Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers Recipe

Introduction

These Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers are a flavorful and juicy treat that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or entertaining guests. With a crispy air-fried exterior and a rich garlic butter sauce, they’re as delicious as they are easy to make.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs chicken tenders, thighs, or breast
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 stick butter
• 8-10 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup Parmesan, grated
• 1 tbsp hot sauce (more if desired)
• 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
• 1/3 cup fresh parsley, minced
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning during cooking.
2. Step 2: In a small bowl, combine paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to create the seasoning mix.
3. Step 3: Cut chicken into 3-inch pieces. Place in a large bowl or zip-top bag, add olive oil and seasoning mixture, and toss until well coated.
4. Step 4: Thread the chicken pieces tightly onto soaked skewers, ensuring no gaps for maximum juiciness. Trim the skewers if needed to fit your air fryer.
5. Step 5: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt butter with minced garlic until partially melted. Stir in red pepper flakes, hot sauce, parsley, and Parmesan until combined. If sauce separates, add a bit more softened butter and whisk to re-emulsify.
6. Step 6: Reserve about one-third of the sauce for basting the partially cooked chicken. Use the remaining sauce after cooking to avoid cross-contamination. Remember to wash your basting brush between uses.
7. Step 7: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Cook 2-3 skewers at a time for 5 minutes.
8. Step 8: Remove skewers, flip them, baste with reserved sauce, and return to the air fryer for 2 more minutes.
9. Step 9: Flip the skewers back, baste again, then cook for an additional 5-6 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Total cook time is about 12-14 minutes, depending on your air fryer.
10. Step 10: Once cooked, brush the skewers with the remaining clean garlic Parmesan sauce, sprinkle with extra Parmesan, and serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

• For extra smoky flavor, add a pinch of smoked paprika to the seasoning mix.
• Use chicken thighs for juicier, more flavorful skewers, or chicken breast for a leaner option.
• If you don’t have an air fryer, grill the skewers over medium-high heat, turning and basting frequently until cooked through.
• Adjust the amount of hot sauce and red pepper flakes to control the heat level to your preference.

Storage

Store leftover chicken skewers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or air fryer until warmed through. To avoid drying out, baste with a little extra garlic butter before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?

It’s best to use thawed chicken for even cooking. If using frozen chicken, make sure it is fully thawed and patted dry before seasoning and skewering.

What can I use instead of wooden skewers?

Metal skewers are a great alternative and don’t require soaking. Just be careful when handling as they get hot during cooking.

Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 121 reviews

These Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers are a flavorful and juicy dish featuring tender chicken pieces marinated in a zesty blend of garlic, parmesan, and spices, then air fried to perfection. Perfect as a quick, protein-packed appetizer or main course, these skewers combine a rich buttery garlic parmesan sauce with a hint of heat from red pepper flakes and hot sauce for an irresistible bite.

• Author: Rico
• Prep Time: 10 minutes (plus 30 minutes for soaking skewers)
• Cook Time: 12-14 minutes
• Total Time: 52-54 minutes
• Yield: 6–8 skewers, serving 4-6 people 1x
• Category: Appetizer, Main Dish
• Method: Air Frying
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken and Marinade

• 2 lbs chicken tenders, thighs, or breast, cut into 3-inch 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 (1/2 cup)
• 8–10 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 tbsp hot sauce (adjust to taste)
• 2 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1/3 cup fresh parsley, minced

Instructions

1. Prep and Soak Skewers: Begin by soaking wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning during cooking.
2. Season the Chicken: In a small bowl, combine paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Place the cut chicken pieces in a large bowl or zip-top bag, add olive oil and the seasoning mixture, tossing well to coat all pieces evenly.
3. Skewer the Chicken: Thread the seasoned chicken pieces tightly onto the soaked skewers, ensuring no gaps to maintain juiciness. Trim the skewers if necessary to fit into the air fryer.
4. Prepare Garlic Parmesan Butter Sauce: In a microwave-safe bowl, partially melt butter with minced garlic. Stir in red pepper flakes, hot sauce, parmesan, and parsley until well combined; if the sauce separates, add softened butter to re-emulsify.
5. Baste and Partial Cook the Chicken: Reserve about one-third of the sauce for initial basting. Use it to baste the chicken skewers before cooking. Place 2-3 skewers in the air fryer and cook at 400°F for 5 minutes.
6. Flip and Baste: Remove skewers, flip them over, baste with sauce again, and cook for an additional 2 minutes at 400°F.
7. Final Cooking Phase: Flip skewers back, baste once more with sauce, and cook another 5-6 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Total cooking time is about 12-14 minutes, varying by air fryer model.
8. Serve: Once cooked, give the skewers a final baste with the reserved clean sauce and sprinkle extra parmesan on top. Serve immediately for best flavor and juiciness.

Notes

• Soaking wooden skewers prevents them from burning in the air fryer.
• Ensure chicken pieces are packed tightly on the skewers to keep them juicy.
• Adjust hot sauce quantity according to your preferred spice level.
• Use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken is cooked through with an internal temperature of 165°F.
• Wash basting brushes between uses of raw and cooked sauce to avoid cross-contamination.
• Trim skewers if they don’t fit in your air fryer basket.

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