Name: Air Fryer Chicken Skewers
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 lb chicken thighs (cut to 2” pieces); ½ tsp garlic powder; ½ tsp onion powder; ½ tsp paprika; ¼ tsp cayenne pepper; 1/4 tsp tumeric; 1/2 tsp kosher salt; ½ tsp black pepper; 1 tbsp avocado oil; 6 cloves garlic (minced); 8 tbsp salted butter; 1 tbsp freshly chopped parsley (plus more for garnish); 1 tbsp honey

Air Fryer Chicken Skewers (VIDEO) are about to become your new weeknight hero! Are you tired of the same old boring chicken dinners? Do you crave that irresistible smoky char of grilled chicken without the hassle of firing up the grill? Then get ready to fall in love with this incredibly easy and ridiculously delicious recipe. These air fryer chicken skewers deliver all the juicy, tender, and flavorful goodness you’d expect, but with a fraction of the time and effort. People absolutely adore them because they’re incredibly versatile – perfect for a quick lunch, a fun appetizer, or a satisfying main course. What truly sets these air fryer chicken skewers apart is how the air fryer crisps up the marinade beautifully, creating little pockets of intense flavor on every bite, making them utterly irresistible and a guaranteed hit with everyone at your table. You won’t believe how simple it is!

Air Fryer Chicken Skewers (VIDEO)

Get ready for a flavor explosion with these incredibly easy Air Fryer Chicken Skewers! We’re talking tender, juicy chicken coated in a savory spice blend and then finished with a luscious, buttery garlic sauce. The air fryer works its magic, giving us perfectly cooked, slightly crispy bits of chicken in no time. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner, a fun appetizer for a crowd, or just a healthy and delicious way to enjoy chicken, these skewers are an absolute winner. And yes, the video tutorial is right here to guide you every step of the way!

Ingredients:

1 lb chicken thighs (cut to 2” pieces)

½ tsp garlic powder

½ tsp onion powder

½ tsp paprika

¼ tsp cayenne pepper

1/4 tsp turmeric

½ tsp kosher salt

½ tsp black pepper

1 tbsp avocado oil

6 cloves garlic (minced)

8 tbsp salted butter

1 tbsp freshly chopped parsley (plus more for garnish)

1 tbsp honey

Cooking Instructions:

Prepare the Chicken and Marinade: First things first, let’s get our chicken ready. Take your 1 lb of boneless, skinless chicken thighs and cut them into roughly 2-inch pieces. We want them to be bite-sized and cook evenly. In a medium bowl, combine the cut chicken pieces with our dry spice rub. This includes ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp onion powder, ½ tsp paprika, ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (adjust this if you prefer less or more heat!), ¼ tsp turmeric for a beautiful color and subtle earthy flavor, ½ tsp kosher salt, and ½ tsp black pepper. Add the 1 tbsp of avocado oil to help the spices adhere to the chicken. Now, get your hands in there and toss everything together until each piece of chicken is thoroughly coated. This simple marinade is packed with flavor and will form a delicious crust as it cooks. You can let this marinate for at least 15-30 minutes at room temperature, or even longer in the refrigerator if you have the time – the longer it marinates, the more the flavors will penetrate the chicken. If you’re using wooden skewers, now is a good time to soak them in water for about 30 minutes to prevent them from burning in the air fryer.

Air Fry the Chicken: Once your chicken is marinated and your skewers are ready (if using), it’s time to get them into the air fryer. Arrange the chicken pieces onto your prepared skewers, leaving a little space between each piece so they can cook evenly and get crispy. Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. You might need to cook in batches depending on the size of your air fryer. Place the skewers in a single layer in the air fryer basket. We’re going to air fry these at 400°F (200°C) for about 10-12 minutes. About halfway through the cooking time, at around the 5-6 minute mark, it’s a great idea to flip the skewers. This ensures that all sides of the chicken get nicely browned and cooked through. You’ll know they’re done when the chicken is cooked all the way through and has a lovely golden-brown exterior with slightly crispy edges. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C).

Make the Garlic Butter Sauce: While the chicken is air frying, let’s whip up our incredibly decadent garlic butter sauce. In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the 8 tbsp of salted butter. Once the butter is melted and just starting to foam, add your 6 cloves of minced garlic. We want to gently sauté the garlic in the butter for about 1-2 minutes, just until it’s fragrant and softened. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as burnt garlic can turn bitter. Once the garlic is fragrant, stir in the 1 tbsp of honey. The honey will add a touch of sweetness that beautifully balances the savory garlic and butter. Remove the saucepan from the heat.

Finish with Parsley and Serve: Once the chicken skewers are cooked to perfection, it’s time to bring everything together. Carefully remove the skewers from the air fryer basket. Place them in a clean bowl. Now, pour the warm garlic butter sauce over the hot chicken skewers. Add the 1 tbsp of freshly chopped parsley to the bowl. Toss everything gently to coat each skewer with the luscious sauce. The heat from the chicken will help the sauce meld beautifully. For an extra touch of freshness and visual appeal, sprinkle a little more chopped parsley over the top.

Serve and Enjoy: Your Air Fryer Chicken Skewers are now ready to be devoured! Serve them immediately while they are warm and the sauce is still glistening. These are fantastic on their own as a protein-packed snack or appetizer. They also make a wonderful main course when served with a side of rice, a fresh salad, roasted vegetables, or even some crusty bread to sop up any extra sauce. The combination of the tender, juicy chicken with the rich, garlicky, and slightly sweet butter sauce is simply irresistible. You’ll be amazed at how quickly these disappear! We hope you enjoy making and eating these as much as we do. Don’t forget to check out the video for a visual guide!

Conclusion:

So there you have it! These Air Fryer Chicken Skewers are a total game-changer for a quick, healthy, and incredibly delicious meal. The air fryer’s magic creates perfectly tender and juicy chicken with a delightful crispy exterior in a fraction of the time and with minimal oil compared to traditional frying. It’s a recipe I find myself coming back to again and again, especially on busy weeknights.

They are wonderfully versatile. I love serving these skewers alongside a fresh Greek salad for a light and satisfying lunch, or with fluffy rice and steamed broccoli for a more substantial dinner. They’re also fantastic as appetizers for gatherings! Don’t hesitate to get creative with your marinade too. Consider a teriyaki glaze, a spicy chili-lime blend, or even a creamy peanut sauce for a different flavor profile. I encourage you all to give these Air Fryer Chicken Skewers a try – you won’t be disappointed!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use different cuts of chicken?

Absolutely! While boneless, skinless chicken thighs are my favorite for their tenderness and ability to stay moist, you can certainly use chicken breast. Just be mindful of cooking time with breast meat, as it can dry out more quickly. Cutting it into similar-sized pieces will ensure even cooking.

How do I prevent the chicken from sticking to the skewers?

Soaking wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes before threading the chicken is key! This prevents them from burning in the air fryer. Metal skewers don’t require soaking, but ensure your chicken pieces aren’t too loose, which can cause them to spin.

Can I prepare the marinated chicken in advance?

Yes, you absolutely can! Marinating the chicken for a few hours, or even overnight in the refrigerator, will allow the flavors to penetrate deeply, resulting in even more delicious chicken skewers. Just be sure to store it in an airtight container.