Street Food Style Chicken Satays
Served in individual foil sheets, “street food style”, and the avocado tzatziki sauce recipe appears below as well.
I developed this recipe during the pandemic, when we were socially distancing with friends - and I can’t have guests without putting out some food. So I served these as individual “packets” wrapped in the foil, and they reminded me of street food. You could certainly “gyro” these out with the addition of tomatoes and onions too. I like the “satay” technique, lightly flattening the chicken and cutting it into strips. It keeps the portion smaller, yet fills the skewer so it looks substantial. They grill up really fast, too, so they’re a “no big deal” item to serve in a pinch.
Yield: 12
Street Food Style Greek Chicken Satays with Avocado Sauce
Prep time: 30 MinCook time: 5 MinInactive time: 60 MinTotal time: 1 H & 35 M
Ingredients
Chicken Skewers
Avocado Tzatziki Sauce
Method
- Soak about 12 wooden skewers (enough for each piece of chicken) in water for 30 minutes. This prevents them from burning on the grill.
- Cut 6 pieces of foil about 8 inches wide, to use for serving the finished skewers and sauce.
- Trim excess fat from chicken thighs.
- Using a sheet of plastic wrap large enough to cover one piece at a time, place chicken thigh on half of the sheet, then fold the other half over the top.
- Using the flat side of a meat mallet, pound until about 1/4 inch thin with even thickness. (Be cautious to not make too thin, as it will burn on the grill).
- Cut thigh in half lengthwise to make a long strip about 1-1/2 inches wide. Repeat with the remaining chicken thighs. Place the pieces side-by-side on a sheet pan or baking dish large enough to accommodate.
- Mix remaining souvlaki ingredients together using a mortar and pestle to mash the garlic cloves and combine the spices. Or just mince garlic and stir spices and olive oil in a small bowl, creating a paste.
- Rub the paste in a thin layer on both sides of the chicken pieces. Allow to marinate for 30 to 60 minutes before proceeding.
- While chicken is marinating, prepare the avocado tzatziki sauce by combining all ingredients in a food processor. Or, simply place all in a bowl and mash with a wire whisk, stirring until you have a thick consistency. (I usually make this same day, as the avocado will oxidize and turn brown)
- Place each piece of chicken onto a skewer, as if you’re weaving it, threading back and forth. then spread the chicken out along the length of the skewer to make it as flat as possible.
- Prepare grill and cook chicken about 2-3 minutes each side.
- Place a dollop of avocado yogurt sauce onto pre-cut pieces of foil, then place the skewer on top, and fold foil in half to enclose. Serve hot with extra sauce if desired.
