Za'atar Chicken Skewers with Tzatziki and Tomato Cucumber Salad
Za’atar Chicken Skewers with Tzatziki and Tomato Cucumber Salad...the ultimate summer dinner. Herby bites of chicken, tender artichoke, a simple but delicious cucumber and tomato salad, and crisp tzatziki sauce. The sauce is garlicky, a little lemony, and full of light and fresh flavor from the dill and cucumber. This one is perfect for a backyard barbecue when you don’t want something too hot and heavy. Grill the chicken up, serve it with a side of fluffy pita bread, and you’ll have yourself one heck of a spread.
Let’s talk about the chicken skewers first. The marinade is made using za’atar, olive oil, garlic and lemon juice, it’s so simple and yet so flavorful. Za’atar is an herby, nutty, slightly tangy seasoning mix that is full of incredibly dynamic flavors. It works so well in this marinade and pairs wonderfully with the freshness of the other two elements of this dish.
Depending on your preference, you can either cook the skewers on a baking sheet in the oven or grill them up on a grill pan (or the actual grill if you have access to one!). Both will yield incredibly tasty results.
The cucumber and tomato salad is also incredibly easy to whip up. Toss some chopped cucumber, tomato, and red onion in a bowl with some red wine vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper and you’re ready to rock. It’s fresh, crisp, and the perfect light little side to have with the chicken. Plus, tomato season is upon us, so there’s really no better time to make this one!
Now, my personal favorite of the recipe...the tzatziki. Admittedly, I’m a little biased, because I am truly obsessed with tzatziki. Coat my life in it, please. It’s one of my absolute favorite summer go-to sauces. Greek yogurt, dill, garlic, lemon juice, and a little salt...mmmm! I cannot get enough of it in these warmer months. To me, tzatziki and summer time are synonymous.
What I really love about this recipe is how full of complex flavor it is, yet it is sooo easy to make. Get a fork full of the cucumber tomato salad, a bite of chicken, and dip it in the tzatziki OR wrap it all up in a pita or flatbread and eat it all together. However you eat it, this recipe is bound to be on repeat this summer!
If you do give these Za’atar Chicken Skewers with Tzatziki and Tomato Cucumber Salad a try, be sure to comment below and/or tag me on Instagram and let me know how you like it! I really love to hear your thoughts.
Thanks for stopping by!
Take Care xx
Slim
Za’atar Chicken Skewers with Tzatziki and Tomato Cucumber Salad
Prep time: 20 minutes
Chill Time: 30 min
Cook time: 20 minutes
Total time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Serves: 6-8
Ingredients
For the chicken:
2lb skinless, boneless chicken breast, cut into ~1in or bite sized pieces
Juice of 1 lemon
¼ cup olive oil
3 tbsp za’atar seasoning
2 tsp garlic
Salt and pepper
2 (14oz) cans of Artichoke hearts, drained
Olive oil or nonstick spray for cooking
For the salad:
1 large cucumber, diced
2 medium tomatoes, diced
1 red onion diced
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
For the tzatziki:
1 cup nonfat, plain greek yogurt
Juice of 1 lemon
2 tsp chopped garlic
¼ cup dill, roughly chopped
½ cup grated cucumber
Salt to taste
Optional: Pita or flatbread for serving.
Instructions
In a large bowl, add the juice of 1 lemon, ¼ cup olive oil, za’atar, 2 tsp garlic, and salt and pepper. Whisk together until well combined and then add in the chicken. Toss until completely and evenly coated. Place in the fridge to marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight.
For the salad, add the cucumber, tomato, red onion, red wine vinegar, olive oil and salt and pepper to a bowl and toss together until well coated and mixed.
A few minutes before the chicken finishes marinating, preheat the oven to 400°F and prep an edged baking sheet with nonstick spray. Thread the chicken and artichoke hearts onto the skewers. Roast for 18-20 minutes in the oven, or until chicken is cooked all the way through. OR you can heat some olive oil in a grill pan over medium-high heat and grill the skewers, rotating every so often until cooked all the way through.
While the chicken is cooking, make the tzatziki. Place the grated cucumber in between a couple layers of paper towel and squeeze excess water out. In a bowl, add the yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, dill, cucumber, and salt. Whisk together until well combined.
Serve everything with some warmed pita or flatbread and enjoy!
