Recipe This | Air Fryer Greek Chicken Souvlaki (2024)

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Recipe This | Air Fryer Greek Chicken Souvlaki (1)

Welcome to my Air fryer Greek Chicken Souvlaki recipe. A delicious dose of Greek food on your dinner plate this summer with a classic take on Greek Souvlaki cooked in the Philips Airfryer.

My cousin and I chat a lot on Facebook messenger. We put the world to rights, talk about what we have done that day, talk about what we are eating and what we are doing.

Before we know it a couple of hours has passed and Dominic wants to know what is so interesting considering we just chatted the night before.

Sadly though, we live thousands of miles away from each other. She is based in Vermont in the US, while we are based here in the Algarve in Portugal.

We haven’t seen each other face to face for 5 years and its so sad that it has to be like that, as I would love her to be on my doorstep.

But the conversation often ends up being about America Vs Europe. As there is a lot of cultural differences that we end up chatting about.

I am envious whenever she sends me pictures of her eating the latest flavour of Ben & Jerry’s (we only get about 4 options here in Portugal) and normally that picture will come through when I am craving some sugar during a Paleo/Whole 30 day.

Then I will talk to her about the low cost of living in Portugal, the amazing olive oil, our lemon tree, the street traders with the fresh oranges or the fresh seafood.

We will then get engrossed into each others cultures and it can be rather exciting even though we live miles away from each other.

One conversation that came up recently was the summer and we each do and what the local traditions are.

Clearly I have priorities and I am spilling all the gossip about the super size doughnuts filled with a custard and cream, that are sold on the beach for a Euro.

And that on those days we make a picnic and hit the beach with our homemade quiche, sausage rolls and tuna salad.

Recipe This | Air Fryer Greek Chicken Souvlaki (2)

I ask her what they have. To which she tells me that they have barbecues that you can use on the beach. You bring your cooler with your raw chicken and then start cooking.

This is something we don’t have (though I wish they did) and it got me thinking and inspired me with todays Greek chicken Souvlaki recipe.

You see my lovely cousin writes the reviews for me for products that we work with that our US based. It saves on shipping costs, customs issues and we make an excellent partnership!

So after she put together some chicken and packaged it up for the beach (see the review further down) I decided that whether you Air Fried or barbecued these little Greek Chicken Souvlaki were just perfect.

Let me explain a little more.

Imagine that you are either going to someone’s house for a barbecue, having one at home and want all your food together, or like my cousin Tracy you are hitting the beach with your barbecue.

Recipe This | Air Fryer Greek Chicken Souvlaki (3)

You then use these 3 compartment storage containers to make your marinade in and then package everything up and take them down to the beach.

You can pack up lots of them and take them with you on your day out.

Recipe This | Air Fryer Greek Chicken Souvlaki (4)

Or alternatively (like we did with them here in Portugal) is to use them for preparing your home barbecue food and then it saves dragging lots of marinades outside, then you have everything all in one place.

You could do them for all kinds of chicken marinades. BUT I am a huge fan of Greek Chicken Souvlaki and felt that if I was going to make something it would be these.

And as well as a barbecue you can have the delicious just barbecued flavour from the Philips Airfryer.

Then don’t think it just has to be summer because you could make them all year round.

You could prepare loads of these with fresh chicken and then freeze it for another time.

Table of Contents

What Is Chicken Souvlaki?

Recipe This | Air Fryer Greek Chicken Souvlaki (5)

But first I am sure you want to know what Chicken Souvlaki actually is?

Well in a nutshell Chicken Souvlaki is a popular fast food that involves chicken (and sometimes vegetables too) cooked together and grilled on a skewer.

It is often served with a pita bread and often comes with a side of potatoes.

Pork, beef and lamb are also popular alternatives to chicken in many establishments in Greece and the Greek Isles.

The word “Souvlaki” is Greek for skewer and there are many different versions available in many countries throughout the Mediterranean.

Recipe This | Air Fryer Greek Chicken Souvlaki (6)

Print Recipe

Air fryer Greek Chicken Souvlaki

Succulent pieces of chicken breast in a delicious Greek marinade, served on skewers and air fried for a perfect Mediterranean lunch.

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time9 minutes mins

Total Time14 minutes mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Air Fryer

Servings: 2

Calories: 79kcal

Author: RecipeThis.com

Ingredients

MetricImperial

Instructions

  • Chop your chicken breast into medium sized pieces.

  • Peel and very thinly dice your fresh garlic. Add the garlic, seasoning and lemon into a mixing bowl with your chicken.

  • Mix well with your hands.

  • Place it into the storage container and fridge overnight.

  • The next day, toss the chicken in the coconut oil and the Greek yoghurt.

  • Place the chicken onto skewers and cook for 9 minutes at 180c/350f in the grill pan inside the Airfryer.

  • Turn with tongs after the half way point so that both sides can have a crispy grill like coating.

  • Serve with fresh oregano.

Notes

I cut my chicken breasts into 2.5cm pieces, but you could have it a little bigger or smaller.

I used dried herbs for marinating the chicken. You could also use fresh or just like me have fresh for sprinkling over when done.

For a more lemon option cook the lemon on the skewers with the chicken.

If you’re not confident thinly slicing garlic I suggest that instead you use a garlic press. It does an excellent job and then just thinly slice the excess that is left in your press after you are done.

We only use a very small amount of coconut oil and Greek yoghurt. This keeps it very moist and flavoursome and a little goes a long way.

We have found the best place to source chicken breasts to make Airfryer Greek Chicken Souvlaki is from ButcherBox. You even receive free bacon and $10 off your first order when you sign up with this link.

Nutrition

Calories: 79kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 32mg | Potassium: 217mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 43IU | Vitamin C: 30mg | Calcium: 62mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition InfoPlease Note: Nutrition values are our best estimate based on the software we use at Recipe This and are meant as a guide. If you rely on them for your diet, use your preferred nutrition calculator.

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Where To Source Your Chicken Breasts To Airfryer Greek Chicken Souviaki:

Recipe This | Air Fryer Greek Chicken Souvlaki (7)
Recipe This | Air Fryer Greek Chicken Souvlaki (8)

Slimming World Chicken Souvlaki

Recipe This | Air Fryer Greek Chicken Souvlaki (9)

If there is food that is a dream come true for Slimming World followers then it has to be Chicken Souvlaki.

This is because it is cooked with natural Greek yoghurt, is fat free and full of delicious syn free seasoning.

If you’re are going to a summer barbecue or want food to take down to the beach for a beach barbecue then start with this Chicken Souvlaki recipe.

Then it saves you wasting all your Syns on foods that are not suitable for your diet.

It works out at just 1 Syn per person for the coconut oil. The rest of it is completely Syn Free and it is perfect for taking to a friends house during barbecue season.

Chicken Souvlaki Calories

Recipe This | Air Fryer Greek Chicken Souvlaki (10)

For a delicious meal that is full of flavour but healthy too it doesn’t get any better than Chicken Souvlaki.

I also remember it was a favourite among dieters for how low in calories it is for days on the 5:2 diet.

But how many calories are you really talking for chicken souvlaki? Well I put all the ingredients into a nutrition calculator and it works out at 128 calories per person.

A super skinny calorie consumption for each person and perfect for hitting the beach or the barbecue without worrying about weight gain.

Recipe This | Air Fryer Greek Chicken Souvlaki (2024)

FAQs

What is souvlaki sauce made of? ›

Prepare sauce: Mix yogurt, cucumber, olive oil, vinegar, garlic, and salt together in a bowl. Refrigerate sauce for flavors to blend, 1 to 2 hours. Soak wooden skewers in a bowl of cold water for about 15 minutes. Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate.

Are chicken souvlaki healthy? ›

Chicken souvlaki is not just a flavorful meal; it's a healthy choice that can be part of a balanced diet. With lean chicken, fresh vegetables, and the magic of Mediterranean spices, you're not only satisfying your taste buds but also treating your body to a wealth of nutrients.

How many calories in a Greek chicken souvlaki? ›

Chicken, lamb, and pork souvlaki are lower-fat main dishes that provide a decent serving of grilled vegetables. A typical order of chicken souvlaki has just 260 calories and eight grams of fat. Lamb or pork skewers have 310 calories and 11 grams of fat.

How to cook frozen chicken souvlaki? ›

Baking: Preheat the oven to 375°F. On a baking sheet, cook for 18 to 20 minutes and turn halfway through cooking. Sous-vide cooking: Directly from frozen , place in boiling water for 12 to 15 minutes.

What's the difference between gyros and souvlaki? ›

Here's how to tell the difference: Souvlaki is marinated pork, chicken, beef, or lamb grilled on a skewer. It's typically served on a skewer, but you can also eat it in a warm pita or over salad. Gyros are made with stacked meat (usually pork, but other meats are common) that has been cooked on a vertical rotisserie.

What is souvlaki marinade made of? ›

Chicken Souvlaki Marinade: The marinade is the star here, which is a combination of olive oil, fresh lemon juice, garlic, oregano, parsley, salt, and pepper. Tzatziki Sauce: I love to make my own tzatziki sauce when I have time. But of course, you can buy your favorite brand as well.

What is the healthiest Greek food to eat? ›

This article discusses 13 traditional Greek foods that are super healthy.
  1. Hummus. Hummus is a popular dip or spread throughout the Mediterranean and Middle East. ...
  2. Melitzanosalata. ...
  3. Tzatziki. ...
  4. Dolmades. ...
  5. Gigantes plaki. ...
  6. Avgolemono. ...
  7. Fakes soupa. ...
  8. Souvlaki.
Apr 6, 2022

What's the difference between chicken gyro and chicken souvlaki? ›

While gyro is cooked on a vertical rotisserie while souvlaki is skewered and grilled. This gives gyro a richer flavor, although souvlaki can still stand to be more savory depending on what it's spiced with.

Is souvlaki healthier than gyro? ›

Which is healthier, souvlaki or gyro? Both souvlaki and gyro can be nutritious choices, depending on how they are prepared and served. Both are made with relatively lean meat cuts and grilled, making them a great lean protein source.

How much nutrition is in Costco souvlaki? ›

  • Protein 29g. 58%
  • Cholesterol 80mg. 27%
  • Sodium 460mg. 20%
  • Calcium 20mg. 2%
  • Iron 0.8mg. 4%
  • Potassium 450mg. 10%

How much cholesterol is in chicken souvlaki? ›

Chicken souvlaki protein bowls by CEDARLANE contains 3 g of saturated fat and 45 mg of cholesterol per serving. 284 g of Chicken souvlaki protein bowls by CEDARLANE contains 1.99 mg of iron, 93.72 mg of calcium, 267 mg of potassium.

Does souvlaki have carbs? ›

Mr Greek Classic Chicken Souvlaki (1 serving) contains 6g total carbs, 6g net carbs, 16g fat, 28g protein, and 280 calories.

Can you cook frozen chicken kabobs in the air fryer? ›

Air Fry Frozen

Set temperature to 180°C. Remove from all packaging, wrap exposed skewers with foil. Place into air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 10 minutes.

What's the difference between chicken souvlaki and chicken kabobs? ›

Souvlaki is marinated in an acid-forward blend of vinegar, lemon juice and red wine. Other common ingredients include Greek oregano, olive oil, garlic salt, and pepper. Traditional kebab marinade consists of olive oil and assorted spices often including turmeric, cumin, coriander, and paprika.

What do you eat with souvlaki? ›

The best side dishes to serve with chicken souvlaki are french fries, pita bread, Shirazi salad, blooming onion, tzatziki, green beans, rice pilaf, hummus, Greek salad, baba ganoush, stuffed grape leaves, roasted potatoes, grilled vegetables, fasolada, spanakopita, Greek yogurt with honey, moussaka, and Greek lemon ...

What does souvlaki taste like? ›

Meat – the meat used in Souvlaki is typically chicken or pork, although lamb and beef are also popular options. The meat is marinated in a blend of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, and other herbs and spices. This gives the meat a mouth-watering flavour and makes it incredibly tender.

What's the difference between chicken and chicken souvlaki? ›

While the seasonings and protein are the same, the main difference is the cooking method. Chicken souvlaki is small, cubed pieces of marinated chicken that are skewered and grilled directly over a hot grill.

Is souvlaki similar to shawarma? ›

Comparing gyro vs souvlaki in Greek cuisine is similar to comparing shawarma and kebab. While both are grilled meats, souvlaki is skewered pieces of either pork or lamb, though beef and chicken souvlaki are more popular.

Who normally eats souvlaki? ›

Perhaps the most basic delicacy of Greek gastronomy, but also one of the most famous ones! Ladies and gentlemen, I present you the souvlaki. Sometimes considered as fast food, others as just traditional, it is one of the most typical and popular dishes you will try in anywhere in Greece.

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