Easy Air Fryer Chicken Kabobs

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These Air Fryer Chicken Kabobs are juicy, flavorful, and lightly browned around the edges. They’re an easy way to enjoy chicken kabobs indoors without firing up the grill.

marinated chicken kabobs with a dipping sauce on a serving plate

Make these marinated chicken skewers for dinner with garlic butter rice and sautéed spinach. Or, if you want the same marinated chicken and vegetables cooked on a grill pan, use my Indoor Grill Chicken Kabobs.

Why Make Chicken Kabobs in the Air Fryer

Easy indoor option: Make juicy chicken kabobs without an outdoor grill or grill pan.
Chicken and vegetables cook together: Everything cooks right on the skewers for an easy main dish.
Great for prepping ahead: Marinate the chicken earlier in the day or overnight, then assemble the kabobs when you’re ready to cook.
Easy to customize: Change the vegetables or use one of my dry rubs when you don’t have time to marinate.

lemon juice, olive oil, red onion, garlic, black pepper, Italian seasoning, sea salt, red bell pepper and chicken breasts in separate bowls

Ingredients Needed

Chicken breasts: Cut them into roughly 1-inch pieces so they cook evenly. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs also work if you prefer dark meat.
Olive oil or avocado oil: Either works well as the base of the marinade and helps the chicken brown.
Lemon juice: Adds brightness and acidity to the marinade. I prefer fresh lemon juice.
Garlic: Fresh minced garlic gives the marinade the most flavor.
Italian seasoning: An easy way to add a mix of herbs without measuring several individual seasonings.
Sea salt and black pepper: Season the chicken throughout the marinade.
Red bell pepper: Cut it into pieces close in size to the chicken. You can use another color bell pepper if that’s what you have.
Red onion: It holds up well in the air fryer and adds a little sweetness as it cooks.

How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Kabobs

Marinate the chicken

Pat the chicken dry and cut it into evenly sized pieces. Mix it with the marinade until every piece is coated, then cover and refrigerate. Giving the chicken a few hours in the marinade adds more flavor throughout each bite.

whisk salt, herbs, garlic, pepper, oil, and lemon juice together, then add the chicken and toss until evenly coated.

Assemble the kabobs

Alternate the chicken, bell pepper, and red onion on the skewers. Leave a little room between the pieces instead of packing them tightly together so hot air can circulate around them.

thread chicken and vegetables onto skewers, then place the skewers in the air fryer.

Arrange them in the air fryer

Preheat your air fryer, then arrange the kabobs in a single layer. Make sure your skewers fit comfortably inside the basket and cook in batches if needed.

Air fry until juicy and lightly browned

Cook the kabobs until the chicken has lightly browned edges and the vegetables are tender. Check one of the thickest pieces of chicken for doneness before removing the skewers.

Tips for the Best Air Fryer Chicken Kabobs

Cut the chicken evenly: Aim for roughly 1-inch pieces so they finish cooking at about the same time.
Give the marinade time: I recommend at least 4 hours, but you can also marinate the chicken overnight.
Leave some space: Avoid packing the chicken and vegetables tightly together on the skewers. A little room helps the hot air reach more of the food.
Check your skewer size first: Make sure the skewers fit inside your air fryer basket before assembling the kabobs.
Keep them in one layer: Cook in batches instead of stacking or overlapping the skewers.

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Marinating Chicken for Kabobs

This simple chicken kabob marinade adds plenty of lemon, garlic, and herb flavor to the chicken. Since the chicken is cut into small pieces first, the marinade coats each piece before it goes onto the skewers.

Marinate the chicken for at least 4 hours or prep it the night before. I use this same lemon-garlic herb marinade for my Marinated Chicken Wings, Marinated Chicken Legs, and Indoor Grill Chicken Kabobs. The chicken cut and cooking method change, but the simple marinade works across all four recipes.

Short on time?

Skip the marinade and season the chicken with about 2 tablespoons of Cajun seasoning, chicken rub, or BBQ seasoning per pound. Toss with a little oil before assembling the kabobs. No extra salt is needed.

tender marinated chicken kabobs served on a plate

Variations

You can swap the chicken breast for boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Cut them into similar-sized pieces so they cook evenly with the vegetables.

For a completely different flavor, try my Air Fryer Chicken Skewers. They’re made with chicken thighs, no vegetables, and a garlic Parmesan sauce.

You can also change up the vegetables with zucchini or mushrooms. Keep the pieces close in size so everything cooks evenly.

For a smoky-sweet variation, my Bacon-Wrapped Cola BBQ Chicken Kabobs add bacon and BBQ sauce.

What to Serve With Air Fryer Chicken Kabobs

Serve these kabobs with garlic butter rice and sautéed spinach for an easy weeknight dinner.

For something cool and fresh on the side, try cucumber onion salad. Cilantro lime rice is another good option when you want a brighter rice side.

Storage & Reheating

Refrigerate: Store leftover chicken and vegetables in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days.
Reheat: Warm leftovers just until heated through so the chicken doesn’t dry out.
Make ahead: Marinate the chicken the day before, then assemble and cook the kabobs when you’re ready to eat.

FAQs

Can you put skewers in an air fryer?

Yes. I use short 6-inch metal skewers that fit comfortably inside the air fryer basket. Whatever type you use, make sure they fit without touching the heating element.

How do you keep chicken kabobs from drying out?

Cut the chicken into evenly sized pieces, avoid overcrowding the skewers, and stop cooking once the chicken is done. Marinating the chicken beforehand also adds flavor and helps keep the chicken juicy.

Can I use chicken thighs?

Yes. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work well. Cut them into pieces similar in size to the chicken breast pieces so they cook evenly.

Can I prepare chicken kabobs ahead of time?

Yes. Marinate the chicken up to the night before and keep it refrigerated. Assemble the skewers when you’re ready to air fry them.

For more easy ways to cook chicken breast, browse my Chicken Breast Recipes.