Air Fryer Chicken Skewers: Can You Make Them?

Yes, you can put chicken skewers in an air fryer! This is a quick and easy way to make a delicious and healthy meal. The air fryer cooks chicken quickly, and it comes out crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. You can use either wooden or metal skewers, but make sure they fit in your air fryer without touching the heating element. If you use wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes first to prevent them from burning.

Marinating the chicken

Choosing the Chicken

Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts for your skewers. This type of chicken is lean and will result in a tender skewer after cooking. Cut the chicken into uniform-sized pieces, about 1-inch or 2 inch pieces, to ensure even cooking.

Preparing the Marinade

You can purchase a prepared marinade or make your own. If you decide to make your own, combine ingredients such as oil, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, brown sugar, fresh herbs (such as rosemary and oregano), Dijon mustard, ground black pepper, and garlic powder. You can also experiment with different combinations of spices and ingredients to create your own unique marinade.

Place the chicken pieces in a ziplock bag or a bowl. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring that all pieces are well-coated. Marinate the chicken in the refrigerator for at least 15-20 minutes, or ideally for a few hours, to allow the flavours to infuse. You can also marinate the chicken overnight for even more flavour. Remember to turn the bag or stir the chicken occasionally to ensure even coating.

Threading the Skewers

After marinating, thread the chicken pieces onto wooden or metal skewers. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before threading to prevent them from burning in the air fryer. Leave a little space between each piece of chicken on the skewer to allow for proper air circulation during cooking.

Choosing the right skewers

Skewer Material: You can choose between wooden and metal skewers for your air fryer chicken skewers. Wooden skewers, typically made from bamboo, are inexpensive, disposable, and easy to clean up. Soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before use to prevent burning. Metal skewers, on the other hand, are reusable and require no soaking. However, they retain heat, so use tongs or oven mitts when handling them.

Skewer Length: Ensure that the skewers you choose fit comfortably inside your air fryer. If they are too long, trim them accordingly. It's important to leave some space between the skewers and the heating element to avoid any safety hazards.

Skewer Width: Opt for skewers with a width that allows for even cooking of the chicken and any vegetables you include. Avoid overcrowding the skewers, as this can lead to uneven cooking. Leave a tiny gap between the chicken pieces when threading them onto the skewers.

Skewer Type: Flat skewers are ideal as they prevent the food from spinning when rotated. Alternatively, you can use double or triple-pronged skewers, which hold the food securely in place.

By selecting the right type of skewers and ensuring they fit properly in your air fryer, you'll be well on your way to creating mouth-watering chicken skewers with that perfect balance of crispy exteriors and juicy interiors!

Preparing the skewers

Choosing the Right Skewers:

Firstly, decide whether you want to use wooden or metal skewers. Both types get the job done, but they have some differences. Wooden skewers, typically made from bamboo, are inexpensive and disposable, but they need to be soaked in water before use to prevent burning. Metal skewers, on the other hand, are reusable and don't require soaking, but they retain heat more and can be trickier to handle due to getting very hot. Ensure that your chosen skewers fit inside your air fryer with enough space for airflow. You may need to trim them to size.

Preparing the Chicken:

For juicy and tender results, use boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts. Cut the chicken into evenly sized pieces, around 1-2 inches in size, to ensure uniform cooking. Place the chicken pieces into a mixing bowl and coat them with your chosen marinade or seasoning. You can use a simple blend of oil, salt, and pepper, or get creative with spices like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne, and more. Marinate the chicken for at least 15 minutes, but preferably a few hours or even overnight for maximum flavour infusion.

Assembling the Skewers:

Now it's time to thread the chicken onto the skewers. Leave a little space between each piece of chicken to allow for even cooking. If desired, you can alternate chicken pieces with vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, onions, or mushrooms. Just ensure any veggies are cut into similar-sized pieces as the chicken to ensure they cook evenly. Don't overcrowd the skewers, and leave some space at the ends for easy handling.

Final Preparations:

Before placing the skewers in the air fryer, lightly brush them with oil or cooking spray. This will promote browning and prevent sticking. If using wooden skewers, ensure they have been soaked for at least 30 minutes before adding the chicken. Preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature, usually around 350-400°F.

Now you're ready to place the chicken skewers into the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they aren't crowded and have space to cook evenly. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the skewers in batches.

Air fryer temperature and timing

The temperature and timing for cooking chicken skewers in an air fryer will depend on the type of air fryer you have, the type of skewer you use, and how you like your chicken cooked. Most recipes recommend cooking chicken skewers in an air fryer at around 380-400°F for 10-15 minutes, depending on the number of skewers you are cooking at once.

For example, one recipe recommends cooking two skewers at 400°F for 5 minutes, then flipping and basting the skewers, and cooking for another 2 minutes. Then, flip and baste the skewers again and cook for a final 5 minutes at 400°F. This recipe also recommends checking the internal temperature of the chicken with a meat thermometer, which should read 165°F when the chicken is done.

Another recipe recommends cooking skewers in batches of 3 at 400°F for 5 minutes, then flipping and basting the skewers and cooking for another 6-8 minutes.

It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the size and model of your air fryer, so it is always a good idea to check the internal temperature of the chicken with a meat thermometer to ensure it is cooked to your desired level of doneness.

Additionally, if you are using wooden skewers, it is recommended to soak them in water for at least 10 minutes before cooking to prevent them from burning.

Sauces and seasonings

The sauces and seasonings you use for your chicken skewers can make or break the dish, so it's important to choose flavours that complement each other and enhance the taste of the chicken. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Marinades

A marinade is a great way to infuse your chicken with flavour before cooking. You can use a store-bought option or make your own using a combination of oil, acid, and seasonings. Here are some specific examples:

• Olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and dried herbs
• Olive oil, lemon juice, yogurt, paprika, and garlic
• Olive oil, lemon juice, tomato paste, ginger paste, garlic, and chilli powder
• Avocado oil, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper

Sauces

A sauce can add moisture and flavour to your chicken skewers. Here are some options to try:

• Garlic herb butter: Combine butter, minced garlic, honey, and freshly chopped parsley
• Butter, honey, garlic, chilli garlic sauce, parmesan, and basil
• Garlic parmesan butter: Combine unsalted butter, freshly grated parmesan, grated garlic, and freshly chopped parsley

Seasonings

Seasonings are a great way to add flavour to your chicken skewers. You can use a variety of spices and herbs, such as:

• Salt and black pepper
• Paprika
• Cumin
• Chilli powder
• Cayenne pepper
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Turmeric
• Coriander
• Chilli flakes

Remember, you can always adjust the seasonings to suit your taste preferences and experiment with different combinations to find your perfect flavour profile.

Frequently asked questions