Description
These Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers are juicy, flavorful, and perfectly spiced bites of chicken coated in a rich, garlicky parmesan butter sauce. Cooked quickly in the air fryer, they offer a deliciously crispy outside and tender inside, ideal for a weeknight dinner or special occasion. With easy prep and versatile cooking methods including oven and grill options, this recipe is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 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 black pepper
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 more if desired)
- 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
- 1/3 cup fresh parsley, minced
Instructions
- Prepare Skewers: Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning during cooking. This step is crucial for safe and even cooking.
- Season Chicken: In a bowl, combine paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Toss chicken pieces with olive oil and the seasoning mixture until well coated. This ensures flavorful chicken.
- Assemble Skewers: Thread the seasoned chicken pieces tightly onto the soaked skewers with no gaps to retain juiciness. Trim skewers as needed to fit your cooking device.
- Make Garlic Parmesan Butter Sauce: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt butter partially with minced garlic. Add red pepper flakes, hot sauce, parsley, and grated Parmesan. Whisk until smooth. If sauce separates, stir in 1-2 tablespoons softened butter to re-emulsify.
- Baste Chicken Before Cooking: Reserve about a third of the sauce for initial basting. Use a clean brush to coat the par-cooked chicken, avoiding cross-contamination by washing the brush between uses.
- Cook Chicken (Air Fryer Method): Place 2-3 skewers in the air fryer at 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes. Flip skewers, baste with sauce, and cook an additional 2 minutes. Flip back, baste again, then cook for a final 5-6 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), totaling 12-14 minutes. Timing may vary by air fryer.
- Final Sauce and Serve: Once cooked, give the skewers a final coat of the clean reserved garlic parmesan butter sauce. Sprinkle extra Parmesan cheese on top and serve hot for best flavor.
Notes
- Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 450°F (232°C). Arrange skewers on foil-lined rimmed baking sheet. Bake 14 minutes, flipping and basting with butter sauce halfway through. Switch oven to broil and cook 2 more minutes for a golden finish. Baste one last time with sauce and sprinkle Parmesan before serving.
- Grill Preparation: Preheat grill to medium-high. Cook skewers directly over heat for 5-6 minutes per side, basting frequently with butter sauce. Finish by basting once more and sprinkling Parmesan cheese.
- Soaking wooden skewers prevents burning and splitting during cooking.
- Ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safety.
- Adjust hot sauce and red pepper flakes to control spice level.
Keywords: garlic parmesan chicken skewers, air fryer chicken skewers, easy chicken skewers, garlic butter chicken, spicy garlic parmesan chicken