Crispy Greek Air Fryer Chicken Souvlaki: A Taste of the Mediterranean

There’s something magical about the aroma of Greek spices filling your kitchen. This air fryer chicken souvlaki brings all the flavors of a Mediterranean vacation right to your dinner table, with half the hassle and twice the crispiness!

My first encounter with authentic souvlaki wasn’t in a fancy restaurant, but on a tiny side street in Santorini. After getting hopelessly lost trying to find my way back to our rental, I stumbled upon an unassuming food cart where an elderly man was grilling skewers of perfectly seasoned meat. One bite, and I was transported. The tender chicken, the bright lemon, the earthy oregano – it was perfection.

When I returned home, I tried countless times to recreate that flavor, but something was always missing. Then last year, I received an air fryer as a gift and discovered the secret – that perfect char and tenderness could be achieved without a traditional grill. Now this dish appears weekly on our family table, a reminder that sometimes getting lost leads to the best discoveries.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 small red onion, cut into 1-inch pieces (optional)
• 1 bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces (optional)
• Wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes (or metal skewers)

For serving:

• Warm pita bread
• Tzatziki sauce
• Sliced tomatoes and cucumbers
• Crumbled feta cheese
• Fresh lemon wedges

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, garlic, oregano, thyme, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper.
2. Add the chicken pieces to the marinade, toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably 3-4 hours (overnight works great too!).
3. Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (190°C) for 3 minutes.
4. If using skewers, thread the marinated chicken pieces, alternating with red onion and bell pepper if desired.
5. Place the skewers or chicken pieces in the air fryer basket, being careful not to overcrowd (cook in batches if necessary).
6. Cook for 10-12 minutes, turning halfway through, until the chicken is golden brown and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
7. Allow to rest for 3-5 minutes before serving.
8. Serve hot with warm pita bread, tzatziki sauce, fresh vegetables, crumbled feta, and lemon wedges.

Recipe Notes

• For extra flavor, add a bay leaf to the marinade (remove before cooking).
• If you prefer chicken breast, reduce cooking time by 1-2 minutes to prevent drying out.
• No skewers? No problem! You can cook the marinated chicken pieces directly in the air fryer basket.
• Leftover souvlaki makes amazing Greek salads the next day!

Prep time: 15 minutes | Marinating time: 1-4 hours | Cook time: 12 minutes | Serves: 4

Enjoy this taste of Greece without leaving your kitchen. Opa!