If you’re a fan of air fryer chicken skewers then you’ll love these Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers. Juicy chicken pieces are seasoned to perfection, then slathered in a buttery, garlicky parmesan sauce that’s seriously addictive. Grill, bake, or air fry these skewers for an easy, flavor-packed meal that everyone will love!
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Every time I make these garlic parm chicken skewers, they disappear in minutes. And it just takes one bite to understand why! The garlic parmesan butter sauce tastes incredibly delicious with the tender, golden brown pieces of chicken.
The skewers make them perfect for serving as appetizers or a main course. Imagine serving these at your next backyard BBQ or game day party—they’ll be a hit for sure!
If you love these garlic parm chicken kebabs, you need to check out Crispy Green Beans, Bang Bang Chicken Skewers, and Soy Garlic Chicken Thighs.
Jump to:
- Here’s what you need to make
- How to make Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers
- Substitutions for this air fryer chicken skewers
- Equipment
- 9 Kitchen Essentials
- How to store and reheat Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers
- Top tips for success
- Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers - FAQ
- Serving Suggestions for Different Occasions
- Related
- How to serve Garlic Parm Chicken Skewers
- Don't miss out!
- Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers Air Fryer
- Food safety
Here’s what you need to make
- Chicken thighs
- Avocado oil
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Smoked paprika
- Garlic Parmesan Sauce
- Unsalted butter
- Parmesan cheese
- Garlic
- Parsley
- Smoked paprika
- Salt
See recipe card for quantities.
How to make Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers
Making air fryer chicken skewers is easy. Here are my step-by-step instructions.
- Step 1: Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces. Mix in the spices.
- Step 2: Skewer and air fry.
- Step 3: Make your garlic, parmesan softened butter.
- Step 4: Brush the butter while the chicken is still hot.
Prepare the Chicken: Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces (e.g. 1-inch pieces). In a large bowl, toss the chicken with avocado oil, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika until evenly coated.
Cook the Chicken: Thread the seasoned chicken onto skewers. Air fry at 400°F for 15-20 minutes, grill on medium heat for 12-15 minutes, or bake at 425°F for 20-25 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through, when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
Make the Garlic Parmesan Sauce: In a small pan, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Sauté the minced garlic until golden and fragrant, about 1-2 minutes, then set garlic butter aside. In a small bowl, combine the remaining butter, parmesan cheese, sautéed garlic, parsley, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
Finish the Skewers: Once the chicken skewers are cooked, brush the cooked chicken generously with the garlic parmesan sauce.
Serve and Enjoy: Serve the skewers warm, and enjoy the savory garlic parmesan flavors!
Substitutions for this air fryer chicken skewers
- Chicken Thighs: Use boneless skinless chicken breasts or even pork if you prefer.
- Avocado Oil: Substitute any neutral oil to marinate the chicken cubes.
- Garlic and Onion Powder: If you want something more complex, use Italian seasoning or lemon pepper seasoning.
- Smoked Paprika: Use regular paprika mixed with some cayenne pepper and red pepper flakes for some heat.
Garlic Parmesan Sauce
- Unsalted Butter: Use vegan butter or other oil like coconut oil or extra-virgin olive oil.
- Parmesan Cheese: Some great options are Pecorino Romano, Grana Padano, and Manchego. If vegan, opt for nutritional yeast.
- Parsley: Basil, cilantro, or chives are excellent alternatives for a delicious garlic parm sauce.
Equipment
- Air fryer
- Wooden skewers (or metal skewers)
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Bowl
check out my list...
9 Kitchen Essentials
life-changing tools that will make your time easier in the kitchen!
How to store and reheat Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers
Storing:
Let them cool completely, then place them in an airtight container.
Reheating:
Place the garlic parm chicken skewers in the air fryer or oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5 minutes until warmed through, or microwave in short intervals, ensuring they don’t dry out. Enjoy!
Top tips for success
- Use Fresh Parmesan – Freshly grated parmesan melts better and adds more flavor.
- Hot and Quick – Cook the skewers on high heat for juicy, tender chicken.
- Brush While Hot – Add the sauce immediately after cooking to soak in all the buttery garlic goodness!
- Soak the bamboo skewers – Soak for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning.
- Marinate for Extra Flavor - Let the chicken sit in the seasoning for 30 minutes to enhance flavor absorption.
- Avoid Dryness - Don’t overcrowd the air fryer or oven to ensure even cooking.
- Check Doneness - Use a meat thermometer to confirm the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers - FAQ
Yes, they are low in calories and high in protein. These skewers also use minimal oil, so it’s a healthier alternative to deep-fried or greasy appetizers. You can enjoy this guilt-free!
I like to use boneless skinless chicken thighs for this recipe. They’re easy to cut into cubes and cook evenly on the skewer. Plus, they’re much juicier and flavorful than chicken breasts.
Absolutely! You can prepare and marinate the chicken up to a day in advance and store them in the fridge until ready to cook.
Mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a crisp green salad pair perfectly with these chicken skewers!
Yes! Fresh parsley adds a bright, herbaceous flavor to the garlic parmesan sauce.
Absolutely! A splash of lemon juice can enhance the chicken seasoning with a subtle tangy flavor while adding some Vitamin C.
While fresh garlic adds great flavor, it’s best to stick with garlic powder for this recipe, especially if using an air fryer. Fresh garlic can burn easily in the high heat of the air fryer, which may result in a bitter taste. Garlic powder ensures even seasoning without the risk of burning.
Serving Suggestions for Different Occasions
Here are just a few different ways to enjoy this garlic parmesan chicken skewers recipe:
BBQ Party: Add grilled corn and a fresh cucumber salad for a perfect outdoor spread.
Casual Dinner: Pair with mashed potatoes and steamed broccoli for a hearty, comforting meal.
Game Day: Serve as an appetizer with dipping sauces like ranch or garlic aioli.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
How to serve Garlic Parm Chicken Skewers
As a busy mom, I tend to keep things simple for dinner and stick to a protein, side, and salad or roasted vegetables. Here are some ideas for Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers:
- Serve with rice and a side of Garlic Braised Kale.
- Pair with Garlic Fried Rice.
- Also, serve this with Asian Coleslaw as a refreshing side salad.
Don't miss out!
Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers Air Fryer
If you’re a fan of garlic and parmesan (who isn’t?!), you’re going to love these Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers. Juicy chicken pieces are seasoned to perfection, then slathered in a buttery, garlicky parmesan sauce that’s seriously addictive. Grill, bake, or air fry these skewers for an easy, flavor-packed meal that everyone will love!
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 skewers 1x
Ingredients
8 pieces boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-size pieces
1 tablespoon avocado oil
½ teaspoon salt
½ black pepper
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
Garlic Parmesan Sauce:
½ cup unsalted butter
¼ cup parmesan cheese
4 cloves of garlic, minced
2 tablespoon finely chopped parsley
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Prepare the Chicken:
- Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces. In a large bowl, toss the chicken with avocado oil, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika until evenly coated.
Cook the Chicken:
- Thread the seasoned chicken onto skewers. Air fry at 400°F for 15-20 minutes, grill on medium heat for 12-15 minutes, or bake at 425°F for 20-25 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through.
Make the Garlic Parmesan Sauce:
- In a small pan, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Sauté the minced garlic until golden and fragrant, about 1-2 minutes, then set aside. In a bowl, combine the remaining butter, parmesan cheese, sautéed garlic, parsley, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
Finish the Skewers:
- Once the chicken skewers are cooked, brush the hot chicken generously with the garlic parmesan sauce.
Serve and Enjoy:
- Serve the skewers warm, and enjoy the savory garlic parmesan flavors!
Notes
Use Fresh Parmesan – Freshly grated parmesan melts better and adds more flavor.
Hot and Quick – Cook the skewers on high heat for juicy, tender chicken.
Brush While Hot – Add the sauce immediately after cooking to soak in all the buttery garlic goodness!
Soak the bamboo skewers – Soak for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: mains
- Method: air fryer
- Cuisine: American
Food safety
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
PS: Don’t lose this delicious recipe!
📌 Pin recipe to your favorite board to save it for later, or Print recipe for easy access while cooking. Check back soon for new recipes and don't forget to explore my other air fryer recipes!
Tracy L Boothe says
Can this recipe be frozen to be eaten at a later date.
Carmen Spillette says
Yes, this can definitely be frozen and be eaten at a later date. You can freeze it for up to 3 months.
Sam says
This garlic parmesan chicken skewers air fryer recipe was amazing and so easy to make!! Going to be a weekend fave. Thanks, Carmen!