These Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers are my new favorite way to cook chicken. They’re juicy, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make, whether you’re using an air fryer, oven, or grill. I love how the chicken gets perfectly cooked and slightly charred, and the garlic parmesan butter sauce adds a delicious richness and tang.
I’m always looking for new ways to cook chicken, and this recipe is a real winner. It’s perfect for a quick and easy weeknight dinner, a fun weekend lunch, or even a casual backyard barbecue. Plus, the skewers make them perfect for serving a crowd.
Why You’ll Love These Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers
- Juicy and Flavorful: The chicken is marinated in a simple mixture of olive oil and spices, then cooked to perfection, resulting in juicy and flavorful skewers.
- Easy to Make: This recipe is incredibly easy to follow, even for beginner cooks.
- Versatile: You can cook these skewers in an air fryer, oven, or grill, making them a versatile option for any occasion.
- Crowd-Pleaser: These skewers are always a hit with everyone, from kids to adults.
Ingredients for Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers
Here’s what I use to make these delicious skewers:
- Chicken: I like to use chicken tenders, but you can also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts.
- Olive Oil: This helps to keep the chicken moist and flavorful.
Garlic Parmesan Butter Sauce:
- Butter: The base of our flavorful sauce.
- Garlic: Minced garlic adds a punch of flavor.
- Parmesan Cheese: Grated Parmesan cheese adds a salty, nutty flavor.
- Hot Sauce: Adds a kick of heat.
- Red Pepper Flakes: For extra spice.
- Fresh Parsley: Adds a fresh, herby flavor.
Chicken Seasonings:
- Paprika: Adds a smoky flavor and a beautiful color to the chicken.
- Garlic Powder and Onion Powder: Add a savory depth of flavor.
- Salt and Pepper: To season the chicken.
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)
Variations
Want to try something different? Here are a few ideas:
- Lemon Herb: Add some lemon zest and chopped fresh herbs, like rosemary or thyme, to the butter sauce.
- Spicy Honey: Mix some honey and sriracha into the butter sauce for a sweet and spicy flavor.
- Veggie Skewers: Add some vegetables, like bell peppers, onions, or zucchini, to the skewers.
- Different Protein: Try using shrimp or beef instead of chicken.
How to Make Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers
Step 1: Prep and Skewer the Chicken
I start by soaking my wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes. This helps prevent them from burning in the air fryer, oven, or grill. Then, I combine the chicken seasonings in a small bowl. I cut the chicken into 3-inch pieces and toss them with olive oil and the spice mixture in a large bowl. Finally, I thread the chicken onto the skewers, making sure they’re tightly packed.
Step 2: Make the Garlic Parmesan Butter Sauce
I melt the butter and garlic together in a microwave-safe bowl. Then, I add the red pepper flakes, hot sauce, parsley, and Parmesan cheese, whisking until everything is combined. I set aside about 1/3 of the sauce for basting the cooked chicken later.
Step 3: Cook the Chicken
I cook the chicken skewers in my air fryer at 400°F for about 12-14 minutes, flipping them halfway through and basting with the sauce. You can also cook them in the oven or on the grill (see notes for instructions).
Step 4: Serve
Once the chicken is cooked through, I baste it with the remaining garlic parmesan butter sauce and sprinkle with some extra Parmesan cheese. Then, I serve the skewers immediately.
Tips and Tricks
- Soak the Skewers: Soaking the skewers helps prevent them from burning.
- Even Cooking: Make sure the chicken pieces are similar in size so they cook evenly.
- Don’t Overcrowd: Don’t overcrowd the air fryer or baking sheet. This will ensure that the chicken cooks evenly and gets crispy.
How to Serve
I love serving these Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers with:
- Rice or Potatoes: A classic pairing!
- Salad: A simple green salad is a refreshing complement to these flavorful skewers.
- Grilled Vegetables: Grilled corn on the cob, zucchini, or bell peppers would be delicious alongside these skewers.
Make Ahead and Storage
- Make Ahead: You can marinate the chicken up to 24 hours in advance.
- Storing: Store leftover skewers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Reheat the skewers in the air fryer, oven, or microwave until warmed through.
FAQs
1. Can I use a different type of chicken?
Yes, you can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts.
2. Can I make these skewers without an air fryer?
Yes, you can bake them in the oven or grill them.
3. Can I freeze these skewers?
Yes, you can freeze the uncooked skewers for up to 2 months. Just thaw them in the refrigerator before cooking.
There you have it! A simple and delicious recipe for Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers. I hope you enjoy them!
PrintGarlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 skewers 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers are bursting with flavor! Tender chicken is marinated in a blend of spices, then cooked to perfection and coated in a rich garlic parmesan butter sauce. They’re easy to make and perfect for a quick and delicious meal.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken tenders, thighs, or breast
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Garlic Parmesan Butter Sauce:
- 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
Chicken Seasonings:
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Prep and Skewer Chicken: Before you start, soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes. Combine the chicken seasoning mixture in a small bowl and set aside. Cut chicken into 3″ pieces. Place them in a large bowl or ziptop bag and toss in olive oil and the spices, coating well on all sides. Pack the chicken onto each skewer, making sure they are tightly packed. If needed, snip the top few inches of the skewers to fit in the air fryer after the chicken is skewered.
- Make the Garlic Parmesan Butter Sauce: Add the butter and garlic in a microwave-safe bowl and heat until partially melted. Add in red pepper flakes, hot sauce, parsley, and parmesan. Whisk together until combined. (If the sauce separates, add 1-2 tablespoons of softened butter and stir to re-emulsify.) Scoop out 1/3 of the sauce and use that for basting the par-cooked chicken. Reserve the remaining sauce for basting the cooked chicken so you don’t cross-contaminate. Be sure to wash your basting brush in between.
- Cook the Chicken (Air Fryer): Cook 2-3 skewers at a time. Place in an air fryer and cook at 400 degrees for 5 minutes. Remove and flip the skewers, baste with sauce, return to cook an additional 2 minutes at 400 degrees. Flip them back, baste with more sauce and cook another 5-6 minutes or until the internal temp reaches 165 degrees. Total cook time of 12-14 minutes. This time will vary based on your air fryer.
- Serve: Once they are finished cooking, baste with the clean, reserved garlic sauce and sprinkle with some extra parmesan. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Place chicken skewers on a rimmed baking sheet lined with foil and cook for 14 minutes, flipping halfway through and basting with butter a few times throughout the baking process. Switch the oven to broil and cook an additional 2 minutes to get the tops golden brown. Remove from the oven and baste one last time with the butter sauce and sprinkle with leftover parmesan.
- Grill Preparation: Preheat your grill to medium-high. Place the prepared skewers over direct heat and cook each side for 5-6 minutes each, basting with butter throughout the cooking process. Remove from the grill and baste one last time with the butter sauce and sprinkle with leftover parmesan.
- Chicken: You can use boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thighs, or tenders for this recipe.
- Soaking Skewers: Soaking wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes helps prevent them from burning during cooking.
- Internal Temperature: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 skewer
- Calories: 450kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *