halfway, until the chicken is browned at the edges and reads 165°F (74°C).
    425°F⏱ Roast: 22 min
  7. For extra char, switch to
    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
    and broil until the edges darken. Watch closely.
    ⏱ Broil: 2 min
  8. While the chicken roasts, stir all the tzatziki ingredients together.
  9. 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.

Quick answers

Can I make it ahead?

Marinate the chicken up to 4 hours ahead in the fridge.

What can I swap?

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
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.

More complete dinner menus

Keep this one

Sign in to save recipes into your own collections, log the days you cook them and keep private notes, like "use less sugar next time". Only you see them.

Sign in to saveNo password: we email you a code.

Gear for this recipe

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Brands are suggestions; any similar item works.

Cleanup score 3/5 (some cleanup): 3 things to wash, sheet pan, mixing bowl, box grater. More sheet-pan recipes.

More kitchen gear and our gear guides

Reviews (0)

No reviews yet. Made it? Tell us how it went.