Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers Recipe

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Air Fryer Chicken Skewers are juicy, tender, and coated in the bold sauce from my viral garlic Parmesan wings. Ready in under 30 minutes, they’re perfectly browned, full of flavor, and an easy weeknight dinner everyone will love.

golden air fryer chicken skewers with garlic parmesan dipping sauce

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Here are my top three reasons Air Fryer Chicken Skewers are a weeknight favorite:

Packed with flavor: Uses my viral garlic Parmesan chicken wing sauce.
Perfectly cooked: The air fryer browns and sears the chicken while keeping it juicy.
Quick and easy: Ready in under 30 minutes, so dinner comes together fast.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This section covers the key ingredients and tools you’ll need to make these air fried Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers.

For exact amounts, check the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Chicken Skewers:

Chicken thighs: Boneless and skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces.
Steak seasoning
Black pepper
Onion powder
Grated Parmesan: I buy fresh from the refrigerated section for the best flavor.
Avocado oil

Garlic Parmesan Sauce:

Butter: I use unsalted to control the seasoning level and melt the butter when I’m ready to make the sauce.
Grated Parmesan: this is the same as used above.
Garlic powder
Dried parsley

ingredients for air fryer chicken skewers recipe

How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Skewers

Making Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers in the air fryer is simple and quick.

Use these step-by-step photos as a guide to see how easy it is to get juicy, flavorful skewers every time.

Toss the chicken

Combine the chicken, seasonings, avocado oil, and Parmesan, then toss to coat evenly.

tossing chicken with seasonings, oil, and parmesan using tongs

Skewer and prep

Thread the chicken onto skewers (about 5–6 pieces each) and preheat the air fryer to 400°F.

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chicken threaded onto skewers and placed in the air fryer basket

Cook and sauce

Air fry the skewers in a single layer at 400°F.

I flip them halfway through to get a nice brown sear on the skewers.

When they’re almost done cooking, I make the garlic parmesan sauce. Then, brush it on the chicken skewers while the garlic Parmesan sauce and chicken are hot.

garlic parmesan sauce ingredients in a small bowl with chicken skewers brushed in sauce

Pro Tips That Save Time & Add Flavor

Here are my top tips to get the most flavor with minimal effort:

Use fresh grated Parmesan: I buy it from the refrigerated section for the best taste and melt. I don’t recommend using the grated parmesan that you can get on the shelf in the pasta aisle because it’s saltier than fresh.
Don’t overcrowd the skewers: Thread about 5–6 chicken pieces per skewer so they cook evenly.
Preheat the air fryer: This helps sear the chicken and lock in juices.
Sauce last: Mix the garlic Parmesan sauce with the chicken while it’s hot for an even, flavorful coating.

Swaps & Variations

All of my recipes are kitchen-tested and designed to fit real life. Here are easy swaps and tweaks for Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers:

Protein swaps: Use chicken breast chunks instead of thighs if you prefer leaner meat. You can get the air fryer cook time from my Marinated Chicken Kabobs
Budget-friendly tip: Buy the chicken in bulk or on sale and freeze what you won’t use immediately for future skewers.
More flavor: Make the garlic Parmesan sauce at the last step and toss with the hot chicken skewers immediately. This keeps the sauce fresh and ensures it coats the chicken evenly.

air fryer chicken skewers with 2 lemon slices served on a wooden board

What to Serve With This

If you want to turn these into a complete meal, try serving them with:

FAQs

How long do chicken skewers take in an air fryer?

Chicken skewers cook in about 10–14 minutes at 380–400°F. Flip halfway so each side gets golden, and cook until the chicken reaches 165°F internally.

Can you put wooden skewers into an air fryer?

Yes! Soak wooden skewers in water for 20–30 minutes first to prevent burning. Or, use metal skewers as I do. They don’t need soaking and conduct heat for even cooking. Plus, they’re reusable.

Can I put raw chicken in my air fryer?

Yes. Raw chicken cooks safely in an air fryer as long as it reaches 165°F internally.

Storage & Reheating

Store: Keep leftover chicken skewers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–4 days with the garlic Parmesan sauce on them.
Freeze: For best texture, remove the chicken from the skewers and freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheat: Reheat the chicken with the sauce in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–5 minutes until heated through. Use an air fryer liner or parchment paper to help with any mess and keep the edges lightly crisp.