Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers (2024)

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This post is all about how to make air fried Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers; juicy chicken pieces that are basted in the most delectable garlic parmesan butter sauce.

Looking to steal the spotlight at your next gathering? These garlic parmesan chicken skewers are the perfect party appetizer or equally amazing for an easy weekday dinner and they’re bound to be one of the best chicken dishes you’ve ever had!

Basted throughout the cooking process, these garlic parmesan chicken skewers are so tender they just fall right off the skewers.

After my Hot Lemon Pepper Chicken Skewers went crazy on social media, I had to give ya’ll with another incredible flavor using the same easy and fail-proof method.

You can easily make these in the air fryer (method used for the photos) or you can bake or grill them. I paired my skewers over warm rice and added some of the leftover garlic-parm butter into the rice for the most incredible meal.

This recipe post is all about how to make air fried Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers.

Key Ingredients in Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers

Chicken Tenders – you can use breast or thighs but I prefer how moist tenders are.
Butter – one stick of butter is used.
Garlic – lots of garlic is used, about 8-10 cloves
Parmesan – grated parm is the best for this recipe as it easily incorporates in the butter sauce.
Hot sauce – just a tablespoon to give this chicken a little kick without adding too much heat.
Seasonings – paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes
Fresh Parsley – the fresh parsley adds the perfect herbiness to balance the savory butter sauce.
Don’t forget the wooden skewers!

How to Make Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers

Step 1: Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes.

Combine spice mixture in a small bowl and set aside. Prep your chicken by cutting in 3″ pieces. Place them in a bowl and toss in olive oil and the spices, coating well on all sides.

Step 2: Pack the chicken onto each skewer, making sure they are tightly packed with no space in between to ensure maximum juiciness. If needed, snip the top few inches of the skewers to fit in the air fryer after the chicken is skewered

Step 3: Make the garlic parmesan sauce by combining all ingredients into a saucepan over low heat. Scoop out 1/3 of the sauce and use that for basting the chicken as it cooks. Reserve the remaining sauce for basting the cooked chicken so you don’t cross contaminate.

Step 3: Cook 2-3 skewers at a time in an air fryer at 400 degrees for 5 minutes. Remove and flip the skewers and baste with sauce, returning to cook an additional 2 minutes at 400 degrees.

Baste with more sauce and cook another 5-6 minutes or until the internal temp reaches 165 degrees. A total cook time of 12-14 minutes. Once they are finished cooking, hit them with a final pass of the garlic sauce (the reserved sauce) and sprinkle with some parmesan and serve.

Tools I Use:

Air-Fryer Sized Skewers

Metal Air Fryer Sized Skewers

Stainless Steel BPA-Free Air Fryer

Looking for More Delish Recipes?

Easy Chicken Tetrazzini

Fried Chicken Elote Tacos

Hot Lemon Pepper Chicken Skewers

Cajun Firecracker Salmon Bites

I hope you enjoy this easy Air Fryer recipe for Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers. Be sure to comment below with any questions or feedback! If you make these or any other recipes, don’t forget to tag me on IG @BadBatchBaking to be featured on my story. Seeing your recreations makes my day!

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4.95 from 17 votes

Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers

Fall-apart chicken skewers. These are basted with a homemade garlic parmesan sauce throughout the cooking process and easily prepared in an air fryer.

Enjoy as an appetizer or serve over a bed of rice and veggies spread with leftover garlic parmesan butter

**SEE NOTES for oven or grill instructions**

Prep Time20 minutes mins

Cook Time15 minutes mins

Total Time35 minutes mins

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, make sure to soak your wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes.
Start by combining your chicken seasoning mixture in a small bowl and set aside. Prep your chicken by cutting in 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 with no space in between to ensure maximum juiciness. 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 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

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.
Once they are finished cooking, hit them with a final pass of the garlic sauce (the clean reserved sauce) and sprinkle with some extra parmesan and serve.

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 half way through and basting with butter a few times throughout the baking process.

Switch the oven to broil and cook an additional 2 minutes so get the tops golden brown. Remove from the oven and baste it 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 it one last time with the butter sauce and sprinkle with leftover parmesan.