Air-Fryer Chicken Skewers: Quick, Easy, And Delicious

Chicken skewers are a quick and easy meal to make in an air fryer, and only take around 15 minutes to cook. They are a great option for a weeknight when you need to get a tasty dinner on the table fast. The key to getting juicy chicken skewers is to marinate the chicken pieces for at least 15 minutes, or ideally a few hours, before cooking. You can also add vegetables to the skewers, such as bell peppers, onions, and zucchini, to create a complete meal.

Choosing the right chicken

Type of Chicken

Opt for boneless and skinless chicken pieces, such as chicken breasts or chicken thighs. Boneless and skinless chicken cooks more evenly and results in a tender and juicy texture. Cutting the chicken into uniform-sized pieces is crucial to ensure even cooking. You can cut the chicken into thin, flat pieces, but avoid making them bite-sized. This increases the surface area for the seasonings to adhere and promotes even cooking.

Quality

Always choose the best quality chicken you can access. Look for fresh, high-quality chicken with a good amount of fat (around 15-20%) to ensure juicy results. If you're using pre-packaged chicken, check the expiration date and inspect the packaging for any tears or damage.

Marinade

Marinating the chicken adds flavour and moisture. You can use a variety of ingredients for the marinade, such as olive oil, avocado oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and other spices of your choice. For optimal flavour, marinate the chicken for at least 15 minutes, or even overnight if you have the time. This allows the chicken to absorb the flavours and results in more tender meat.

Brining (Optional)

Brining is a technique where you soak the chicken in a saltwater solution or sprinkle it with salt and let it rest before cooking. This process improves the texture and flavour of the meat. It helps the chicken retain moisture, resulting in juicier skewers. If you decide to brine, allow for at least 30 minutes of brining time.

Freshness

Whenever possible, opt for fresh chicken over frozen. If you must use frozen chicken, thaw it before coating with spices and cooking in the air fryer. Starting with fresh chicken will give you better control over the cooking process and help you achieve the desired texture and flavour.

Remember to handle chicken safely by keeping it refrigerated until you're ready to cook, practising good hygiene, and ensuring the chicken is thoroughly cooked before serving.

Marinating the chicken

Choosing the Right Chicken

Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts for your skewers. Thighs tend to be juicier and more flavourful, but breasts are also a good option if you prefer white meat. Cut the chicken into uniformly-sized pieces, about 1-inch chunks, to ensure even cooking.

Preparing the Marinade

You can use a variety of ingredients to create a delicious marinade for your chicken. Here are some common options:

• Olive oil or avocado oil
• Lemon juice
• Soy sauce or tamari
• Honey or maple syrup
• Garlic (freshly minced or powder)
• Spices (onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, black pepper, etc.)
• Fresh or dried herbs (oregano, basil, parsley, rosemary)

Mix your chosen ingredients in a bowl, creating a blend of flavours that appeal to you. You can also add a bit of heat with Sriracha, red pepper flakes, or chili powder.

Place the chicken pieces in a large container or resealable bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring that all pieces are well-coated. You can use your hands or a spoon to mix everything together.

For best results, marinate the chicken in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes or up to 4 hours. If you have more time, you can even leave it overnight. However, avoid marinating for too long, as it can cause the chicken to break down and become mushy.

Final Steps

Once the chicken has finished marinating, remove it from the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature for about 20-30 minutes. This step helps the chicken cook more evenly.

If you are using wooden skewers, remember to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before threading the chicken to prevent them from burning in the air fryer. Then, thread the chicken pieces onto the skewers, leaving a little space between each piece for proper air circulation.

Preparing the skewers

Choosing the Right Skewers:

Firstly, decide whether you want to use wooden or metal skewers. Both options are suitable for air frying, 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, which can affect cooking times.

Preparing the Chicken:

For juicy and tender skewers, it's best to use boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts. Cut the chicken into uniform, bite-sized pieces, around 1-2 inches in size. This ensures even cooking and makes it easier to thread the pieces onto the skewers. Place the chicken pieces in a bowl and add your choice of marinade. You can use a simple combination of olive oil or avocado oil with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika, or get creative with additional spices and ingredients like lemon juice, yogurt, or honey. Mix well to ensure all the chicken pieces are coated, then let the chicken marinate. For maximum flavour, it's best to marinate for a few hours or even overnight, but if you're short on time, a minimum of 15-20 minutes will do.

Assembling the Skewers:

Now it's time to thread the chicken onto the skewers. If you're using wooden skewers, remember to soak them in water for at least 10- 30 minutes before threading the chicken to prevent burning. Leave a little space between each piece of chicken to allow for proper airflow during cooking. You can also add vegetables to your skewers, such as bell peppers, onions, zucchini, or mushrooms. Alternate between chicken and veggies for a colourful and tasty combination.

Final Preparations:

Before placing the skewers in the air fryer, lightly brush them with oil or cooking spray. This helps promote browning and prevents sticking. Ensure your air fryer basket is large enough to accommodate the skewers in a single layer without overcrowding, as this can hinder airflow and result in uneven cooking. If your skewers are too long, you may need to trim them to fit your air fryer.

Cooking the skewers

Now that you have gathered your ingredients and prepared your chicken and skewers, it's time to cook your chicken skewers in the air fryer. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you achieve the best results:

• Preheat your air fryer: If your air fryer requires preheating, set it to the recommended temperature, typically around 350-400°F (180-200°C). This step ensures that your chicken starts cooking immediately and promotes even cooking.
• Prepare your skewers: If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 10-30 minutes before adding the chicken. This step prevents the skewers from burning in the air fryer. If using metal skewers, there is no need to soak them beforehand.
• Assemble the skewers: Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto the skewers, leaving a small gap between each piece. You can also alternate chicken pieces with vegetables like bell peppers, onions, or zucchini for added flavour and colour. Ensure the chicken pieces are snug but not crowded on the skewers.
• Place the skewers in the air fryer: Arrange the skewers in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding to ensure proper airflow and even cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the skewers in batches.
• Cook the skewers: Place the air fryer basket into the preheated air fryer and cook the skewers for about 7-15 minutes. The exact cooking time will depend on your air fryer and the size of your chicken pieces. Flip the skewers halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning on all sides. Use tongs or oven mitts when handling metal skewers, as they will get very hot.
• Check for doneness: To ensure your chicken is cooked through, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken. It should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Alternatively, you can cut into one of the larger pieces to ensure it is no longer pink and the juices run clear.
• Serve immediately: Once your chicken skewers are cooked, remove them from the air fryer and serve them immediately. Pair them with your favourite sides, such as roasted vegetables, rice, or a fresh salad.

By following these steps, you will be able to cook juicy and flavourful chicken skewers in your air fryer. Remember to monitor the cooking process and adjust the timing as needed to avoid overcooking or undercooking your chicken. Enjoy your delicious and perfectly cooked chicken skewers!

Sauces and serving suggestions

Chicken skewers are a versatile dish that can be served in many ways and paired with various sauces and sides. Here are some ideas for sauces and serving suggestions to elevate your air fryer chicken skewers:

Sauces

• Garlic herb butter: Brush the cooked chicken skewers with a generous amount of garlic herb butter for a mouthwatering, flavourful experience. The butter can be made by cooking butter with minced garlic, honey, and freshly chopped parsley.
• Butter sauce: Combine butter, honey, garlic, chilli garlic sauce, parmesan, and basil in a small bowl. Brush this sauce on the chicken skewers for a delicious, savoury coating.
• Marinade: The marinade used for the chicken can also be used as a sauce. Simply combine soy sauce, garlic, ginger, chilli powder, and honey, and brush it onto the cooked chicken skewers for an extra punch of flavour.

Serving Suggestions

• Rice: Serve the chicken skewers over a bed of rice, such as jasmine rice or wild rice pilaf.
• Vegetables: Pair the skewers with roasted or grilled vegetables, such as bell peppers, red onions, zucchini, asparagus, or a green salad. You can also create vegetable skewers with the same vegetables and grill them alongside the chicken.
• Salads: Complement the skewers with a corn, tomato, and avocado salad, or a classic potato salad.
• Starches: Enjoy the chicken skewers with sides like roasted sweet potatoes, pasta salad, or garlic butter rice.

Frequently asked questions