These Easy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers are a flavor explosion on a stick! Tender pieces of chicken are seasoned with a savory spice blend, threaded onto skewers, and then cooked until juicy and golden. The best part? They're repeatedly basted with an incredibly addictive Garlic Parmesan Butter Sauce that's packed with garlic, Parmesan, fresh parsley, and a hint of heat. I love how easy these skewers are to make, either in the air fryer or on the grill. They're perfect as an appetizer, a main course, or for meal prep!
Why You'll Love These Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers
- Incredibly Flavorful: The combination of the chicken seasoning and the rich garlic Parmesan butter sauce is simply irresistible.
- Tender and Juicy: Using chicken thighs or tenders ensures the meat stays moist and tender during cooking.
- Easy to Make: This recipe uses simple ingredients and straightforward instructions.
- Versatile Cooking Methods: Perfect for the air fryer or the grill.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Great as an appetizer, main course, or for meal prep.
Ingredients for Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers
Here's what you'll need to make these flavorful skewers. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Chicken Skewers
- Chicken tenders, thighs, or breast, cut into 3" pieces (Meat)
- Olive oil (Oil)
Garlic Parmesan Butter Sauce
- Butter (Fat)
- Garlic, minced (Aromatic)
- Parmesan, grated (Dairy)
- Hot sauce (Condiment)
- Red pepper flakes (Spice)
- Fresh parsley, minced (Herb)
Chicken Seasonings
- Paprika (Spice)
- Garlic powder (Spice)
- Onion powder (Spice)
- Salt (Seasoning)
- Pepper (Spice)
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)
Variations
I love these Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers as is, but here are a few ideas for variations:
- Different Cheese: Use Asiago or Romano cheese instead of Parmesan.
- Add Vegetables: Thread some bell peppers, onions, zucchini, or cherry tomatoes onto the skewers along with the chicken.
- Make it Spicier: Add more hot sauce or red pepper flakes to the butter sauce.
- Different Herbs: Use fresh basil, oregano, or thyme instead of parsley.
- Lemon Zest: Add lemon zest
How to Make Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers
Let me show you how easy it is to make these Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers:
Prep and Skewer Chicken
- Before I start, I make sure to soak my wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes. This prevents them from burning.
- I start by combining my chicken seasoning mixture (paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper) in a small bowl and set it aside.
- I prep my chicken by cutting it into 3-inch pieces.
- I place the chicken pieces in a large bowl or Ziploc bag and toss them in olive oil and the spice mixture, coating them well on all sides.
- I pack the chicken onto each skewer, making sure they are tightly packed with no space in between to ensure maximum juiciness. If needed, I 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
- I add the butter and minced garlic to a microwave-safe bowl and heat until partially melted.
- I add in the red pepper flakes, hot sauce, minced parsley, and grated Parmesan cheese.
- I whisk everything together until combined. (If the sauce separates, I add 1-2 tablespoons of softened butter and stir to re-emulsify.)
- I scoop out ⅓ of the sauce and use that for basting the par-cooked chicken. I reserve the remaining sauce for basting the cooked chicken so I don't cross-contaminate. I make sure to wash my basting brush in between.
Cook The Chicken (Air Fryer Method)
- I cook 2-3 skewers at a time.
- I place them in the air fryer and cook at 400 degrees F (200°C) for 5 minutes.
- I remove and flip the skewers, baste with the first portion of sauce, and return to cook for an additional 2 minutes at 400 degrees F (200°C).
- I flip them back, baste with more of the first portion of sauce, and cook another 5-6 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F (74°C). Total cook time is about 12-14 minutes, but this time will vary based on your air fryer.
Finish and Serve
- Once they are finished cooking, I hit them with a final pass of the clean reserved garlic sauce.
- I sprinkle with some extra Parmesan cheese and serve.
Tips and Tricks for the BEST Chicken Skewers
Here are my secrets for making these skewers truly exceptional:
- Soak Wooden Skewers: If using wooden skewers, soaking them prevents them from burning during cooking.
- Pack Tightly: Packing the chicken tightly on the skewers helps keep it juicy.
- Don't Cross-Contaminate: Use separate portions of the sauce for basting raw/partially cooked chicken and fully cooked chicken.
- Use a Meat Thermometer: The best way to ensure perfectly cooked chicken is to use a meat thermometer.
- Don't Overcook: Chicken tenders and breasts cook quickly; be careful not to overcook them.
How to Serve
These Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers are delicious served:
- As an Appetizer: Perfect for parties and gatherings.
- Main Course: Serve with rice, pasta, roasted vegetables, or a salad.
- In Wraps or Pitas: Remove the chicken from the skewers and serve in wraps or pitas with lettuce and sauce.
- Over Salad: A great way to add protein to your favorite salad.
Make Ahead and Storage
You can marinate the chicken and prepare the sauce ahead of time. Store them separately in the refrigerator. Assemble and cook the skewers just before serving. Leftover cooked skewers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the air fryer, microwave, or oven.
FAQs about Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers
- Can I use chicken breasts or thighs?
- Yes, both work well! Just cut them into uniform 3-inch pieces.
- Can I grill these instead of air frying?
- Absolutely! Grill over medium-high heat, turning and basting frequently, until cooked through (165°F/74°C).
- Can I make these without the hot sauce?
- Yes, you can omit the hot sauce if you prefer a milder flavor.
Enjoy these flavorful, juicy, and easy-to-make Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers! They're a perfect meal or appetizer for any occasion.
Print
Easy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Total Time: 34 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 1x
- Category: Main Course, Appetizer, Chicken
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers are incredibly flavorful and juicy, cooked quickly in the air fryer. Tender chicken pieces are seasoned, skewered, and basted with a rich garlic Parmesan butter sauce for a delicious appetizer or main course.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken & Seasonings:
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken (tenders, thighs, or breasts), cut into 3-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Wooden skewers (see notes)
For the Garlic Parmesan Butter Sauce:
- 1 stick (½ cup, 113g) unsalted butter
- 8-10 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce (e.g., Frank's RedHot), or more to taste
- 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- ⅓ cup fresh parsley, minced
- Extra grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Soak Skewers: If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before use to prevent burning.
- Prepare Chicken Seasoning: In a small bowl, combine the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Prepare Chicken: Cut the chicken into approximately 3-inch pieces. Place the chicken pieces in a large bowl or zip-top bag. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with the prepared seasoning mixture. Toss until the chicken is evenly coated.
- Skewer Chicken: Thread the seasoned chicken pieces onto the soaked skewers, packing them tightly together with minimal space in between. This helps keep the chicken juicy. If your skewers are too long for your air fryer basket, snip off the top few inches after skewering the chicken.
- Make Garlic Parmesan Butter Sauce:
- In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the butter and minced garlic. Microwave until the butter is partially melted.
- Add the red pepper flakes, hot sauce, minced fresh parsley, and grated Parmesan cheese to the bowl. Whisk everything together until combined. (If the sauce separates, add 1-2 tablespoons of softened butter and whisk vigorously to re-emulsify.)
- Reserve Sauce (Important): Scoop out approximately ⅓ of the sauce into a separate small bowl. This portion will be used for basting the par-cooked chicken. Reserve the remaining ⅔ of the sauce in the main bowl for basting the fully cooked chicken to prevent cross-contamination. Use separate basting brushes or wash the brush thoroughly between uses.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- Air Fry (First Cook): Place 2-3 skewers at a time in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer and not overcrowded. Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes.
- Flip and Baste: Remove the air fryer basket. Flip the skewers over. Baste the chicken generously with the first portion (⅓) of the garlic parmesan butter sauce (the one reserved for par-cooked chicken).
- Air Fry (Second Cook): Return the basket to the air fryer and cook for an additional 2 minutes at 400°F (200°C).
- Flip, Baste, and Finish Cooking: Flip the skewers back to the original side. Baste again with the first portion of the sauce. Cook for another 5-6 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) when checked with a meat thermometer. Total cook time should be around 12-14 minutes, but this can vary based on your air fryer and the size of the chicken pieces.
- Final Baste and Serve: Once the chicken skewers are fully cooked, remove them from the air fryer. Brush generously with the remaining reserved (clean) garlic parmesan butter sauce. Sprinkle with extra grated Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Chicken Choice: Chicken tenders, thighs, or breasts can be used. Thighs will generally be juicier. Cut pieces uniformly for even cooking.
- Soaking Skewers: Soaking wooden skewers prevents them from burning in the air fryer. Metal skewers can also be used.
- Packing Skewers: Packing the chicken tightly helps retain moisture.
- Sauce Separation: If the butter sauce separates, whisking in a bit more softened (not melted) butter can help bring it back together.
- Cross-Contamination: It's crucial to use separate portions of sauce (and separate brushes or washed brushes) for basting raw/partially cooked chicken versus fully cooked chicken.
- Air Fryer Variations: Cooking times can vary significantly between air fryer models. Use the time as a guide and rely on an internal meat thermometer for accuracy (165°F/74°C).
- Alternative Cooking Methods: These skewers can also be grilled or baked in the oven. Grilling: Grill over medium-high heat, turning and basting frequently. Oven: Bake at 400°F (200°C) on a lined baking sheet, turning and basting halfway through, until cooked through.
- Storage: Store leftover cooked skewers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat gently.
