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Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers: A Flavor-Packed Recipe for Any Occasion

Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers

Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers are a crowd-pleasing dish that combines juicy, tender chicken with a rich, flavorful garlic parmesan butter sauce. Perfect as an appetizer or a main course, these skewers can be prepared in an air fryer, oven, or on the grill. The recipe is simple, quick, and packed with bold flavors that will leave everyone asking for seconds. Serve them over rice, with veggies, or enjoy them on their own!

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken:

  • 2 lbs chicken tenders, thighs, or breast
  • 2 tbsp olive oil

For the Garlic Parmesan Butter Sauce:

  • 1 stick butter
  • 810 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup parmesan, grated
  • 1 tbsp hot sauce (more if desired)
  • 2 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1/3 cup fresh parsley, minced

For the Chicken Seasonings:

  • 2 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper

Instructions

Prep and Skewer Chicken:

  1. Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes.
  2. In a small bowl, combine the chicken seasonings (paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper). Set aside.
  3. Cut the chicken into 3-inch pieces and place them in a large bowl or ziptop bag. Add olive oil and the seasoning mixture, tossing to coat the chicken evenly.
  4. Thread the chicken onto the skewers, packing them tightly to ensure juiciness. Trim the skewers if needed to fit your air fryer.

Make the Garlic Parmesan Butter Sauce:

  1. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter partially. Add minced garlic, red pepper flakes, hot sauce, parsley, and parmesan. Whisk until combined.
  2. Set aside 1/3 of the sauce for basting the cooked chicken (to avoid cross-contamination). Use the remaining sauce for basting during cooking.

Cook the Chicken:

  1. Air Fryer Method:
    • Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
    • Cook 2-3 skewers at a time for 5 minutes. Flip, baste with sauce, and cook for another 2 minutes.
    • Flip again, baste, and cook for 5-6 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
    • Baste with the reserved sauce and sprinkle with extra parmesan before serving.
  2. Oven Method:
    • Preheat the oven to 450°F.
    • Place skewers on a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake for 14 minutes, flipping halfway and basting with sauce.
    • Broil for 2 minutes to brown the tops. Baste one last time and sprinkle with parmesan.
  3. Grill Method:
    • Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
    • Grill skewers for 5-6 minutes per side, basting with sauce throughout.
    • Remove from the grill, baste one last time, and sprinkle with parmesan.

Serving Suggestions:

  • Serve over a bed of rice or quinoa.
  • Pair with roasted vegetables or a fresh salad.
  • Drizzle any leftover garlic parmesan butter sauce over the dish for extra flavor.

Notes

  1. Soak Wooden Skewers: Always soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent them from burning during cooking.
  2. Even Cooking: Cut the chicken into uniform 3-inch pieces to ensure even cooking.
  3. Basting: Baste the chicken multiple times during cooking to keep it moist and flavorful.
  4. Air Fryer Variations: Cooking times may vary depending on your air fryer model, so check the internal temperature of the chicken (165°F) to ensure it’s fully cooked.
  5. Sauce Separation: If the butter sauce separates, add 1-2 tablespoons of softened butter and whisk to re-emulsify.

Nutrition