Air Fryer Chicken Souvlaki with Homemade Tzatziki Sauce

Easy Greek-Inspired Chicken Skewers for a Fast Air Fryer Dinner

If you are craving something fresh, flavorful, and a little different from the usual weeknight chicken dinner, this air fryer chicken souvlaki is such a fun one to make. The chicken is marinated with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, and salt, then cooked quickly in the air fryer until tender and juicy. Serve it with pita bread, cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, feta, olives, and a simple homemade tzatziki sauce for an easy Greek-inspired dinner that tastes restaurant-worthy without a lot of work.

My daughter and I love trying new foods, and after we had souvlaki at a Greek restaurant, I knew I wanted to make a version at home in the air fryer. The flavors are bright and simple, the chicken cooks fast, and the toppings make it easy for everyone to build their own pita, bowl, or plate.

Quick answer: Chicken souvlaki cooks beautifully in the air fryer. Marinate bite-sized chicken pieces for about 2 hours, thread them onto air-fryer-safe skewers, and cook at 380°F for 5 minutes, then 400°F for 1–2 minutes more, or until the chicken reaches 165°F.

What Is Souvlaki?

Souvlaki is a popular Greek street food made with small pieces of marinated meat cooked on skewers. It is often grilled, but the air fryer is a great shortcut because it gives the chicken delicious flavor and tender texture without needing to heat up the grill.

This version uses chicken breast cut into bite-sized pieces, but you can also use boneless skinless chicken thighs if you prefer a slightly richer, juicier texture. The key is cutting the chicken into evenly sized pieces so it cooks at the same rate.

Ingredients for Air Fryer Chicken Souvlaki

You only need a handful of simple ingredients to make the chicken marinade. Most of these are pantry staples, which is one of the reasons this recipe is so easy to pull together.

• 4 air fryer skewers and rack that fit your air fryer basket
• 1/8 cup olive oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 6–8 ounces skinless, boneless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces

Tip: If you are using wooden skewers, soak them in water first and make sure they fit safely inside your air fryer basket before adding the chicken.

How to Make Chicken Souvlaki

About two hours before you plan to cook, add the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, and salt to a zip-top bag. Seal the bag and shake it gently to combine the marinade.

Add the chicken pieces to the bag, seal it again, and turn the bag until the chicken is coated. Refrigerate the chicken for about 2 hours so the lemon, garlic, and oregano can flavor the meat.

You can marinate the chicken a little longer if needed, but I would not leave it too long because lemon juice is acidic and can start to change the texture of the chicken. Two hours is a great sweet spot for flavor and tenderness.

How to Cook Chicken Souvlaki in the Air Fryer

After the chicken has marinated, thread the pieces onto the air fryer skewers. Do not pack the chicken too tightly together. A little space helps the hot air circulate so the chicken cooks evenly.

Place a rack in the air fryer basket and lay the skewers on top. Cook at 380°F/190°C for 5 minutes. Increase the temperature to 400°F/200°C for another 1–2 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

For food safety, chicken should be cooked to 165°F. A simple instant-read thermometer is the easiest way to check the thickest piece. You can also reference the safe minimum internal temperature chart from FoodSafety.gov.

Remove the skewers from the air fryer basket and serve immediately with pita, toppings, and tzatziki sauce.

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Homemade Tzatziki Sauce

Tzatziki sauce is what pulls this whole meal together. It is cool, creamy, tangy, and so good with the lemon garlic chicken. If you have never made tzatziki before, do not let it intimidate you. It is easier than you think.

You will need:

• 3 ounces plain Greek-style yogurt
• 1/4 cucumber, peeled, seeded, and grated
• 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar
• 1/2 clove garlic, minced
• Small pinch of salt

Mix the ingredients together in a bowl, then store the sauce in the refrigerator for 1–2 hours before serving. This gives the flavors time to blend and makes the sauce taste even better.

Helpful tip: If the grated cucumber seems watery, gently squeeze out the excess moisture before mixing it into the yogurt. This keeps your tzatziki thick and creamy instead of runny.

How to Serve Chicken Souvlaki

Chicken souvlaki is delicious served as a pita sandwich, but that is not the only option. This recipe works well for a quick family dinner, a build-your-own pita bar, or even a simple meal prep bowl.

Try it with:

• Warm pita bread
• Thinly sliced red onion
• Sliced tomatoes
• Sliced cucumbers
• Kalamata olives
• Feta cheese
• Homemade tzatziki sauce
• Lemon wedges
• Rice, salad greens, or roasted vegetables

For a fun dinner idea, set everything out and let everyone build their own pita or bowl. My favorite way is warm pita, chicken, cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, feta, olives, and plenty of tzatziki.

Can You Make Chicken Souvlaki Without Skewers?

Yes. If you do not have skewers that fit your air fryer, you can cook the marinated chicken pieces directly in the air fryer basket in a single layer. The texture will be a little less “skewer-style,” but the flavor will still be delicious. Shake or turn the chicken halfway through cooking and check that it reaches 165°F before serving.

Storage and Reheating Tips

Store leftover chicken separately from the pita, toppings, and tzatziki sauce. Let the chicken cool, then place it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

To reheat, place the chicken back in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–5 minutes, just until warmed through. You can also warm it gently in a skillet. Add fresh tzatziki and toppings after reheating for the best texture.

The tzatziki sauce is best stored in a separate covered container in the refrigerator. Stir it before serving if any liquid separates.

Reader Review

One reader, Helene, gave this recipe a 5-star review and said, “Wow did I ever love this recipe! Wonderful flavors! I have never made tzatziki sauce before but so easy. Thanks. Will make for company.”

I love that because this really is a great recipe for company. It feels fresh and special, but the prep is simple and the air fryer does most of the cooking for you.

Air Fryer Chicken Souvlaki FAQ

What temperature do you cook chicken souvlaki in the air fryer?

Cook chicken souvlaki at 380°F for 5 minutes, then increase to 400°F for 1–2 minutes more, or until the chicken reaches 165°F internally.

How long should chicken souvlaki marinate?

About 2 hours is ideal for this recipe. It gives the chicken time to absorb the lemon, garlic, and oregano flavor without the lemon juice affecting the texture too much.

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breast?

Yes. Boneless skinless chicken thighs work well and can be very juicy. Cut them into evenly sized pieces and cook until they reach 165°F.

Do I have to use tzatziki sauce?

Tzatziki is traditional and adds a cool, creamy flavor that pairs perfectly with souvlaki, but you can also serve the chicken with hummus, Greek yogurt sauce, or your favorite Mediterranean-style toppings.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

You can marinate the chicken ahead and prep the toppings in advance. For the freshest texture, cook the chicken just before serving. Leftovers also reheat well for quick lunches.

Final Thoughts

This air fryer chicken souvlaki is an easy way to bring bright Greek-inspired flavor to the dinner table without much fuss. The chicken cooks fast, the marinade is simple, and the toppings make it feel fresh and fun. It is a great change from the usual chicken dinner and works just as well for a weeknight meal as it does for serving company.

If you try it, leave a comment and rating to let us know how it turned out. Those reviews help other readers know which recipes are worth making, and we are always grateful when you take the time to share.

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Flavorful Greek Chicken Souvlaki in the Air Fryer

Homemade and tasty Greek chicken souvlaki is super easy in the air fryer. Serve this dish in minutes with a flavorful tzatziki sauce and this air fryer recipe will be one of your new favorites!

4.50 / 5 ( 16 Reviews )

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Prep Time: 2 hours hours 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 8 minutes minutes

Total Time: 2 hours hours 23 minutes minutes

Serves: 4

Adjust Servings: 4

US CustomaryMetric

Equipment

• Air Fryer

Ingredients

Chicken Souvlaki

• 6-8 ounces boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into bite sized pieces (I used 1 large chicken breast)
• 2 tablespoons avocado oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 clove garlic minced
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Tzatziki Sauce

• 3 ounces plain Greek yogurt
• ¼ cucumber peeled, seeded, and grated
• ½ tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar
• ½ clove garlic minced
• ½ pinch salt

Serve With

• pita bread
• red onions thinly sliced
• tomatoes sliced
• cucumbers sliced
• Kalamata olives
• feta cheese

Instructions

2 hours Before Eating

• Place the chicken souvlaki marinade ingredients in a Ziploc bag, seal and shake. Add the chicken and marinate for 2 hours.
• Make the tzatziki sauce by mixing together all the ingredients. Place in a bowl and store in the fridge for 1-2 hours.

When ready to cook

• Thread the chicken onto skewers, place in the air fryer basket and on the skewer rack. Cook at 380F/190C for 5 minutes. Bump up to 400°F/200°C for another minute or 2, or until chicken reaches 165°F/74°C.
• Remove the skewers from the air fryer basket.
• Assemble grilled chicken souvlaki pitas. First, spread Tzatziki sauce on the pita, add chicken pieces (off the skewers) then add veggies, olives, and feta. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 145kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 10g | Sodium: 209mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g

Recipe Adapted From: All Recipes