Air Fryer Chicken Skewers

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By Chris Joe

5 from 25 votes

Nov 02, 2023

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These Air Fryer Chicken Skewers came out so juicy and are a perfect quick weeknight meal! They’re delicately marinated in a blend of delicious spices and then generously brushed with a garlic herb butter that is incredible! The best part? They’re quick and easy done in less than an hour!

Watch the Air Fryer Chicken Skewers Video Below!

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Ingredients for Air Fryer Chicken Skewers

First things first, here is what you’ll need for the BEST Air Fryer Chicken Skewers:

Chicken Marinade
- chicken thighscut to 2” pieces
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- paprika
- cayenne
- kosher salt
- black pepper
- avocado oil
Garlic Herb Butter
- butter
- freshly chopped parsley
- honey
- garlic

What spices should you use for the chicken?

You can use whatever spices you like! For this marinade, this was the spice combination that I like best – it resulted in a smokey, garlic flavor with a bit of spice!

Onion Powder: A dehydrated onion product that imparts a sweet and savory onion flavor, commonly used in dry rubs, soups, and roasted vegetables.
Garlic Powder: Made from dried garlic cloves, it offers a strong and pungent garlic flavor, widely used in pasta sauces, marinades, and seasoning blends.
Turmeric: A vibrant yellow spice known for its earthy, slightly bitter taste and peppery aroma, often found in curry dishes, rice, and soups.
Paprika: Available in various types (sweet, smoked, hot), it adds color, flavor, and mild to moderate heat to dishes, commonly used in European and Mediterranean cuisines.
Cayenne Pepper: A fiery spice made from dried and ground cayenne peppers, it provides intense heat and is used sparingly in chili, sauces, and spicy dishes.

Air Fryer Chicken Skewers - CJ Eats Recipes (3)

Air Fryer Chicken Skewers - CJ Eats Recipes (4)

Where did the skewer cooking technique come from?

The history of skewering food traces back thousands of years, reflecting the ingenuity of humanity in cooking. Originating in ancient Middle Eastern civilizations, the practice of impaling meat and vegetables on skewers and grilling them over open flames become popular, leaving its flavorful mark on diverse cultures.

Skewering food has transcended borders to evolving with culinary traditions and technological advances. Over time, it has not only served as a practical method of cooking but also as a means to infuse flavors, creating a delectable history that continues to bring people together around shared meals.

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Can I substitute the protein?

You could easily substitute the chicken for beef, lamb, or pork! I would suggest using a protein that has a good amount of fat (15-20%) to ensure the skewers turn out nice and juicy!

Tips for the BEST Air Fryer Chicken Skewers:

Choose Boneless, Skinless Chicken: Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for a lean and tender result. Cut them into uniform-sized pieces to ensure even cooking.
Marinate for Flavor: Marinate the chicken for at least 15-20 minutes, or ideally, a few hours to infuse it with flavor.
Soak Wooden Skewers: I did not experience my skewers burning, but if you do and you’re using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before threading the chicken to prevent them from burning in the air fryer.
Preheat the Air Fryer: If needed, preheat your air fryer for about 5 minutes at the recommended temperature for your recipe. Preheating ensures that the chicken will start cooking immediately and helps with even cooking.
Thread Chicken Evenly: Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto skewers evenly, leaving a little space between each piece to allow for proper air circulation.
Lightly Oil the Skewers: Lightly brush the chicken skewers with oil or cooking spray to promote browning and prevent sticking to the air fryer basket.
Arrange in a Single Layer: Place the chicken skewers in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Overcrowding can hinder airflow and result in uneven cooking.
Flip and Rotate: If necessary, flip the chicken skewers halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning on all sides. If your air fryer has a rotating basket, take advantage of it for even cooking.

Did you enjoy this Air Fryer Chicken Skewers recipe? Check out some of the most popular recipes on the blog! Please consider leaving a review and letting me know your thoughts about the recipe. It really helps out the blog!

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5 from 25 votes

By: Chris Joe

Servings: 3

Prep: 25 minutes mins

Cook: 15 minutes mins

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Ingredients

▢ 1 lb chicken thighs, cut to 2” pieces
▢ ½ tsp garlic powder
▢ ½ tsp onion powder
▢ ½ tsp paprika
▢ ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
▢ 1/4 tsp tumeric
▢ 1 tsp kosher salt
▢ ½ tsp black pepper
▢ 1 tbsp avocado oil

Garlic Herb Butter

▢ 1 stick butter
▢ 1 tbsp freshly chopped parsley
▢ 1 tbsp honey
▢ 6 cloves minced garlic

Instructions

Cut chicken thigh into 2 inch pieces and place in a small bowl
In a separate small bowl, mix together garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, kosher salt, and black pepper. Once mixed, add to the chicken pieces along with a tablespoon of avocado oil. Mix thoroughly until combined and marinate for 20 minutes.
Make butter in pot over medium heat. Add minced garlic and stir until fragrant (about 30 seconds). Add honey and freshly chopped parsley and stir to combine. Turn off the heat.
Skewer the chicken pieces tightly onto bamboo skewers. Line the basket with parchment paper and lay the chicken skewers on the parchment paper. Air fry at 400F for 10 minutes. Flip the chicken skewers and air fry at 400F for another 6-8 minutes until golden brown and cooked through (165F internal temp).
Top with parsley and brush with the garlic herb butter and enjoy!

Additional Info

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Mediterranean

Tried this recipe?Mention @cj.eats_ or tag #cjeatsrecipes!

Air Fryer Chicken Skewers - CJ Eats Recipes (8)

About CJ

I’m a third generation Chinese-American home cook who has always loved cooking & eating! Welcome to my food blog, where you can find trusted, tested, easy & approachable recipes for the everyday home cook that taste delicious! I am so glad you're here!

FAQs

Can I put wooden skewers in an air fryer? ›

If using wooden skewers, make sure they have soaked in water for 30 minutes to prevent them from burning. I like to add about 6 to 7 pieces onto each skewer. Add the skewers to the air fryer and air fry for about 6 to 8 minutes at 400°F.

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Do you have to soak skewers before air frying? ›

Start by soaking the wooden skewer for at least 30 minutes. This helps to prevent the meat from sticking to the skewer while cooking and it prevents the wood from burning. I like to use 6-inch or 8-inch skewers (that's what fits inside my air fryer). Cut the chicken into 2-inch pieces and place in a Ziploc bag.

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Can we put steel skewers in air fryer? ›

Yes! Both stainless steel and bamboo skewers can be used in air fryers. If using bamboo skewers, be sure to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes (an hour is better) to keep them from burning.

Get More Info Here ›

How long to cook frozen chicken skewers in the air fryer? ›

Air Fry Frozen

Set temperature to 180°C. Remove from all packaging, wrap exposed skewers with foil. Place into air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 10 minutes.

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Do you have to soak wooden skewers before baking? ›

I mean, it's usually recommended that you soak wooden skewers in water for up to thirty minutes before using them to minimize any fire hazard risks. The wooden skewer absorbs the water and thus, becomes flame resistant.

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Can you put foil in an air fryer? ›

The great news about air fryers is that you can use foil along with parchment paper to cook your food in an air fryer. Just remember that if it's safe and effective to use in a conventional oven, it will work just fine in an air fryer.

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What happens if you don't soak skewers? ›

Those brittle bamboo skewers pulled from the kitchen drawer have to be soaked for at least 30 minutes before they hit the fire, otherwise they start to burn and fall apart. It's the sneaky little secret that's often forgotten when prepping a quick dinner for the grill.

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What do you soak skewer sticks in? ›

Simply fill the dish with water — the water temperature does not matter — and set them aside to absorb the moisture. For most recipes, 30 minutes is the soak time sweet spot. Quick-cooking skewered appetizers, like this antipasto appetizer , are only on the grill for a short time.

What is the difference between metal and wooden skewers? ›

Metal skewers keep the meat firmly on the skewer while wood options provide a durable and natural alternative. If you opt for wooden skewers, be sure to soak them in cold water for at least 30 minutes before using them to avoid burning.

How long to soak wooden skewers before air frying? ›

Tips for the BEST Air Fryer Chicken Skewers:

Soak Wooden Skewers: I did not experience my skewers burning, but if you do and you're using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before threading the chicken to prevent them from burning in the air fryer.

Discover More Details ›

Can you cook Costco chicken skewers from frozen? ›

Quick Tip! You can reheat them directly from the freezer, instead of thawing them in the fridge. Just add a few minutes to the cooking time. Although Costco rotisserie chicken will always be number one in my heart, these skewers are a close second to always have around.

Is it safe to put wood in an air fryer? ›

Many people question if they can use wooden skewers or toothpicks in an air fryer. The good news is, you can.

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Can I put air fryer on wood? ›

Though a wood countertop is very durable, excessive heat can cause warping and burn marks on the wood. It is best to use protective mats underneath the air fryer.

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Can you put wooden toothpicks in air fryer? ›

Occasionally, the fan from the air fryer will blow lightweight foods around. Use wooden toothpicks to secure loose lightweight food, like the top slice of bread on a sandwich. Can I air fry wet, battered ingredients? Yes, but use the proper breading technique.

Read On ›

Can you put wood plank in air fryer? ›

If your air fryer basket is too small to accommodate a full-sized cedar plank, you have two options. You can either cut the cedar plank down to fit the air fryer or use individual cedar grilling planks for each salmon fillet. Both options will still provide the desired flavors and cooking method.