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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Prep and Soak Skewers: Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning during cooking.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Par-cook and Baste: Reserve two-thirds of the sauce for later. Use one-third to baste the chicken before cooking.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
