Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers Recipe

Introduction

Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers are a delicious and easy-to-make meal that combines juicy chicken with a flavorful garlic butter sauce. Perfect for weeknight dinners or gatherings, these skewers come out tender and packed with bold flavors.

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 the chicken into 3-inch pieces. Place them in a large bowl or zip-top bag, add olive oil and the seasoning mix, and toss to coat evenly.
4. Step 4: Thread the seasoned chicken pieces tightly onto the soaked skewers with no gaps to ensure juiciness. If needed, trim the skewers to fit your air fryer.
5. Step 5: Prepare the garlic parmesan butter sauce by melting butter and garlic together in a microwave-safe bowl until partially melted. Stir in red pepper flakes, hot sauce, parsley, and parmesan. Whisk until combined. If the sauce separates, add a tablespoon or two of softened butter and stir to re-emulsify.
6. Step 6: Set aside one-third of the sauce for basting the partially cooked chicken. Reserve the remainder for after cooking, using separate brushes to avoid cross-contamination.
7. Step 7: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Cook 2-3 skewers at a time for 5 minutes. Remove and flip the skewers, then baste with the reserved one-third sauce. Return to cook for another 2 minutes.
8. Step 8: Flip the skewers back again, baste with more sauce, and cook for an additional 5-6 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Total cook time is around 12-14 minutes but may vary by air fryer.
9. Step 9: Once cooked, brush the skewers with the remaining clean garlic parmesan sauce, sprinkle with extra parmesan if desired, and serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

• Use chicken thighs for extra tender and juicy skewers.
• Soak skewers to prevent burning and ensure safer cooking.
• Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to the sauce for a zesty twist.
• For less heat, reduce or omit the red pepper flakes and hot sauce.
• Grill these skewers outdoors if you don’t have an air fryer for a smoky flavor.

Storage

Store leftover chicken skewers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the air fryer or oven until warmed through to keep the chicken moist and flavorful.

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 fresh or fully thawed chicken for even cooking and best results. If using frozen, thaw completely before seasoning and cooking.

What if I don’t have an air fryer?

You can cook the skewers on a grill or under the broiler in your oven. Adjust cooking time accordingly and watch closely to prevent burning.

Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 83 reviews

• Author: Harper
• Total Time: 29 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x

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Description

These Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers are a deliciously savory and spicy treat perfect for a quick and flavorful meal. Juicy chicken pieces are seasoned with a blend of paprika, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes, then air fried to perfection and coated in a rich garlic butter parmesan sauce with a hint of hot sauce for a mild kick. Perfectly packed on skewers and finished with fresh parsley, they make an easy appetizer or main dish that’s sure to impress.

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Ingredients

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Chicken and Seasoning

• 2 lbs chicken tenders, thighs, or breast, cut into 3” 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 (8 tbsp) butter
• 8–10 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tbsp hot sauce (adjust for heat preference)
• 1/3 cup fresh parsley, minced

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Instructions

1. Prep and Soak Skewers: Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning during cooking.
2. Season Chicken: In a bowl, combine paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and olive oil. Toss chicken pieces in the mixture until well coated.
3. Skewer the Chicken: Thread chicken pieces tightly onto the soaked skewers with no gaps to retain juiciness. Trim skewer length if necessary to fit your air fryer.
4. Make Garlic Parmesan Butter Sauce: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt butter partially with minced garlic. Stir in red pepper flakes, hot sauce, parsley, and grated parmesan until smooth and combined. If sauce separates, add 1-2 tbsp softened butter to re-emulsify.
5. Par-cook and Baste: Reserve two-thirds of the sauce for later. Use one-third to baste the chicken before cooking.
6. Cook Chicken Skewers: Place 2-3 skewers in the air fryer at 400°F. Cook for 5 minutes, then flip and baste with sauce. Cook another 2 minutes.
7. Final Cooking: Flip back, baste again, and cook for 5-6 more minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Total cook time is about 12-14 minutes, depending on your air fryer.
8. Finish and Serve: Brush with the reserved clean sauce once cooked. Sprinkle extra parmesan and serve immediately.

Notes

• Soaking wooden skewers prevents them from burning in the air fryer or oven.
• Ensure chicken pieces are uniform in size for even cooking.
• If you want milder skewers, reduce the amount of red pepper flakes and hot sauce.
• Always check the internal temperature of chicken to be 165°F for safe consumption.
• You can substitute fresh parsley with dried parsley but use less, about 1 tablespoon.
• Use a clean basting brush for raw and cooked basting to avoid cross contamination.
• Adjust cooking times based on your specific air fryer model and chicken thickness.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 14 minutes
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Air Frying
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers, Air Fryer Chicken, Garlic Butter Chicken, Spicy Chicken Skewers, Easy Chicken Skewers