Name: 20 Minute Air-Fryer Chicken Gyros Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: 4 Boneless Chicken Thighs; 6 Garlic Cloves (minced); 1/2 Lemon (juiced); 3 tbsp Olive Oil; 1 tsp Salt, Black Pepper, Garlic Powder, Smoked Paprika; 1/4 tsp Chili Flakes; 100 g Butter (softened); 1/2 Lemon (juiced); Pinch Salt & Black Pepper; Pinch Chili Powder (optional); Naan bread; Tzatziki Sauce; French Fries (homemade or frozen); Red Onion (diced); Tomato (diced); Cucumber (diced)

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If you’re looking for a quick and utterly irresistible weeknight dinner, these 20 Minute Air-Fryer Chicken Gyros will blow you away. Picture juicy, flavorful chicken with a smoky, garlicky edge, nestled in warm naan and layered with cool tzatziki, crisp veggies, and crispy fries. It’s everything you love about your favorite street food—made easy and speedy in your own kitchen.

20 Minute Air-Fryer Chicken Gyros Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe is all about maximizing flavor while keeping things practical and simple. Every ingredient plays a star role here—bringing vibrant colors, fresh textures, and mouthwatering taste that truly shine in these 20 Minute Air-Fryer Chicken Gyros.

Boneless Chicken Thighs: Juicy and tender after air-frying, thighs hold up beautifully to the bold marinade.
Garlic Cloves (minced): The key to deep, savory flavor—don’t skimp!
Fresh Lemon Juice: Adds zesty brightness that cuts through the richness of the chicken and butter.
Olive Oil: Keeps the chicken moist and helps the seasonings stick.
Salt, Black Pepper, Garlic Powder, Smoked Paprika: This blend makes the marinade so craveable—smoky, peppery, and perfectly balanced.
Chilli Flakes: For the tiniest backnote of heat—add more if you love a kick.
Butter (softened): Basting the chicken with butter is my secret weapon for maximum flavor.
Additional Lemon Juice (for butter): Extra zing when mixed with butter and spices.
Pinch Salt & Black Pepper: To season the butter and make every element pop.
Chili Powder (optional): For those who want an extra hit of warmth in the butter.
Naan Bread: Soft, pillowy, and ideal for wrapping up all those mouthwatering fillings.
Tzatziki Sauce: Creamy, tangy, and cooling—an absolute must in every gyro.
French Fries (homemade or frozen): Adds that classic gyro touch and irresistible crunch.
Red Onion (diced): Sharp and vibrant, balancing out the richness perfectly.
Tomato (diced): Juicy, fresh pops of sweetness with every bite.
Cucumber (diced): Cool, crisp texture that complements the other fillings beautifully.

How to Make 20 Minute Air-Fryer Chicken Gyros

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

The magic begins with the marinade. Toss the chicken thighs with minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, olive oil, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and chilli flakes in a large bowl. Make sure every piece is well coated—this brings serious flavor and tenderness. Cover and marinate for as long as you can; even 30 minutes does wonders, but longer means richer flavor.

Step 2: Cook the Chicken

Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto skewers for that classic look and easy handling. Pop them in your air fryer (or bake in the oven) at 400°F (200°C) for 18–20 minutes, flipping halfway through. You’re aiming for golden, caramelized edges and juicy centers. The air fryer really shines here, making chicken taste like it was grilled in half the time!

Step 3: Prepare the Seasoned Butter

While your chicken cooks, mix up the seasoned butter. Combine softened butter with more lemon juice, a pinch of salt and black pepper, and a sprinkle of chili powder if you’re feeling bold. This simple step turns ordinary cooked chicken into something truly luscious.

Step 4: Finish the Chicken

When the chicken comes out of the air fryer, baste it generously with your seasoned butter while it’s still hot. This not only infuses the chicken with rich, tangy flavor but also gives the exterior a glossy, irresistible finish.

Step 5: Warm the Naan

Don’t skip this! Heat your naan bread in a skillet or briefly in the air fryer. You want it warm, soft, and pliable—ready to wrap up your glorious gyro filling without splitting.

Step 6: Assemble the Gyros

This is the most fun part. Spread a generous swoosh of tzatziki over the naan, pile on the French fries, then layer in the buttery chicken pieces, fresh diced veggies, and any other favorite toppings. Tightly wrap your gyro in parchment for that authentic handheld experience.

Step 7: Serve & Enjoy

Your 20 Minute Air-Fryer Chicken Gyros are ready! Serve them fresh and warm so the flavors, juices, and textures are at their best. It’s street food bliss, made easy.

How to Serve 20 Minute Air-Fryer Chicken Gyros

Garnishes

Give your gyros a sprinkling of extra chopped parsley or dill for a burst of color. A drizzle of olive oil or a squeeze of lemon right before serving brightens everything up. Crumbled feta is always a welcome touch too, adding a creamy and salty finish that works delightfully with the seasoned chicken.

Side Dishes

While these 20 Minute Air-Fryer Chicken Gyros are quite a meal on their own, a crisp Greek salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, and feta is the perfect refreshing side. Or, try serving extra fries, warm pita chips, or a simple herbed rice pilaf to round out the table.

Creative Ways to Present

Have guests build their own gyros at the table for a fun, interactive dinner. Or roll each one in parchment and serve them upright in a basket for an authentic street-food vibe. Mini gyros using smaller naan or pita bread make great party appetizers, too!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you end up with extra chicken or assembled gyros, wrap them tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to three days. Keep the chicken, veggies, and bread separate whenever possible to prevent sogginess and preserve those fresh textures that make 20 Minute Air-Fryer Chicken Gyros so satisfying.

Freezing

The cooked, unassembled chicken freezes beautifully. Simply portion it into airtight containers or freezer bags, squeezing out as much air as possible. It’ll keep well for about two months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

To bring your 20 Minute Air-Fryer Chicken Gyros back to life, pop the chicken in the air fryer or a hot skillet until warmed through. Warm the naan separately, then assemble everything fresh. If you’re in a pinch, a quick zap in the microwave will work, though you’ll lose a bit of crispiness.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?

Absolutely! Chicken breast works too, though you’ll want to keep a close eye on it to avoid overcooking—thighs are more forgiving and juicy, but breasts will still soak up all that amazing marinade flavor.

Is it possible to make these gyros gluten-free?

Yes! Simply swap the naan or pita bread for your favorite gluten-free alternative, and double-check that your fries and seasonings are gluten-free as well. Everything else in these 20 Minute Air-Fryer Chicken Gyros is naturally gluten-free.

What if I don’t have an air fryer?

You can easily bake the chicken skewers in your oven at 400°F (200°C); it just might take a couple minutes longer to get those golden, crispy edges. A grill or stovetop grill pan will work too—just adjust the timing as needed.

Can I marinate the chicken overnight?

Definitely! Overnight marination only boosts the flavor and tenderness of your chicken. When you’re ready to cook, just thread onto skewers and proceed with the recipe as usual.

What’s the best way to make homemade fries for gyros?

For perfect homemade fries, cut potatoes into thin sticks, toss with a bit of olive oil and your favorite spices, then bake or air fry at high heat until crispy. Or, grab frozen fries for a true 20 Minute Air-Fryer Chicken Gyros shortcut!

Final Thoughts

I can’t encourage you enough to give these 20 Minute Air-Fryer Chicken Gyros a spot in your regular dinner rotation. They’re so fun to make, seriously flavorful, and impressively quick. Once you take a bite, you’ll see why I keep coming back to this recipe again and again—your kitchen will feel just like a bustling Mediterranean café!

20 Minute Air-Fryer Chicken Gyros Recipe

★★★★★

5.2 from 9 reviews

Author: Sophie
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

These 20 Minute Air-Fryer Chicken Gyros are a quick and delicious meal option that combines flavorful marinated chicken with fresh veggies, tzatziki sauce, and seasoned butter wrapped in warm naan bread.

Instructions

Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, mix chicken with marinade ingredients. Marinate for 30 minutes.
Cook the Chicken: Thread chicken on skewers. Air fry or bake at 400°F for 18–20 minutes.
Prepare the Seasoned Butter: Mix softened butter with listed ingredients.
Finish the Chicken: Baste cooked chicken with seasoned butter.
Warm the Naan: Heat naan until soft.
Assemble the Gyros: Spread tzatziki on naan, add fries, chicken, veggies. Wrap tightly.
Serve & Enjoy: Serve warm and fresh for a delightful meal.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Air-Fryer, Baking
Cuisine: Mediterranean