Are you looking for an easy Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers recipe? Look no further! These air-fried skewers are easy to make and taste delicious. Fast, effortless, and bursting with flavor, they’re the go-to for busy evenings when you want maximum deliciousness with minimal fuss.
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Chicken Skewers
- Irresistible Flavor: These skewers are coated in a mouthwatering garlic parmesan sauce that infuses every bite with incredible taste.
- Quick and Easy: Whip up a satisfying meal in no time.
- Tender and Juicy: The air fryer locks in moisture, ensuring your chicken stays tender, juicy, and full of flavor.
- Family Favorite: A crowd-pleaser that kids and adults will love, making it a go-to dish for gatherings.
- Versatile: Serve as a tasty appetizer, pair with a side salad, or make a wholesome dinner with your favorite veggies.
After our Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Skewers became super popular on social media, we just had to share another amazing flavor using the same simple and foolproof technique.
You can make these easily in the air fryer, or you can bake or grill them.
✅ Ingredients for Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers
Olive Oil: Use a good quality olive oil. Extra virgin olive oil adds a rich flavor.
- Paprika: Regular paprika provides a mild, sweet flavor and a nice reddish color to the chicken. You can also use smoked paprika for a smoky twist.
- Garlic Powder: Adds a concentrated garlic flavor without the texture of fresh garlic.
- Onion Powder: Enhances the overall savory taste of the dish.
- Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings to bring out the flavors in the chicken.
- Tabasco Green Pepper Sauce: This sauce adds a hint of tanginess and a mild spicy kick. Adjust the amount based on your heat preference.
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs: Boneless and skinless chicken thighs are preferred for their tenderness and juiciness. You can use chicken breasts, but they may require slightly less cooking time.
- Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and flavor to the garlic-parmesan sauce.
- Garlic: Freshly chopped or minced garlic provides robust garlicky taste. Adjust the amount according to your taste.
- Red Chili Flakes: Adds a subtle heat.
- Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated parmesan cheese offers a nutty and salty element.
- Lemon Juice: Provides a zesty and bright flavor that balances the richness of the butter and cheese.
- Fresh Parsley: Chopped fresh parsley adds a fresh, herby finish. You can also use other herbs like chives or thyme.
ow to make Chicken Kebabs ( Skewers)
Preparation: Fill a casserole dish with water and soak the wooden skewers until you’re ready to use them. This prevents them from getting burned in the air fryer
In a large bowl or resealable plastic bag, combine the olive oil, regular paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and Tabasco Green Pepper Sauce. Add the chicken pieces and toss them to ensure an even coating on all sides.
Carefully slide the chicken pieces onto each skewer, packing them tightly to prevent gaps and maximize juiciness. If needed, trim the top few inches of the skewers to fit comfortably in the air fryer after threading the chicken.
Make the Garlic Parmesan Butter Sauce: Melt the butter in a saucepan or skillet on low heat. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes, stirring for about 1 minute until garlic is fragrant. Remove from heat and let it cool for 1-2 minutes. Mix in parmesan, lemon juice, and parsley, stirring until well combined.
Set aside one-third of the sauce for basting the partially cooked chicken. Retain the remaining sauce for basting the FULLY COOKED chicken, ensuring there’s no risk of cross-contamination.
Cook the Chicken Skewers: Arrange the chicken skewers in the air fryer basket and cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 6-7 minutes. After 7 minutes, turn the skewers, apply the basting sauce, and continue cooking for another 6-7 minutes at 400 degrees until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. The total cooking time should be approximately 12-14 minutes.
When ready, brush them with the garlic sauce (using the reserved clean sauce) and add an extra sprinkle of parmesan before serving.
Pro Tips
- Soak the wood skewers in water to keep them from burning in the air fryer. Depending on the skewer wood, soak them for 20 to 30 minutes.
- Marinate overnight to boost the flavor.
- Be sure to promptly remove the skewers from the air fryer after cooking to avoid dryness and overcooking.
- Feel free to experiment with different seasonings like red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, sesame seeds, chili powder, Italian seasoning, or a touch of brown sugar to create your ideal taste.
Making Ahead
Marinate the chicken overnight. When ready to cook the skewers, arrange them in your air fryer basket. Brush with the garlic Parmesan sauce. You can also prep ahead by wrapping them in plastic wrap. When you’re set to air fry, just place in the basket and cook!
STORING
- Cool Down: Allow the skewers to cool down to room temperature before storing.
- Airtight Container: Place in an airtight container. You can use a plastic container or a resealable plastic bag.
- Separation: If you’re stacking the skewers, consider placing a piece of parchment paper or plastic wrap between the layers to prevent sticking.
- Refrigeration: Store the container in the refrigerator. The chicken skewers can be refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.
- Labeling: We recommend to label the container with the date so you can keep track of freshness.
Serving
Consider pairing them with options like a fresh garden salad, Steamed Broccoli, rice, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, buttered corn on the cob, or a light and refreshing coleslaw. These sides complement the flavorful chicken skewers and create a well-balanced and satisfying meal.
FAQs on Air Fryer Chicken Kabobs ( Skewers)
Absolutely, you can bake the skewers in the oven at around 400°F (200°C) for approximately 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Yes! Just ensure that the metal skewers you use are oven-safe and compatible with your air fryer.
Reheat the skewers in the air fryer at a lower temperature for a few minutes to avoid overcooking and maintain their tenderness.
Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers
Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers made effortlessly in the air fryer. Elevate your skewer game with savory goodness!
Ingredients
Chicken Skewers
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons regular paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon Tabasco Green Pepper Sauce
- 2 lbs. boneless and skinless chicken thighs, cut into 3-inch pieces
- nonstick cooking spray
Garlic Parmesan Butter Sauce
- ½ cup unsalted butter ( 1 stick)
- 10 cloves garlic, finely chopped or minced
- ⅓ teaspoon red chili flakes
- ½ cup parmesan, grated
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- ⅓ cup fresh parsley, minced
Instructions
- Preparation: Soak your wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes.
- In a large bowl or a resealable plastic bag, mix together the oil, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper and Tabasco Green Pepper Sauce.
- Add the chicken and toss to coat on all sides.
- Thread the chicken tightly onto each skewer, ensuring there is no space in between to maximize juiciness. If necessary, trim the top few inches of the skewers to fit in the air fryer after threading the chicken.
- Make the Garlic Parmesan Butter Sauce: Melt the butter in a saucepan over low heat. Stir in minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Whisk until the garlic becomes fragrant, approximately 1 minute. Take the saucepan off the heat and allow to cool down for 1-2 minutes, add the parmesan, lemon juice and parsley, stirring to blend.
- Reserve one-third of the sauce to use for basting the partially cooked chicken. Keep the rest of the sauce for basting the FULLY COOKED chicken to prevent any cross-contamination.
- Cook the Chicken: Place the chicken skewers in the air fryer and cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 6-7 minutes. After 7 minutest, flip the skewers, apply the sauce for basting, and cook for an additional 6-7 minutes at 400 degrees, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. The total cooking time should be around 12-14 minutes.
- Once done, brush them with the remaining butter garlic sauce (using the reserved clean sauce) and sprinkle with extra parmesan before serving.
-
Making Ahead: You can marinate the chicken a day in advance, but we advise against cooking it ahead and reheating, as it may make the chicken dry.
Oven Method: Preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Arrange the chicken skewers on a rimmed baking sheet lined with non-stick aluminum foil. Cook for about 14 minutes, flipping them halfway through and basting with butter a few times during baking. Next, switch the oven to broil and cook for an additional 2 minutes to achieve a golden-brown top. Once done, take the skewers out of the oven, baste them one last time with the butter sauce, and sprinkle with any remaining parmesan.
Grill Method: If you’re using a grill, preheat it to medium-high heat. Place the prepared skewers over direct heat on the grill and cook each side for 5-6 minutes, basting with butter throughout the cooking process. Once they’re cooked to your liking, remove them from the grill. Give the skewers a final basting with the butter sauce and sprinkle with any leftover parmesan for added flavor.
Store the container in the refrigerator. The chicken skewers can be refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.
