Ella Walter
Chicken souvlaki is a Greek fast food consisting of pieces of meat grilled on skewers. This recipe will show you how to make chicken souvlaki in an air fryer. It is easy to make and packed with fresh flavours. You can serve it with Greek pita bread, salad, or tzatziki sauce.
Characteristics and Values Table for Air Fryer Chicken Souvlaki
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Marinade Base | Greek Yogurt, Lemon Juice, Lime Juice, Olive Oil, Vinegar, Oregano, Salt, and Garlic |
| Marinade Time | 30 minutes to overnight |
| Chicken Type | Skinless, Boneless Thighs or Breasts |
| Chicken Size | Bite-sized pieces, 2-inch cubes |
| Skewer Type | Wooden or Metal, 20cm/8" |
| Air Fryer Temperature | 380F/190C to 400F/200C |
| Air Fryer Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Internal Chicken Temperature | Minimum 165F/74C |
| Serving Suggestions | Pita Bread, Tzatziki Sauce, Greek Salad, Rice, Grilled Vegetables, Hummus, Cherry Tomatoes, Feta |
| Leftover Storage | Airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days |
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What You'll Learn
Preparing the chicken
Firstly, you'll want to cut your chicken into bite-sized pieces. Aim for cubes of around 2 inches. It's recommended to use chicken thighs, as they are fattier and less likely to dry out or overcook. However, chicken breasts can also be used if preferred.
Next, prepare your marinade. A simple Greek marinade can be made by combining Greek yoghurt with lemon juice, olive oil, oregano, salt, and garlic. You can also add vinegar to the mix for a zesty kick. Place the chicken pieces into the marinade, ensuring they are well coated. You can let the chicken marinate for as little as 30 minutes, but for maximum flavour, it's best to leave it for at least 2 hours, or even overnight.
Once your chicken has marinated, it's time to thread it onto skewers. If using wooden skewers, be sure to soak them in water first to prevent them from burning during cooking. Leave a gap at both ends of the skewer and ensure the chicken pieces are compact.
Now you're ready to cook your chicken souvlaki in the air fryer! Place the skewers in the air fryer basket, brush with any remaining marinade, and cook at 200°C for around 15 minutes, turning once. The chicken is cooked when it is golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 74°C.
Your chicken souvlaki is now ready to be served! Remove the chicken from the skewers and serve in pita bread with tzatziki, salad, and your choice of sides. Enjoy!
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Making the marinade
To make the marinade, combine the base ingredients of Greek yoghurt and lemon juice in a medium-sized bowl. You can also add garlic powder or grated garlic cloves to the marinade, as well as olive oil, oregano, and salt to taste. Mix the ingredients together until they are well combined and the marinade is smooth and creamy.
Once the marinade is ready, add the chicken pieces to the bowl and stir until they are completely coated. Alternatively, you can place the chicken and marinade in a sealed container or a zip-top bag and shake until the chicken is well coated. Make sure to leave no gaps in the container or bag so that all the chicken pieces are in contact with the marinade.
After the chicken is coated, tightly cover the bowl or place the sealed container or bag in the refrigerator to marinate for the desired amount of time. It is important to note that if you are using wooden skewers for the chicken souvlaki, they should be soaked in water during the marination process to prevent them from burning during cooking.
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Threading the chicken onto skewers
Threading the chicken pieces onto skewers is an important step in making chicken souvlaki in an air fryer. This step ensures the chicken cooks evenly and efficiently, resulting in juicy and flavoursome meat.
To begin threading the chicken onto skewers, you will need to cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces, around 2-inch cubes. It is recommended to use chicken thighs as they are fattier and less prone to overcooking. However, chicken breasts can also be used, keeping in mind they may cook quicker.
When threading the chicken onto the skewers, leave a gap at both ends of the skewer. This allows for even cooking and helps keep the chicken moist. Pack the chicken pieces nicely and compactly onto the skewers, ensuring they are secure and won't fall off during cooking.
You can use either wooden or metal skewers, but if you opt for wooden skewers, be sure to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before threading the chicken. Soaking prevents the skewers from burning during the cooking process. The length of the skewers can vary, but 20cm or 8-inch skewers are a good size and should fit nicely into most air fryers. Cut or snap the skewers to fit your air fryer if needed.
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Cooking the chicken in the air fryer
When the chicken is ready, thread the pieces onto skewers, leaving a gap at both ends. If you are using wooden skewers, be sure to soak them in water first to prevent them from burning. Place the skewers in the air fryer basket, brush over any excess marinade, and lightly spray with oil.
Cook the chicken skewers in the air fryer for around 10-15 minutes, turning them halfway through. The chicken is cooked when it is golden brown and the internal temperature is at least 74°C/165°F.
Once cooked, you can serve the chicken skewers with Greek pita bread, salad, tzatziki, and your choice of sides.
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Serving suggestions
Chicken souvlaki cooked in an air fryer can be served in a variety of ways. You can serve it in a pita pocket with tzatziki, hummus, baby spinach, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and feta. You can also add Greek potato salad, lemon potatoes, orzo pasta salad, or a simple Horiatiki salad.
If you're looking for a lighter option, you can skip the pita and serve the chicken with a green salad, or with Greek salad or Tabouli salad and pickled red onions on the side. You can also serve it gyro-style, with the chicken, tzatziki, and salad wrapped in flatbread.
For a more substantial meal, serve the chicken souvlaki with rice, grilled vegetables, or mashed potatoes.
Chicken souvlaki also makes great leftovers and can be reheated in the air fryer or microwave.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need chicken, skewers, and a marinade. For the marinade, you can use a mixture of Greek yoghurt, lemon juice, olive oil, oregano, salt, and garlic.
It is recommended to marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes to absorb the flavours. For a more intense flavour, you can marinate it for up to 4 hours or even overnight.
Boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts cut into bite-sized pieces are ideal for chicken souvlaki. Thighs are preferred as they are fattier and less likely to dry out.
Preheat your air fryer to 380°F-400°F (190°C-200°C). Cook the chicken for 5 minutes at 380°F/190°C, then increase the temperature to 400°F/200°C for another 1-2 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F-167°F (74°C-75°C).
Chicken souvlaki can be served in pita bread with tzatziki sauce, baby spinach, hummus, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and other fixings. It can also be served with a salad or as part of a Mediterranean board.
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