Chicken Skewers

Name: Chicken Skewers
Prep time: 50 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 70 min
Ingredients: 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast (cut into 1 inch cubes); 3 tablespoons oilve oil; 4 cloves garlic (minced); 1/2 cup parmesan (freshly grated); 1 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 3/4 teaspoon salt; 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped); 2 tablespoons lemon juice; 4 tablespoons unsalted butter; 3 cloves garlic (minced); 1/4 cup parmesan cheese (freshly grated); 1 teaspoon lemon juice; 1 teaspoon parsley; 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

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These flavor-packed, steakhouse worthy Chicken Skewers make a juicy, irresistible main dish that will change the way you’ll cook chicken forever. Tender cuts of chicken breast are marinated in a luxurious, savory parmesan sauce and air fried into golden-brown bites of joy. Brush them with extra garlic parm goodness and serve over a bed of rice, with your favorite veggies or on their own, right off the skewer!

A plate of chicken skewers with lemon slices and parsley

You’ll Love Chicken Skewers

Easy Chicken Recipe – Cooking chicken can be daunting and sometimes boring. Try this air fryer chicken skewers recipe for a fun switch up!

Flavorful – The garlic-parmesan sauce used for this recipe is incredibly addictive so proceed with caution.

Dinner Decider – I already know my family will gladly eat these garlic parmesan chicken skewers, so all I have to do is pair them with a side or two and voila! Dinner is decided and made in no time.

Fun to Eat – My family gets a kick out of eating anything on a stick, so they love when I make this.

Customizable – Throw some vegetables on the stick for some chicken kebabs, or switch up the sauce you use for a marinade!

Why does food on a stick taste better? Corn dogs, street corn, fair food? There must be a scientific explanation for it. All I need to know is that these parmesan chicken skewers are wildly irresistible. Once you try them you’ll see for yourself!

Ingredients

This is a discussion about the ingredients. For the actual recipe with amounts, please see the recipe below.

Chicken – I used boneless skinless chicken breasts. Chicken thighs will work as well.
Parmesan – I prefer freshly grated parmesan cheese, but you can use pre-grated if you’d like.
Garlic – Highly recommend using fresh, minced garlic. It has the best flavor. The jar kind works as well.
Parsley – The color and brightness of fresh parsley is unbeatable. You can use dried parsley instead. You can also use cilantro but it will change the flavor a bit.
Lemon Juice – Fresh lemon juice is ideal, but you can use the bottled kind instead.
Butter – Unsalted butter is what I would use, since lots of seasonings and salt will be added to this recipe, but you can use the salted kind if you omit some salt from the recipe.

How To Make Chicken Skewers

This is a discussion about the recipe directions. For the actual recipe with amounts, please see the recipe below.

Mix marinade ingredients and toss in the cubes of chicken. Set in the fridge for 30 minutes.
In a saucepan sauté garlic and butter. Remove from heat and add remaining ingredients. Combine.
Thread chicken onto skewers.
Air fry, rotating chicken halfway. Remove when cooked through and golden.
Brush with the butter sauce. Sprinkle with extra parsley or parmesan. Serve and enjoy!

A brush adding garlic butter sauce to chicken skewers

A skewer with garlic parmesan chicken on it

Tips & Advice

Storage – Allow the chicken to cool completely then store the leftover skewers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-5 minutes, or until warmed through. You can also store the skewers in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Toppings & Additions – If you’d like, you can thread some veggies in between the chicken. Onion, zucchini, eggplant or bell peppers are a popular choice. You can also switch up the sauce, buffalo, teriyaki or honey bbq would be a great alternative.

Grilling Method – If you don’t have an air fryer, you can throw these on the grill instead. It might cook a bit quicker depending on the heat of your grill. 10-15 minutes is a good benchmark, just be sure to flip them halfway through cooking.

Batch Cooking – Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the skewers in batches. Overcrowding the air fryer basket could result in undercooked chicken.

A plate of chicken skewers with a garlic butter sauce and lemons

Equipment

You’ll need a few mixing bowls, an air fryer and some skewers. I used metal skewers because you don’t have to prepare them. If you use wooden skewers, be sure to soak them in water for at least 20 minutes so they don’t burn while cooking.

FAQs

What goes on a chicken skewer?

For this recipe specifically, I just put chicken on the skewers, but you can add veggies like peppers, zucchini or onions in between the meat.

What is the secret to juicy chicken kebabs?

Allowing the chicken to sit in the marinade for 30+ minutes will help add flavor and tenderness to the chicken. I don’t recommend marinating for any longer than an hour or two because the lemon juice could start cooking the chicken.