Air Fryer Chicken Souvlaki Recipe

Juicy, boldly seasoned chicken skewers, a fresh and tangy chopped salad, pillowy flatbreads, and a cloud of cool tzatziki—this is Greek street food made absolutely doable on even the busiest weeknights! Air Fryer Chicken Souvlaki brings the Mediterranean to your table in minutes, thanks to a speedy marinade and the unbeatable ease of the air fryer. Every bite is a festival of flavors and textures: tender, charred chicken wrapped in a toasty flatbread, with crisp veggies and briny feta. Easy prep, vibrant taste—this is fast Greek food, the way it should be.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gather your ingredients for this Mediterranean feast (no fussy stuff here—just simple, real food that comes alive together).

• Chicken Thighs: The secret weapon for souvlaki. Thighs are juicier and more forgiving than breast; they stay tender and flavorful, even if you’re multitasking.
• Full-Fat Greek Yogurt: This is your meat tenderizer and flavor carrier, keeping the chicken moist and tangy.
• Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed, it brightens every bite and infuses the marinade with zing.
• Olive Oil: Classic Greek cooking staple—adds richness and helps everything caramelize beautifully in the air fryer.
• Garlic: Use plenty! It gives the marinade a gorgeous kick.
• Dried Oregano, Smoked Paprika, Ground Coriander: These three build that signature Greek souvlaki taste. Don’t skimp—smoked paprika especially brings a subtle warmth.
• Salt and Black Pepper: Essential for perfect seasoning all the way through.
• Oil Spray: For that golden, slightly crisp exterior. Use whatever neutral oil you have.
• Tomatoes, Cucumber, Green Pepper, Red Onion: These build a classic Greek salad—vivid, crunchy, and refreshing.
• Kalamata Olives & Feta: You need these for the brine and salt—crumbly feta especially!
• Fresh Dill: A sprinkle lifts everything with fragrance. If you don’t have fresh, parsley works.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil & Red Wine Vinegar: These become a simple, sharp salad dressing.
• Flatbreads: Soft and warm, they wrap up all the goodness.
• Tzatziki: Make it ahead or use store-bought. This makes your wrap creamy and cool.
• Frozen Chips/Fries: Optional, but so satisfying alongside or even tucked inside the wrap.

Variations

• Go Breast: If you only have chicken breasts, they’ll work, just keep a close eye during air frying—they cook faster and can dry out if overdone.
• Spicy Souvlaki: Add a pinch of chili flakes to the marinade if you want a little heat.
• Different Herbs: Mint or parsley, instead of or as well as dill, works especially well in the salad.
• No Flatbreads? Serve over a bed of rice, or wrap the skewers in lettuce leaves for a low-carb option.
• Vegetarian Twist: Try halloumi or extra-firm tofu instead of chicken—marinate and air fry until golden!
• More Veggies: Slide chunks of red onion, bell pepper, or cherry tomatoes on the skewers with the chicken for color and extra flavor.

How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Souvlaki

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

Mix together Greek yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, oregano, smoked paprika, coriander, salt, and black pepper in a bowl. Toss in your chunks of chicken thigh and coat thoroughly. Cover and let it all marinate in the fridge—four hours is ideal, but even two will infuse loads of flavor. Tip: Let it come partway to room temperature before cooking for juiciest results.

Step 2: Thread and Prep

Thread the marinated chicken onto skewers, packing the pieces close but not too tight. (Wooden skewers are great—just be sure they fit your air fryer basket. Metal ones work too, but be careful, they get very hot.)

Step 3: Air Fry

Pop the skewers into the air fryer basket. If you’re making fries on the side, you can nestle them right in between the skewers to cook together. Spray the chicken lightly with oil for a gorgeously golden finish. Air fry at 200°C/400°F for about 15 minutes, turning once halfway through. Chicken should be lightly charred and cooked through.

Step 4: Make the Salad

While the souvlaki cooks, chop the tomatoes, cucumber, green pepper, red onion, and olives. Whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt, and black pepper for your dressing. Toss the salad together, then finish with crumbled feta, fresh dill, and a squeeze of lemon.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Brush any remaining oil from the air fryer basket over the hot skewers for a delicious shine. Pile your chicken skewers onto warm flatbreads, top with salad and a generous dollop of tzatziki, and serve with fries on the side—or tucked right in for an authentic gyros experience.

How to Serve

Lay out a platter of warm flatbreads, steaming chicken skewers, tangy salad, creamy tzatziki, and fries. Let everyone build their own wrap—piling the chicken, scooping salad, swooping tzatziki over everything. It’s as fun as it is delicious. Air Fryer Chicken Souvlaki shines with extra lemon wedges, and pairs beautifully with a crisp white wine or sparkling water.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover chicken, salad, and flatbread separate in airtight containers in the fridge. Chicken and salad will stay fresh for about 3 days.

Freezing

The chicken, once cooked and cooled, can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Do not freeze salad or tzatziki—they lose their texture.

Reheating

Gently reheat chicken in the air fryer for a few minutes or in a covered skillet over medium-low heat. Flatbreads can be warmed in the microwave or toaster oven.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Air Fryer Chicken Souvlaki is pure weeknight magic—bright, fresh, and hands-down delicious without the fuss. The combination of fluffy flatbreads, juicy marinated chicken, herby salad, and creamy tzatziki is basically unbeatable. Don’t hesitate to make it your own—experiment with the salad, try new toppings, switch up the protein. After just one bite, expect this fast Greek feast to become a regular in your dinner rotation. Give it a try and bring a little taste of the Mediterranean to your own kitchen!

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