Description
Delicious Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers featuring tender chicken pieces seasoned with a flavorful blend of spices, grilled or air-fried to perfection, and coated with a rich garlic parmesan butter sauce that adds a perfect balance of heat and creaminess for a crowd-pleasing meal.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 lbs chicken tenders, thighs, or breast
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Garlic Parmesan Butter Sauce
- 1 stick butter (approximately 4 oz or 113 grams)
- 8-10 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, 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 black pepper
Instructions
- Soak Skewers: Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning during cooking.
- Prepare Chicken and Season: Cut chicken into approximately 3-inch pieces. In a large bowl or zip-top bag, combine chicken pieces with olive oil and all chicken seasonings, tossing well to coat evenly.
- Skewer Chicken: Thread the seasoned chicken pieces tightly onto the soaked skewers with no gaps to retain juiciness. Trim skewers if needed to fit your cooking device.
- Make Garlic Parmesan Butter Sauce: In a microwave-safe bowl, partially melt butter with minced garlic. Stir in red pepper flakes, hot sauce, fresh parsley, and grated parmesan until combined and smooth. If the sauce separates, add 1-2 tablespoons softened butter and whisk to re-emulsify.
- Baste with Sauce (First Basting): Reserve about one-third of the sauce for basting the partially cooked chicken. Use a clean brush and avoid cross-contamination.
- Cook Chicken Skewers in Air Fryer: Place 2-3 skewers at a time in the air fryer at 400°F (204°C). Cook for 5 minutes, then flip and baste with reserved sauce. Cook an additional 2 minutes. Flip again, baste, and cook for a final 5-6 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Total cooking time is approximately 12-14 minutes, varying by air fryer model.
- Final Basting and Serving: After cooking, give the chicken skewers a final brush with the remaining clean garlic parmesan butter sauce. Sprinkle extra parmesan over the skewers and serve hot.
Notes
- Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 450°F (232°C). Arrange skewers on a rimmed baking sheet lined with foil. Cook for 14 minutes, flipping halfway and basting several times with butter sauce. Switch oven to broil and cook for an additional 2 minutes to brown the tops. Remove, baste once more, and sprinkle with parmesan before serving.
- Grill Preparation: Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Grill skewers over direct heat, cooking each side for 5-6 minutes while basting frequently with butter sauce. Remove from grill, baste a last time, and add a sprinkle of parmesan.
