Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers Recipe
These Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers are a delicious and juicy grilled-style treat made easy with the air fryer. Marinated in a flavorful blend of spices and drenched in a rich garlic parmesan butter sauce with a hint of heat from red pepper flakes and hot sauce, these skewers are perfect for a quick dinner or impressive appetizer.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Total Time: 29 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Chicken Skewers
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 2 lbs chicken tenders, thighs, or breast, cut into 3” pieces
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
Garlic Parmesan Butter Sauce
- 1 stick butter (8 tbsp)
- 8–10 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp hot sauce (more if desired)
- 2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/3 cup fresh parsley, minced
Additional
- Wooden skewers (soaked in water for 30 minutes before use)
Instructions
- Prep and Skewer Chicken: Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning. Cut chicken into 3-inch pieces. In a bowl, combine paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and olive oil. Toss chicken pieces in this mixture until thoroughly coated. Thread chicken tightly onto the soaked skewers, trimming skewers if needed to fit the air fryer basket.
- Make the Garlic Parmesan Butter Sauce: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt butter with the minced garlic until partially melted. Add red pepper flakes, hot sauce, chopped parsley, and grated parmesan cheese. Whisk until combined. If sauce separates, stir in 1-2 tablespoons of softened butter to re-emulsify.
- Baste Chicken Before Cooking: Reserve about one-third of the butter sauce for basting the raw chicken skewers prior to cooking. Use the remaining sauce later to avoid cross contamination—clean your basting brush before switching sauces.
- Cook the Chicken in Air Fryer: Preheat air fryer to 400°F. Place 2-3 skewers at a time in the basket. Cook for 5 minutes, then flip and baste with reserved sauce. Continue cooking for 2 more minutes. Flip again, baste once more, and cook for an additional 5-6 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Total cooking time is about 12-14 minutes but may vary depending on air fryer model.
- Finish and Serve: After cooking, give the skewers a final baste with the reserved clean garlic parmesan sauce. Sprinkle extra parmesan on top, garnish with additional parsley if desired, and serve hot.
Notes
- Soaking wooden skewers prevents them from burning during air frying.
- Tightly packing chicken on skewers ensures juiciness and even cooking.
- Adjust hot sauce quantity to taste for desired spiciness.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches safe internal temperature of 165°F.
- Cooking times may vary depending on your specific air fryer model.
Keywords: Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers, Air Fryer Chicken Skewers, Spicy Garlic Chicken, Parmesan Chicken, Easy Chicken Skewers
