Hey food lovers! If you’re in the mood for something crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and bursting with flavor, you’re going to love these Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers! They’re easy to make, perfect for dinner, and have a delicious balance of savory garlic, tangy parmesan, and a little hint of spice. Whether you’re cooking for a family meal or serving them up as a fun appetizer, these skewers are sure to impress. The best part? They’re made in the air fryer, so they’re crispy without the mess of deep frying!
Method
Prepare the Chicken
Start by slicing the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces, making sure each piece is roughly the same size for even cooking. In a bowl, combine the chicken pieces with olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, onion powder, and cayenne pepper (if you’re adding a bit of spice). Mix everything together so that the chicken is evenly coated in the seasonings. The olive oil helps to keep the chicken juicy, while the spices add that wonderful savory flavor. Once coated, thread the chicken pieces onto 4 skewers, making sure there’s a small gap at both ends of each skewer. This allows for even cooking and ensures the pieces don’t crowd together. Place the skewers in the air fryer basket and cook at 200°C (400°F) for 10 minutes. The chicken will start to cook and get a nice golden-brown color.
Make the Garlic Parmesan Butter Sauce
While the chicken is cooking, it’s time to prepare the garlic parmesan butter sauce. In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine softened unsalted butter with freshly grated parmesan, minced garlic, finely diced parsley, salt, and black pepper. Stir it all together until it forms a thick, creamy mixture. You want the butter to be soft enough to brush on the chicken, but not melted completely. To achieve this creamy consistency, microwave the mixture in short 5-second bursts, checking each time to make sure it doesn’t become too runny. The butter should have a smooth texture that’s easy to brush on the skewers.
Cook the Chicken and Baste
After 10 minutes of cooking, use a pair of tongs to carefully flip the skewers. Now, it’s time to brush the chicken with a third of the garlic parmesan butter sauce. This will help infuse the chicken with that rich, creamy flavor. After brushing, place the skewers back in the air fryer and cook for another 2 minutes and 30 seconds. Once that’s done, flip the skewers again and brush with the remaining third of the butter sauce. Air fry for another 2 minutes and 30 seconds, or until the chicken is golden on the outside and fully cooked inside. To make sure the chicken is cooked through, check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). The chicken will be juicy and perfectly flavored, with a nice char on the outside.
Final Touch
Once the chicken is cooked to perfection, remove the skewers from the air fryer. Brush the remaining butter sauce over the skewers, and for an extra burst of flavor, sprinkle them with some additional parmesan and fresh parsley while they’re still hot. This last touch will add even more richness and color to the dish. Serve immediately and enjoy the delicious garlic parmesan chicken skewers!
Necessary Tools
- Knife and cutting board
- Air fryer
- 4x 20cm/8” skewers
- Small microwave-safe bowl
- Basting brush
- Tongs
- Mixing bowl
Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers
Cuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy4
servings10
minutes15
minutes25
minutesIngredients
For the Chicken
640g / 1.4lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp paprika
3/4 tsp garlic powder
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional for mild spice)
For the Butter Sauce
75g / 5 tbsp unsalted butter (softened)
20g / 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan
3 cloves of garlic (finely grated or minced)
1 tbsp finely diced fresh parsley
1/4 tsp salt (or to taste)
1/4 tsp black pepper (or to taste)
Directions
- Prepare the Chicken:
Start by slicing the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces. Then, mix the chicken pieces in a bowl with olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper, onion powder, and cayenne pepper. Thread the chicken onto the skewers, leaving a small gap at each end. Make sure the chicken is packed tightly so it stays juicy while cooking. Place the skewers in the air fryer and cook at 200°C (400°F) for 10 minutes. - Make the Garlic Parmesan Butter Sauce:
While the chicken is cooking, make the delicious garlic parmesan butter sauce! In a small bowl, combine softened butter with freshly grated parmesan, minced garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper. Microwave it in short 5-second bursts until the butter softens to a creamy consistency. You want it soft enough to brush onto the skewers, but not completely melted. - Cook the Chicken and Baste:
After 10 minutes of cooking, flip the skewers carefully using tongs. Brush the chicken with a third of the garlic parmesan butter sauce, then air fry for another 2 minutes and 30 seconds. Flip the skewers again and brush with another third of the butter. Air fry for another 2 minutes and 30 seconds or until the chicken is golden and cooked through (check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F or 74°C). - Final Touch:
Once the chicken is perfectly cooked and lightly charred, remove it from the air fryer. Brush the remaining butter sauce over the skewers and sprinkle with extra parmesan and fresh parsley. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- When flipping the chicken in the air fryer, be gentle with the skewers to avoid breaking the chicken pieces apart.
- Make sure the chicken pieces are compact on the skewers to ensure even cooking and maximum juiciness.
- Keep an eye on the butter sauce if it melts too much, it might be harder to brush onto the chicken evenly. You want it creamy, not liquid.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve these Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers with a side of roasted vegetables for a wholesome meal.
- Pair them with a fresh salad or some crispy French fries for a well-rounded dinner.
- These skewers also go perfectly with a side of creamy mashed potatoes or rice for a filling option.
Fun Fact
Did you know that chicken thighs are more flavorful and juicier than chicken breasts? They have more fat, which makes them tender and perfect for grilling or air frying!
Conclusion
These Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers are a fun and flavorful meal that’s quick and easy to make! The combination of crispy chicken, rich garlic butter, and parmesan makes each bite irresistible. Whether you’re cooking for a weeknight dinner or impressing guests at a gathering, these skewers are sure to be a hit. Try them out and let me know what you think happy cooking!
