Description
These Parmesan Chicken Skewers are juicy, flavorful, and quick to prepare, featuring tender chicken coated in a savory blend of spices and a rich garlic parmesan butter sauce. Cooked perfectly in the air fryer, they make a delicious appetizer or main dish that’s sure to impress.
Ingredients
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
Garlic Parmesan Butter Sauce
- 1 stick butter (8 tbsp)
- 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
Instructions
- Prep and Skewer Chicken: Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning. Combine the seasoning spices in a small bowl. Toss the chicken pieces with olive oil and the seasoning mixture, ensuring they are well coated. Thread the chicken pieces tightly onto the skewers without gaps to keep them juicy. Trim skewers if necessary to fit your air fryer.
- Make the Garlic Parmesan Butter Sauce: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter with minced garlic until partially melted. Whisk in red pepper flakes, hot sauce, parsley, and grated parmesan until fully combined. If the sauce separates, stir in 1-2 tablespoons of softened butter to re-emulsify.
- Baste Par-Cooked Chicken: Reserve one-third of the sauce for basting the initial cooking. Apply this reserved sauce to the skewers after the first cooking step to infuse flavor while avoiding cross-contamination.
- Cook the Chicken in the Air Fryer: Place 2-3 skewers in the air fryer basket and cook at 400°F for 5 minutes. Remove, flip the skewers, and baste with sauce. Return to air fryer and cook for an additional 2 minutes. Flip again, baste with more sauce, and cook for 5-6 more minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Total cook time is about 12-14 minutes but may vary by air fryer model.
- Finish and Serve: Brush the fully cooked skewers with the reserved clean garlic parmesan butter sauce. Sprinkle extra parmesan on top and serve immediately while hot and flavorful.
Notes
- Soaking wooden skewers prevents them from burning in the air fryer.
- Ensure skewers are packed tightly with chicken to retain maximum juiciness.
- The cooking time may vary depending on the air fryer’s wattage and size; always check chicken’s internal temperature for safety.
- Use separate basting utensils or thoroughly wash brushes between raw and cooked sauce applications to avoid cross-contamination.
- Adjust the amount of hot sauce and red pepper flakes according to your spice preference.
- If you don’t have an air fryer, these skewers can be grilled or baked but cooking times will differ.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes (plus 30 minutes soaking skewers)
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American