Air Fryer Chicken Kabobs: Quick, Easy, And Delicious

Chicken kabobs are a delicious and healthy meal that can be made in an air fryer in just a few simple steps. The chicken is typically marinated and skewered with vegetables, then cooked in the air fryer for around 10-15 minutes. The result is juicy, tender, and full of flavor. This cooking method is perfect for a summer BBQ or a quick and easy dinner, and the recipe can be adapted to include your favorite vegetables and seasonings.

Chicken kabob marinade ingredients and preparation

Chicken kabobs are a tasty treat and can be made with a variety of marinades and ingredients. Here is a guide to help you prepare and marinade your chicken and vegetables for cooking in an air fryer.

Firstly, cut your chicken into bite-sized pieces. Chicken breasts are commonly used, but chicken thighs are also a good option as they have a higher fat content, which helps the meat retain its juiciness. Thighs are also less likely to dry out during cooking. If you do opt for chicken breasts, you can use skinless and boneless breasts, but be aware that an acidic marinade may make the meat leathery.

Next, prepare your marinade. A simple Italian marinade can be made with olive oil, red wine vinegar, fresh garlic, and dried herbs. Other marinade options include a combination of olive oil, soy sauce, honey, lemon juice, garlic, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Alternatively, you could try a marinade of yogurt, olive oil, lemon, garlic, and spices such as paprika, cumin, cinnamon, and red pepper flakes. If you want to add a touch of sweetness to your marinade, you can include some brown sugar or honey.

Once you have prepared your marinade, place the chicken pieces into it and ensure that all the meat is coated. Cover and chill the marinated chicken for at least 30 minutes and up to 24 hours. The longer you leave the chicken to marinate, the more flavourful it will be, but do not leave chicken in a lemon juice-based marinade for more than four to five hours, as it may start to "cook" the meat.

While the chicken is marinating, prepare your vegetables. Good options include zucchini, bell peppers, and red onions. Cut the vegetables into evenly sized pieces so that they cook at the same rate as the chicken. You can also add mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, or yellow (summer) squash to your kabobs. Once your vegetables are prepared, drizzle them with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

After the chicken has finished marinating, thread the pieces onto skewers, alternating with the vegetables. If you are using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 20 minutes and up to 30 minutes beforehand to prevent them from burning. Leave a little space between each piece of chicken to allow them to cook evenly.

Chicken and vegetable preparation and skewering

For the chicken preparation, you can use either chicken thighs or chicken breasts. Chicken thighs are a popular choice because of their higher fat content, resulting in tender and juicy kebabs. However, chicken breasts are also a suitable option, especially if you prefer a leaner meat option. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces. If you have time, marinate the chicken to enhance the flavour. You can use a simple marinade with Italian ingredients such as olive oil, red wine vinegar, fresh garlic, and dried herbs. Marinate the chicken for a minimum of one hour, but preferably for 2-4 hours or even overnight for maximum flavour.

When preparing the vegetables, cut them into evenly sized pieces to ensure uniform cooking. Good options for vegetables include zucchini, bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, and tomatoes. You can also add potatoes or other vegetables of your choice. If using potatoes, consider parboiling them before skewering to ensure they cook through during the air frying process.

Once your chicken and vegetables are prepared, it's time to skewer them. You can alternate between a piece of chicken and a vegetable, or you can group similar items together on the skewer. For example, you might start and end with a piece of bell pepper. Be sure to leave some space between the pieces to allow for even cooking. Place 3-7 pieces of chicken on each skewer, depending on their size and your preference.

Air fryer settings and cooking times

The cooking time for chicken kabobs in an air fryer varies depending on the recipe and the desired level of doneness. Here is a comprehensive guide to air fryer settings and cooking times for chicken kabobs:

Air Fryer Settings:

• Preheat your air fryer: If your air fryer requires preheating, set it to the desired temperature for about 5 minutes. Preheating ensures even cooking and helps the chicken start cooking immediately.
• Temperature settings: Most recipes recommend setting the air fryer temperature between 370-400°F (190-200°C). A temperature of 380°F (193°C) is often mentioned to ensure the chicken remains juicy and doesn't overcook.
• Single layer arrangement: Place the chicken skewers in a single layer on the air fryer tray or basket. Avoid overcrowding to ensure even cooking and proper airflow.
• Lightly oil the skewers: Brushing the skewers with oil or cooking spray helps promote browning and prevents sticking to the air fryer basket.
• Flip and rotate: For even browning, flip the chicken skewers halfway through the cooking process. If your air fryer has a rotating basket, use it for more even cooking.

Cooking Times:

• Marinating time: Marinate the chicken for at least 15-30 minutes to overnight in the refrigerator. The longer the marinating time, the more flavourful the chicken will be.
• Cooking time: The cooking time varies depending on the recipe and desired doneness. The average cooking time is around 12-15 minutes at 370-380°F (190-193°C). Some recipes suggest cooking for 6-8 minutes at 400°F (200°C), flipping the skewers, and then cooking for another 6-8 minutes.
• Internal temperature: To ensure the chicken is safely cooked, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). If you don't have a thermometer, cut into a piece of chicken; it should be white and opaque in the centre with clear juices.

Using coal to infuse a BBQ flavour

To cook chicken kabobs in an air fryer, you should first prepare a marinade with Italian ingredients such as olive oil, red wine vinegar, fresh garlic, and dried herbs. Coat the chicken and vegetables in the marinade and place them in an airtight container or large ziploc bag. Leave them in the fridge for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours before cooking. You can use a variety of vegetables, including zucchini, bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms. When you're ready to cook, thread the chicken and vegetables onto skewers, leaving some space between the pieces to allow for even cooking. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes beforehand to prevent burning.

Preheat your air fryer to 370-400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place 4-6 skewers inside, spaced out evenly in a single layer. Air fry for 12-15 minutes, turning the kabobs once after 7 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit.

Now, for infusing a BBQ flavour using coal, you can try the following method:

Firstly, it is important to note that charcoal can refer to a variety of coal types, each with its own unique smoky flavour profile. Lump charcoal, derived from wood, is a popular choice for grill masters due to its versatile flavour options, such as apple, bamboo, cherry, and oak. If you're looking for a mild flavour, combine lump charcoal with bamboo and apple wood. This combination is ideal for poultry and fish dishes.

Once you've selected your charcoal, here's a step-by-step guide to infusing that BBQ flavour:

• Place a piece of charcoal over an open flame and let it burn until it turns completely white on one side.
• Flip the charcoal and repeat on the other side.
• Transfer the white-hot charcoal to a small bowl made of foil.
• Drizzle a small amount of oil onto the charcoal. This will create smoke.
• Place the foil bowl with the charcoal inside your air fryer.
• Seal the air fryer shut and let the smoke infuse the kabobs with a BBQ flavour.
• Leave the air fryer sealed for about 10 minutes.
• Remove the charcoal bowl and serve your chicken kabobs warm, infused with a delicious BBQ flavour.

This technique of using charcoal and oil is a clever way to add a smoky BBQ taste to your chicken kabobs without the need for an outdoor grill.

Stovetop grill and oven cooking methods

Chicken kabobs are a delicious and juicy meal, perfect for a summer cookout or a quick and easy dinner. While air fryers are a popular choice for cooking chicken kabobs, you can also use a stovetop grill or an oven. Here is a guide to help you cook chicken kabobs using these alternative methods.

Stovetop grill method:

Before you start, prepare your chicken kabobs by cutting chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and seasoning them with olive oil, salt, and any desired seasonings. You can also add vegetables such as zucchini, bell peppers, and onions to your kabobs. Thread the chicken and vegetable pieces onto skewers, leaving some space between each piece to ensure even cooking.

When you are ready to cook, heat a stovetop grill pan to medium-high heat. Place the chicken kabobs on the grill and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, turning them occasionally, until they are cooked through. This method is similar to grilling outdoors and will give your kabobs a nice sear.

Oven method:

Preheat your oven to 400°F. Prepare your chicken kabobs as mentioned above by cutting the chicken into pieces, seasoning, and threading them onto skewers with vegetables. Place the skewers on a baking sheet or in a cast-iron pan, leaving some space between each skewer. Bake in the oven for 20-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through. Check the internal temperature of the chicken to ensure it has reached 165°F.

Both the stovetop grill and oven methods are great alternatives to an air fryer for cooking chicken kabobs. Remember to adjust the cooking time and temperature as needed, depending on your preferred doneness and the equipment you are using. Enjoy your juicy and flavorful chicken kabobs!

Frequently asked questions