Tillie Doyle
Chicken souvlaki is a Greek dish of marinated meat cooked on skewers. It is usually served in a flatbread or pita with tzatziki, cucumber, tomato, onion, and sometimes chips. The chicken is typically marinated for at least 30 minutes, but can be left for up to 24 hours. When cooked in an air fryer, chicken souvlaki takes around 10-15 minutes at 190-200°C (375-400°F). The skewers should be turned over halfway through the cooking time.
Chicken Souvlaki in an Air Fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Marinade | Greek Yogurt, Olive Oil, Lime Juice, Red Wine or Cider Vinegar, Lemon Juice, Oregano, Salt, Garlic |
| Marinating Time | 30 minutes to 24 hours |
| Chicken | Boneless Skinless Thighs or Breasts |
| Skewers | Wooden or Bamboo, soaked in water |
| Air Fryer Temperature | 190°C (375°F) to 400°F |
| Cooking Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Internal Temperature | Minimum of 74°C (165°F) to 75°C (167°F) |
| Serving Suggestions | Tzatziki Sauce, Greek Potatoes, Rice, Greek Salad, Pita Bread, Hummus, Baby Spinach, Cherry Tomatoes |
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What You'll Learn
Marinating the chicken
To make the marinade, combine Greek yoghurt, lime juice, red wine or cider vinegar, olive oil, oregano, salt, and grated garlic in a bowl. Mix the ingredients until well combined. You can also add lemon juice, lemon zest, paprika, and dried herbs to the marinade. If you want to include white wine, add about 2 tablespoons to the marinade.
Once the marinade is prepared, add the chicken pieces and stir until the chicken is completely coated. You can then thread the chicken onto skewers and cook it in the air fryer, or store the marinated chicken in the refrigerator until you are ready to cook it. If you are using wooden skewers, be sure to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before threading the chicken to prevent them from burning.
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Threading the chicken onto skewers
Threading the chicken pieces onto skewers is an important step in the chicken souvlaki recipe. Souvlaki means "little skewer" in Greek, and it refers to meat or vegetables cooked on sticks or skewers.
Before threading the chicken, it is important to prepare the marinade. The marinade is a key component of the dish, infusing rich flavours into the chicken skewers. Combine the marinade ingredients in a bowl, such as olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, dried oregano, garlic seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. You can also add lime juice, cider vinegar, or white wine vinegar instead of red wine vinegar. Additionally, consider adding Greek yoghurt to the marinade, as it will help tenderise the meat and make it super soft.
Once the marinade is ready, cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces, ensuring they are slightly larger than you think as the chicken will shrink during cooking. If using chicken thighs, cut them into 2-inch pieces. Add the chicken pieces to the marinade, ensuring they are well coated. You can cook the chicken immediately, or marinate it in the refrigerator for a minimum of 30 minutes to up to 24 hours. The longer the marination, the more flavourful the chicken will become.
When the chicken has finished marinating, it's time to thread it onto the skewers. If using wooden or bamboo skewers, be sure to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before threading the chicken to prevent them from burning during cooking. Thread the chicken pieces onto the skewers, leaving a gap at both ends. Ensure the pieces are compact and nice and juicy. You should be able to make at least eight skewers.
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Preheating the air fryer
Firstly, it is important to understand that not all air fryers require preheating. Check your air fryer's instructions manual to determine if preheating is necessary for your specific model. If preheating is recommended, follow these steps:
Begin by setting your air fryer to the desired temperature. The ideal temperature for cooking chicken souvlaki varies depending on the recipe and your air fryer's specifications. Common temperature settings range from 375°F to 400°F (190°C to 204°C) Set your air fryer to the recommended temperature based on your chosen recipe.
Once you have set the temperature, allow the air fryer to preheat for a few minutes. The preheating time can vary, but generally, 3 minutes is sufficient for the air fryer to reach the desired temperature. During this time, the air fryer's heating elements will warm up, and the air inside will circulate to ensure even cooking.
While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your chicken souvlaki skewers. Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto skewers, preferably soaked wooden or bamboo skewers, ensuring they are secure and well-coated with the marinade. This step ensures that the chicken cooks evenly and remains moist.
It is important to note that the size of your chicken pieces may impact the cooking time and temperature. Smaller pieces may cook faster, while larger pieces may require a slightly longer cooking time. Adjust the temperature and timing accordingly based on the size of your chicken pieces and the specific instructions of your chosen recipe.
By following these steps, you will be able to effectively preheat your air fryer and prepare your chicken souvlaki for cooking. Remember to refer to your air fryer's user manual for any model-specific instructions and always exercise caution when handling hot appliances.
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Cooking the chicken souvlaki
Ingredients
To make chicken souvlaki in an air fryer, you will need the following ingredients for the chicken marinade:
- Olive oil
- Red wine vinegar or cider vinegar
- Lime juice
- Oregano
- Salt
- Garlic
- White wine (optional)
You will also need:
- Chicken thighs or breasts
- Bamboo or wooden skewers
- Pita bread
- Tzatziki sauce
- Tomato
- Onion
- Baby spinach
- Hummus
- Cucumber
- Cherry tomatoes
Marinating the Chicken
In a large bowl, combine the lime juice, red wine or cider vinegar, olive oil, oregano, salt, and grated garlic. Mix the ingredients together until well combined. You can also add two tablespoons of white wine to the marinade for extra flavour.
Slice the chicken into bite-sized pieces, removing any large pieces of fat. Add the chicken pieces to the marinade, ensuring they are well coated. You can cook the chicken immediately, or for more flavour, let it marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to 2 hours. The longer you marinate, the zestier the chicken will become. You can marinate the chicken up to 24 hours in advance.
Threading the Chicken
While the chicken is marinating, soak the bamboo or wooden skewers in water to prevent them from burning during cooking. When you are ready to cook, thread the chicken pieces onto the soaked skewers, leaving a gap at both ends. Make sure the pieces are compact so they stay nice and juicy.
Cooking the Chicken
Preheat your air fryer for 3 minutes at 190°C (375°F). Place the skewers on a rack and air fry for 10 to 15 minutes, flipping over halfway through, until golden brown and fully cooked through. The internal temperature of the chicken should be a minimum of 74°C / 165°F.
Serving the Chicken Souvlaki
While the chicken is cooking, mix the sliced onion with the chopped parsley and prep the souvlaki fixings. Briefly pan-fry the pita bread to warm it up, then add a little onion, tzatziki, and sliced tomatoes. Take the chicken off the skewers, add to the pita, wrap tightly, and enjoy!
You can also serve the chicken souvlaki with baby spinach, hummus, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, or a Greek-style salad.
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Serving suggestions
Chicken souvlaki is a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some serving suggestions to complement the juicy, flavourful chicken:
Pita Bread or Flatbread
One popular way to serve chicken souvlaki is by wrapping the cooked chicken pieces in pita bread or flatbread. You can briefly pan-fry the pita bread to warm it up and add a little crunch. Spread some tzatziki sauce on the pita, add the chicken, and top it off with sliced onions, tomatoes, and cucumbers. You can also add some hummus, baby spinach, and cherry tomatoes for a refreshing twist. This makes for a hearty and satisfying meal.
Rice
Rice is another great option to accompany chicken souvlaki. You can serve the chicken skewers on a bed of rice, such as Mediterranean yellow rice or rice with vermicelli noodles. Basmati rice, with its fragrant aroma, is an excellent choice to complement the flavours of the dish.
Salad
A fresh and tasty Greek-style salad is a perfect side dish for chicken souvlaki. Finely dice some tomatoes, onions, and cucumbers, and toss them with extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, and a sprinkle of dill or oregano. Season with salt and pepper to taste. You can also add some feta cheese or olives for an extra Mediterranean touch.
Sides and Sauces
Chicken souvlaki goes well with a variety of sides and sauces. Tzatziki sauce is a must-have, providing a cool and creamy contrast to the juicy chicken. You can make your own by combining Greek yoghurt, grated cucumber, garlic, herbs, lemon juice, and a drizzle of olive oil. Other sides could include Greek potato wedges or lemon potatoes, and a Greek pasta salad or orzo pasta salad.
Platter or Board
If you're serving a larger group or want to make a more impressive presentation, you can create a Greek dinner platter or Mediterranean board. Start with a base of rice or pita bread, and then arrange the chicken souvlaki skewers on top. Add some Greek salad, potato wedges, and other Mediterranean-inspired dishes like spanakorizo or horiatiki salad. This creates a colourful and inviting spread that your guests can help themselves to.
Leftovers
Chicken souvlaki also makes for delicious leftovers. Store the cooked chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, pop it in the air fryer, microwave, or oven until warmed through. Leftover chicken souvlaki can be enjoyed as is or used as a filling for sandwiches or wraps.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes to absorb all the flavours. However, you can marinate the chicken for up to 24 hours in advance.
Set your air fryer to 190°C (375°F) to preheat for 3 minutes. Then, increase the temperature to 400°F to cook the chicken souvlaki for 10-15 minutes.
It takes 10-15 minutes to cook chicken souvlaki in an air fryer at 400°F. Flip the skewers halfway through the cooking time.
