Description
These Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers are a flavorful and juicy dish perfect for a quick and delicious meal. Marinated with a blend of spices and coated in a rich garlic parmesan butter sauce, the chicken is cooked to perfection in the air fryer for a tender and satisfying bite every time. With a hint of heat from red pepper flakes and hot sauce, balanced by fresh parsley and creamy Parmesan, this recipe is sure to impress.
Ingredients
Chicken and Seasoning
- 2 lbs chicken tenders, thighs, or breast, cut into 3" pieces
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp 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 (increase if desired)
- 2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/3 cup fresh parsley, minced
Instructions
- Soak Skewers: Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning during cooking.
- Season Chicken: In a small bowl, mix paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Place chicken pieces in a large bowl or zip-top bag, add olive oil and seasoning mixture, and toss to coat evenly.
- Skewer Chicken: Thread chicken pieces tightly onto soaked skewers, ensuring no gaps between pieces to keep the chicken juicy. Trim skewers as needed to fit into the air fryer.
- Prepare Garlic Parmesan Butter Sauce: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt butter with minced garlic until partially melted. Whisk in red pepper flakes, hot sauce, fresh parsley, and grated Parmesan until fully combined. If sauce separates, add 1-2 tablespoons softened butter and stir to re-emulsify.
- Baste Par-cooked Chicken: Reserve one-third of the sauce for basting chicken during initial cooking to avoid cross-contamination. Use a clean basting brush to apply sauce to the par-cooked chicken.
- Cook Chicken in Air Fryer: Cook 2-3 chicken skewers at a time in the air fryer at 400°F for 5 minutes. Remove and flip skewers, baste with sauce, then cook an additional 2 minutes at 400°F.
- Finish Cooking: Flip skewers again, baste with more sauce, and cook for 5-6 more minutes or until the internal temperature of chicken reaches 165°F. Total cooking time will be approximately 12-14 minutes depending on air fryer model.
- Final Touch: After cooking, brush the skewers with the reserved clean garlic parmesan sauce, sprinkle extra Parmesan on top, and serve immediately.
Notes
- Soaking wooden skewers prevents them from burning inside the air fryer.
- Ensure chicken pieces are tightly packed on skewers to retain moisture during cooking.
- Use a meat thermometer to guarantee the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F.
- Basting with clean sauce after cooking avoids cross-contamination.
- Cooking times may vary depending on the size of chicken pieces and the brand of air fryer.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American