Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers | Quick Chicken Skewer Recipe

Garlic Parmesan Chicken skewers are the perfect quick and easy weeknight meal. This dish is made with minimal budget-friendly ingredients and is absolutely packed with flavor. Use your air fryer to make clean up a breeze!

Why You’ll Love This Awesome Air Fryer Recipe

• Minimal Ingredients. You only need five simple kitchen staples to make these flavor-packed chicken skewers.
• Ready in a Flash. This recipe is perfect for nights that you need dinner QUICK. These chicken thighs will be ready to eat in under 30 minutes.
• Versatile. The sauce on these chicken skewers can easily be modified to fit your family’s favorite flavor profile.

Whether you need a quick and easy weeknight meal or simply want a flavor-packed meal made in your air fryer, these Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers are guaranteed to be a favorite in your dinner rotation.

Are Chicken Breasts Or Thighs Better For Skewers?

Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers can be made with either chicken breasts or chicken thighs. I personally prefer to use chicken thighs because they are incredibly juicy, flavorful, and inexpensive.

If you choose to make these chicken skewers with chicken breasts, consider marinating them for an hour in plain yogurt to help retain moisture and give an incredibly tender bite.

How Do You Cook Chicken Skewers Without Burning Them?

The secret to cooking wooden skewers in the air fryer or on the grill without burning them is incredibly simple—soak them. If you allow your wooden skewers to soak in water for 5-10 minutes before cooking with them, the water will prevent them from charring.

Of course, you can always use metal skewers for this recipe. The only issue you may run into is the length of the skewers themselves. If you have a basket air fryer, metal skewers may be too long. Some air fryer cooking baskets are on the smaller side, so you may need to snap bamboo skewers in half and cook them that way.

If you STILL have issues with your skewers fitting comfortably or forgot to grab skewers at the store, you can make this recipe without the skewers entirely! Cook according to the instructions below, just skip the part where you add the chicken to the skewers. Reduce the cooking time by 2-3 minutes, but make sure you use a meat thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 165F.

Ingredients To Grab

One of the reasons i adore this dish is because it usually doesn’t require a special trip to the grocery store. With only a handful of ingredients, there’s a good chance you already have all of these ingredients in your kitchen:

• Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
• Butter
• Minced Garlic
• Shredded Parmesan Cheese
• Herbs and Spices

How To Make Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers

Soak the skewers. While your air fryer is preheating, place your wooden skewers in a bowl of water. Allow them to soak for 5-10 minutes to prevent them from burning in the air fryer.

Prepare the chicken. Use a cutting board and sharp knife to cut the chicken thighs into 1-2” chunks. These don’t have to be perfect, just keep them as close to the same size as possible for even cooking.

Fill the skewers. Place the cut pieces of chicken thighs on the skewers. Don’t be afraid to push the pieces close together. You will want 6-8 pieces of chicken per skewer. This will be about 1 chicken thigh per serving. Season with salt and pepper.

Air fry to perfection. Place the chicken skewers in a preheated air fryer basket. Air fry at 400F for 13-15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165F.

Create the garlic parmesan sauce. While the chicken skewers are cooking in the air fryer, create the sauce. Place the unsalted butter and minced garlic in a bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds, or until the butter is melted. Serve well.

Coat and serve. Remove the chicken from the air fryer. Use a basting brush to coat the cooked chicken with the butter garlic sauce. Sprinkle the coated chicken with fresh parsley and shredded parmesan cheese. Serve with your favorite sides and enjoy!

Tips And Tricks

These chicken thigh skewers are incredibly easy to make, but by utilizing a few simple tips and tricks, you can make them perfect every time:

• Cut even pieces. Try to cut your chicken thighs into even 2” pieces. This will allow for even cooking in the time the recipe calls for.
• Use a meat thermometer. Use a meat thermometer to check the thickest part of the skewers. For food safety, they should reach a minimum internal temperature of 165F.
• Season generously. The allure of this recipe is all in the flavorful coating that you brush on at the end. Don’t be shy when it comes time to brush on the butter.

Variations

Love these air fryer chicken skewers but want a way to switch them up to try more flavors? Give some of these tasty twists a try:

• Add some heat. Sprinkle some red pepper flakes or hot sauce in the melted butter for a kick of heat.
• Give it a citrus twist. Squeeze some fresh lemon juice over the top of the seasoned skewers for a light and fresh pop of flavor.
• Swap out the protein. Use chicken breasts or pork tenderloin for these skewers if you’re not a fan of chicken thighs.

What To Eat With Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers

Need ideas to make these Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers a complete meal? Consider some of these tasty sides to turn your dinner table into a weeknight feast:

• Smashed Potatoes
• Buttered Noodles
• Roasted Broccoli
• Steamed Rice
• Hawaiian Rolls

How Long Do They Last?

These Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers are perfect for meal prep! Freshly prepared, you can expect these flavorful chicken bites to last 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Store them in an airtight container or zip top bag to prevent them from drying out or absorbing other flavors from the refrigerator.

Can You Freeze Them?

If you can’t enjoy your Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers within 3-4 days, you can freeze them to enjoy later. Place them in a freezer-safe bag and remove as much air as possible. Label the bag with the date and store in the freezer for up to 4 months for the best flavor and texture.

When you are ready to enjoy your leftovers, place them in the refrigerator overnight to defrost. Pop them in the air fryer at 300F for 3-4 minutes or until warmed through. Brush with additional butter and garlic after warming for a punch of fresh flavor.

More Simple Chicken Recipes

• Lemon Chicken with Orzo
• Springfield Style Cashew Chicken
• Hasselback Chicken
• Honey Soy Chicken
• Buffalo Chicken Dip

If you love this recipe for Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers as much as we do, make sure you share it with your friends on social media so they can try it too! Don’t forget to save it so you can make it again next time you need a quick and easy meal solution.