Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers Recipe
Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers are a delicious and easy-to-make recipe featuring tender chicken pieces marinated with a blend of spices, then air-fried to juicy perfection and basted with a flavorful garlic parmesan butter sauce. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or entertaining guests.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (including skewer soaking time)
- Cook Time: 12-14 minutes
- Total Time: 27-29 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 2 lbs chicken tenders, thighs or breast, cut into 3-inch pieces
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
Garlic Parmesan Butter Sauce
- 1 stick butter (8 tablespoons)
- 8–10 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tbsp hot sauce (adjust to taste)
- 1/3 cup fresh parsley, minced
Instructions
- Prep and Soak Skewers: Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning during cooking.
- Season the Chicken: In a bowl, combine olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and chicken pieces. Toss well to coat all pieces evenly.
- Thread Chicken on Skewers: Pack the seasoned chicken pieces tightly onto each skewer, leaving no gaps to ensure juiciness. Trim skewer ends if needed to fit in the air fryer.
- Make Garlic Parmesan Butter Sauce: In a microwave-safe bowl, heat butter and minced garlic until partially melted. Stir in red pepper flakes, hot sauce, parsley, and parmesan cheese until well combined. If the sauce separates, add 1-2 tablespoons softened butter and whisk to re-emulsify.
- Baste Partially Cooked Chicken: Reserve 1/3 of the sauce for initial basting. Use this to baste the par-cooked chicken to add flavor before the final cooking.
- Cook Chicken Skewers: Place 2-3 skewers in the air fryer at 400°F (200°C). Cook for 5 minutes, then flip and baste with the reserved sauce. Cook an additional 2 minutes.
- Final Cooking and Basting: Flip skewers back, baste again with sauce, and cook for 5-6 more minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Total cooking time is 12-14 minutes; times may vary based on air fryer model.
- Finish and Serve: After cooking, baste the skewers with the remaining clean garlic parmesan sauce. Sprinkle extra parmesan on top and serve immediately.
Notes
- Soaking wooden skewers prevents them from burning in the air fryer.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is cooked safely to 165°F.
- Adjust hot sauce and red pepper flakes to suit your preferred spice level.
- If you prefer, chicken thighs can be used instead of tenders or breasts for juicier meat.
- Do not reuse sauce for basting after it has touched raw chicken to avoid cross-contamination.
- Trim skewer ends to fit your air fryer basket if necessary.
Keywords: Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers, Air Fryer Chicken, Garlic Butter Chicken, Easy Chicken Skewers, Air Fryer Recipes
