Description
These Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers are a flavorful and tender grilled-style appetizer or main dish, featuring juicy chicken cubes coated in a savory garlic and paprika marinade, cooked to perfection in an air fryer, and then coated with a rich, buttery garlic Parmesan sauce for an irresistible taste.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Chicken
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1/4 cup (58 g) mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes
Garlic Parmesan Sauce
- 1/2 cup (1 stick / 113 g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, minced
- 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, finely grated
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken marinade: In a large bowl, combine the mayonnaise, vegetable oil, garlic powder, paprika, kosher salt, and black pepper. Add the cubed chicken breasts and toss well to evenly coat all pieces with the marinade.
- Skewer the chicken: Working with one soaked wooden skewer at a time, thread 4 to 5 marinated chicken cubes onto each skewer ensuring the pieces are snug but not overlapping too much.
- Air fry the chicken skewers: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (204°C). Place the prepared skewers in the basket in a single layer. Air fry for 11 to 12 minutes, flipping the skewers halfway through the cooking time, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and is cooked through.
- Prepare the Garlic Parmesan sauce: While the chicken cooks, place the melted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and black pepper, allowing the garlic to infuse the butter for a minute or two without browning.
- Finishing the sauce and serving: Remove the pan from heat, then stir in the finely grated Parmesan cheese and fresh minced parsley until combined. Transfer the cooked chicken skewers to a serving plate and either drizzle or brush the garlic Parmesan sauce evenly over the hot skewers. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes before cooking to prevent burning in the air fryer.
- Ensure chicken cubes are cut to roughly the same size to promote even cooking.
- Use a meat thermometer to confirm the chicken has reached 165°F for food safety.
- You can double the sauce ingredients if you prefer extra coating on the skewers.
- Leftover skewers can be refrigerated and reheated gently to avoid drying out.
- For a lower fat option, use light mayonnaise or Greek yogurt in the marinade.
