This Air Fryer Chicken Gyros is packed with protein and goodness, and is bound to be your new favourite healthy lunch or dinner. Each bite is a delightful combination of tender perfectly seasoned chicken, a flavourful avocado tzatziki, and a satisfying crunch from the homemade fries that makes you forget you’re eating healthy.
Macros for Air Fryer Chicken Gyros
Per Wrap (4):
Calories: 425
Carbohydrates: 38
Protein: 36
Fat: 14
More tasty and healthy Lunch/Dinner Ideas:
Vietnamese Inspired Noodle Bowl with Air fryer Lemongrass Chicken
Single Serve Chilli Prawn Noodles in under 15 minutes
Spicy Peanut Gochujang Noodles with Turkey Mince
Healthy Pad See Ew- over 40g protein!
Healthy Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Air Fryer Chicken Gyros with an Avocado Tzatziki
This Air Fryer Chicken Gyros is packed with protein and goodness, and is bound to be your new favourite healthy lunch or dinner. Each bite is a delightful combination of tender perfectly seasoned chicken, a flavourful avocado tzatziki, and a satisfying crunch from the homemade fries that makes you forget you're eating healthy.
Ingredients
Air Fryer Chicken
- 450 g Chicken Thighs approx 3 medium thighs or 1 pound
- 3 tbsp yogurt
- 1 lemon juice + zest
- 3-4 cloves fresh garlic minced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp oregano dried
- 1 tsp thyme fresh or dried
Avocado Tzatziki
- 1/2 avocado reserve the other half to slice for serving
- 1/4-1/3 cup greek yogurt
- 1 cucumber seeds removed, shredded and excess liquid squeezed out
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 lemon juiced
- 3-4 cloves fresh garlic minced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- dill fresh or dried
- mint fresh or dried
Homemade Fries
- 400 g white potatoes
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/2 tsp mixed herbs
Extra wrap ingredients
- 4 pita's homemade or store bought (this recipe uses a homemade pita with a 1 ingredient dough)
- 1 tomato thinly sliced
- 1/2 red onion thinly sliced
- 1/2 avocado thinly sliced
Instructions
Marinate and Cook the Chicken
- In a mixing bowl, combine yogurt, lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, and the seasonings (salt, pepper, paprika, oregano, thyme)
- Add the chicken thighs to the marinade, ensuring they are fully coated. Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes or, for richer flavor, marinate overnight in the refrigerator
- Preheat your air fryer to 200°C (392°F). Place the marinated chicken thighs in a single layer in the basket and air-fry for approximately 15 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until the chicken is cooked through and golden brown. If pan-frying, cook the chicken for 12-15 minutes until it's cooked through and nicely browned
- Once cooked, cover the chicken in foil and let it rest while you prepare the fries
Homemade Fries
- Toss the cut potato fries in olive oil and seasonings (paprika, salt, pepper, mixed herbs)
- Air-fry the fries at 160°C for 10 minutes, then increase the temperature to 180°C (356°F) and air-fry for an additional 10 minutes or until they are crispy and golden. Alternatively, you can bake them in the oven at 180°C (356°F) for 20-25 minutes
Prepare the Avocado Tzatziki
- In a bowl, mash the half avocado
- Add yogurt, shredded cucumber (ensure excess liquid is squeezed out), red wine vinegar, lemon juice, minced garlic, and the seasonings (salt, pepper, dill, and mint). Mix until well combined. Adjust seasonings to taste
Assemble Gyros
- Warm the Pita Bread over a hot pan or grill
- Spread a generous amount of the Avocado Tzatziki on each pita
- Top with sliced tomatoes, red onions, avocado slices, the cooked and chopped chicken, and a portion of homemade fries
- Fold the pita over the fillings, and it's ready to enjoy!
Cooking Tips for Air Fryer Chicken Gyros
- Marinate for Flavor: Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes, or better yet, overnight. This allows the chicken to absorb the flavors of the marinade, resulting in more tender and flavorful meat.
- Uniform Slicing: Ensure that the chicken thighs are sliced to a uniform thickness. This helps in even cooking, whether you’re using an air fryer or pan-frying.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheating your air fryer to the specified temperature before adding the chicken ensures that the chicken starts cooking immediately and gets that crispy exterior.
- Don’t Overcrowd: When using the air fryer, arrange the marinated chicken thighs in a single layer without overcrowding the basket. Overcrowding can lead to uneven cooking, and you might not achieve the desired crispiness.
- Flip for Even Cooking: If you’re using the air fryer, flip the chicken halfway through the cooking time. This helps ensure that both sides get evenly browned and crispy.
- Rest the Chicken: After cooking, cover the chicken with foil and let it rest for a few minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute within the meat, keeping it juicy and tender.
- Squeeze the Cucumber: When preparing the Avocado Tzatziki, be sure to squeeze out all the excess liquid from the shredded cucumber. This prevents the sauce from becoming watery.
- Adjust Seasonings: Taste and adjust the seasonings in the Avocado Tzatziki sauce according to your preference. You can add more lemon juice, garlic, or herbs to suit your taste.
- Keep Pita Warm: Warm the pita bread before assembling your gyros. You can do this in a dry pan, on a griddle, or in the microwave wrapped in a damp paper towel. Warm pita is more pliable and enhances the overall experience.
- Customize Your Gyros: Feel free to customize your gyros with additional toppings like olives, feta cheese, or hot sauce to suit your personal taste.
How to Store + Meal Prep
It is best to store the Ingredients separately for meal prep and prepare your gyros wrap the day of consumption.
Here’s a guide on how to store and meal prep your gyros:
1. Storing Cooked Chicken:
- After cooking the chicken, allow it to cool to room temperature.
- Store the cooked chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Make sure the container is well-sealed to prevent the chicken from drying out or absorbing other odors in the fridge.
- The cooked chicken can be stored for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
2. Storing Avocado Tzatziki:
- The Avocado Tzatziki sauce can also be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- To prevent the avocado from browning, press a layer of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the sauce to minimize exposure to air.
- The sauce is best when consumed within 2-3 days.
3. Preparing Pita Bread:
- If you plan to use the gyros for meal prep, consider storing the pita bread separately in a resealable bag or container to keep it fresh.
- Warm the pita bread as needed, either in the microwave or on a griddle, just before assembling your gyros.
4. Reheating:
- When you’re ready to enjoy your meal prepped gyros, reheat the chicken separately in the microwave or on a skillet until heated through.
- Warm the pita bread and fries as needed.
- Assemble your gyros just before eating, ensuring that each component is fresh and delicious.
5. Freeze for Longer Storage (Optional):
- If you want to store your gyros for a longer period, you can freeze them. However, it’s best to freeze the individual components separately for better quality.
- Freeze the cooked chicken in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag for up to 2-3 months.
- Avocado Tzatziki sauce can be frozen as well, but the texture may change slightly upon thawing.
- Reheat the chicken and assemble the gyros after thawing and just before eating.
By following these storage and meal prep tips, you can enjoy the convenience of Air Fryer Chicken Gyros throughout the week without sacrificing flavor or quality.
