Air Fryer Gyro Chicken
Why this recipe works
- Fast cooking: Boneless chicken thighs cook quickly in the air fryer, making the recipe practical for a weeknight meal.
- Herby, tangy seasoning: Lemon, garlic, oregano, paprika and cumin give the chicken a savoury, aromatic flavour without needing a long marinade.
- Fresh contrast: Hot sliced chicken, warm pitta, crisp vegetables and cool yoghurt create a balanced mix of textures and temperatures.
Get the most out of this recipe
Timing notes
- Rest before slicing: Let the chicken stand briefly after cooking so the juices settle before it is sliced thinly.
- Serve straight away: Assemble the pittas just before serving so the bread stays soft and the salad remains crisp.
Texture tips
- Keep the chicken juicy: Use boneless thighs where possible and avoid overcrowding the air-fryer basket so the pieces brown rather than steam.
- Protect the pitta: Add the yoghurt last and serve immediately to prevent the warm bread from becoming damp.
Ingredient swaps
- Use chicken breast: Chicken breast works as a leaner option, but it can dry out more quickly, so check it early and slice only after resting.
- Change the paprika: Smoked paprika can replace sweet paprika if you want a deeper, lightly smoky flavour.
Make-ahead tips
- Prep the salad ahead: Slice the cucumber and onion in advance, but keep the tomato and yoghurt separate until serving for the best texture.
- Reheat gently: Reheat cooked chicken in the air fryer at 180°C (355°F) until piping hot, then assemble the pittas fresh.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a bowl, toss the chicken with olive oil, zest and juice from the lemon, crushed garlic, dried oregano, sweet paprika, ground cumin, fine sea salt and black pepper. Leave to sit while you prep the salad.
- Dice the tomato, slice the cucumber, and thinly slice the red onion. Spoon the greek yogurt into a small bowl and set aside.
- Heat the air fryer to 200°C (390°F). Arrange the chicken in a single layer and cook for 10 minutes, turning once, until browned and cooked through.
- Rest the chicken for 3 minutes, then slice it thinly. Warm the pita bread for 1 to 2 minutes in the air fryer or in a dry pan until soft and pliable.
- Fill each pita with sliced chicken, tomato, cucumber and red onion, then finish with a generous spoon of greek yogurt. Serve straight away while the chicken is hot and the pitta is warm.
Recipe notes
Tips
- For the juiciest result, avoid overcrowding the basket; cook the chicken in two batches if needed.
- If you have a thermometer, aim for 75°C (165°F) in the thickest part of the chicken.
- If serving pregnant people, young children, older adults, or anyone immunocompromised, use pasteurised greek yogurt.
Substitutions
- Replace Chicken thighs with chicken breast for a leaner option; reduce the cooking time slightly and check it stays juicy.
- Replace Dried oregano with Fresh oregano for a brighter flavour; use about 1 tbsp, finely chopped, in the marinade.
- Replace Sweet paprika with Smoked paprika for a smokier finish.
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 3 days
- Store cooked chicken in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat in the air fryer at 180°C (355°F) for 3 to 5 minutes until piping hot; assemble pittas fresh so the salad stays crisp.
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Recipe overview
- Servings: 2 servings
- Total time: 30min (25min active)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cuisine: Greek
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Allergens:
Gluten Milk Wheat
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