Ah, Chicken Souvlaki, the star of the show.
It brings together tender chicken with vibrant flavors, making it a hit at any table. But a standout meal isn’t just about the main dish.
It’s also about the supporting players — the side dishes.
These aren’t just extras; they complement the chicken, enhancing the meal’s overall enjoyment.
Whether you’re planning a casual dinner or a special occasion, picking the right sides can elevate Chicken Souvlaki from great to unforgettable.
Here, we’ll guide you through seven unbeatable sides that sync perfectly with your Souvlaki, ensuring a balanced and delicious meal.
Why Consider Serving Side Dishes with Chicken Souvlaki?
Chicken Souvlaki is generically a street food that is eaten right off the skewer; however, a few side dishes are always welcome.
Side Dishes make the palate distinguish better between flavors and thus provide a better understanding of a dish’s flavor profile.
Traditionally speaking, Greek side dishes taste amazing when served alongside Souvlaki.
However, many other kinds of foods can accompany this dish.
What to Serve with Chicken Souvlaki? 7 BEST Side Dishes
Here are 7 of the best side dishes that you can whip up to satiate your taste buds alongside Chicken Souvlaki:
1. Greek Lemon Rice
Greek Lemon Rice is a colorful and flavorful rice dish originally from Greece.
It is made with onion, garlic, lemon juice, and fresh Mediterranean herbs that give it its authentic look and taste.
Souvlaki is a traditional Mediterranean dish that tastes best with a side that has origins in the same region.
The lemon juice and herbs in this dish give it a refreshing twist.
In combination with Souvlaki, it tastes delicious.
If you find rice bland, give this a try the next time you make some souvlaki.
2. Greek Green Beans
Green beans are a delicacy in every cuisine of the world.
Greek green beans, however, have a flavor of their own because of the way they are cooked.
Greek green beans are cooked by tenderizing some onions, garlic, and tomatoes in olive oil and then tossing the green beans in it while adding some spices.
Green beans are a great side to chicken, and greek green beans prove it.
Its meek flavors and easy texture make it an ideal side dish for your Chicken Souvlaki.
3. Tzatziki
Tzatziki is a dip or sauce entirely yogurt-based – specifically Greek yogurt.
It is prepared by salting or diluting the yogurt and adding cucumbers, garlic, olive oil, salt, and herbs.
Lemon juice adds a tangy flavor to it. This Middle-Eastern originated dip is an excellent choice for a side.
And since it is yogurt-based, it is very good for gut health.
Souvlaki tastes fantastic with sauces or dips, and no dip can match up to this dish better than the authentic Tzatziki.
Experiment with this dip the next time you are entertaining guests for a meal, and see the compliments come your way.
4. Greek Lemon Roasted Potatoes
Like any other typical dish, the Greeks have their version of Roasted Potatoes.
This dish acts as a staple company for other main dishes.
Here, potatoes are braised first in a lemon-garlic broth to absorb the flavors and then roasted until golden.
It is pretty easy to make, though it still requires a few tries to get perfect.
Experience your Souvlaki getting even more flavorful with the help of this as a side dish.
5. Israeli Salad
You can never go wrong with a salad as a side for the main chicken course.
Israeli salad is also known as the national dish of Israel.
It is a simple salad consisting of finely diced bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, etc.
This salad evens out the rich flavors of a Souvlaki and acts as a nutritional side to your meal.
Apart from being a side dish for main courses, you can also include it in your breakfast diet for a healthy start to the day.
6. Mediterranean Rice Pilaf
Pilaf is a rice-based dish that differs in cooking methods. It is richer and heavier in taste and flavor.
Rice Pilaf is tossed in butter before cooking in broth with some vegetables and aromatic spices.
It is generally heavier than regular cooked rice; however, it is an amazing dish to serve during special dinners.
Souvlaki tastes fantastic with Pilaf, but you would have first to try this combination to judge for yourself.
If you have access to the ingredients and time, give Pilaf a shot.
7. Couscous Greek Salad
As mentioned above, Souvlaki and salads are a hit; here, this particular recipe is bound to touch the right taste buds.
Couscous is a healthy processed food that is obtained from semolina.
This salad consists of the ingredients that a normal Mediterranean salad has; however, this one also consists of olives, couscous, basil, and oregano.
Couscous has a nutty and sweet flavor, making this salad a fantastic food to complement our Chicken Souvlaki.
Because of highly contrasting flavors, your taste buds will be in for a treat.
If you consider salads as a side for Chicken Souvlaki, don’t forget to consider this Couscous Greek salad in your options.
Conclusion
Side dishes are a hit only when you understand your main dish’s flavor profile and texture well.
If you do not, however, you might end up selecting the wrong side for your dish and hurt the flavor profile of both dishes.
If you have a good understanding of it, however, you are free to experiment with your cooking and your palate at the same time.
These are 7 of the many dishes that can go well with Chicken Souvlaki.
Some more variations and combinations can be tried out with the Souvlaki until we find the next superhit combination.
What to Serve with Chicken Souvlaki? 7 BEST Side Dishes
Ingredients
- Greek Lemon Rice
- Greek Green Beans
- Tzatziki
- Greek Lemon Roasted Potatoes
- Israeli Salad
- Mediterranean Rice Pilaf
- Couscous Greek Salad
Instructions
- Pick your favorite recipe from the article.
- Organize your ingredients and utensils.
- Follow the detailed instructions in the recipe to make your side dish.
- Prepare and serve for delicious meal!
Andrew Gray is a seasoned food writer and blogger with a wealth of experience in the restaurant and catering industries. With a passion for all things delicious, Andrew has honed his culinary expertise through his work as a personal chef and caterer.
His love for food led him to venture into food writing, where he has contributed to various online publications, sharing his knowledge and insights on the culinary world. As the proud owner of AmericasRestaurant.com, Andrew covers a wide range of topics, including recipes, restaurant reviews, product recommendations, and culinary tips.
Through his website, he aims to inspire and educate fellow food enthusiasts, offering a comprehensive resource for all things food-related.
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