Air-Fried Chicken Kababs: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Chicken kababs are a delicious and healthy meal that can be made in an air fryer with minimal preparation and clean-up. This cooking method yields juicy and tender chicken without the need for a grill or barbecue. The air fryer's small heating space also makes it a more cost-effective option than a traditional oven or grill. In this guide, we will outline the steps to make tasty chicken kababs in your air fryer, along with tips for customising the recipe to your preferences.

How to Make Chicken Kabab in an Air Fryer

Marinating the chicken

Preparing the Chicken

Before you begin marinating, cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces or 1-inch cubes. This will ensure even cooking and allow the flavors of the marinade to penetrate the chicken effectively. You can use boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs for this purpose.

Creating the Marinade

There are various marinade options you can choose from, depending on your taste preferences. Here are some common ingredients used in marinades for chicken kababs:

• Olive oil or avocado oil
• Lemon juice
• Soy sauce or low-sodium Tamari
• Greek yogurt
• Tomato paste or ketchup
• Garlic (minced or granules)
• Ginger paste or ground ginger
• Chili powder, red pepper flakes, or cayenne pepper
• Smoked paprika or sweet paprika
• Ground cumin
• Ground black pepper
• Salt
• Honey or maple syrup

Simply mix the ingredients of your choice in a bowl, adjusting the quantities to your taste. You can also add other spices and herbs, such as coriander, chili flakes, or herb de Provence, to enhance the flavor profile.

Now it's time to combine the chicken and the marinade. Place the chicken pieces in a large mixing bowl or a sealable plastic bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken and toss or shake well to ensure that all the chicken pieces are evenly coated.

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or cling film, or seal the plastic bag. Let the chicken marinate for at least 15 to 30 minutes. For more intense flavor, you can even marinate the chicken overnight in the refrigerator. The longer it sits, the more time the flavors have to infuse into the meat.

Threading the Chicken

Once the chicken has finished marinating, you can start threading the pieces onto skewers. If using wooden skewers, remember to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes beforehand to prevent them from burning during cooking. You can also use metal skewers, but be careful when handling them as they will become very hot.

Thread the chicken pieces onto the skewers, alternating with vegetables or leaving them plain, depending on your preference. Leave about 1/2 inch of space at each end of the skewer for easy handling. Repeat this process until all the chicken and vegetables are used.

Preparing the skewers

Soaking the Skewers:

First, if you are using wooden skewers, it is important to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before adding the chicken. This step is crucial to prevent the skewers from burning during the cooking process. While the skewers are soaking, you can prepare the chicken and any vegetables or other ingredients you plan to include on the skewers.

Preparing the Chicken and Ingredients:

Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces or 1-inch cubes. You can use chicken breasts or boneless skinless chicken thighs, depending on your preference. Place the chicken pieces in a bowl and add your choice of marinade. You can use a simple mixture of spices, such as salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes, or create a more complex marinade with ingredients like Greek yogurt, garlic, tomato paste, lemon juice, soy sauce, or honey. Once the marinade is mixed, combine it with the chicken and ensure that all the pieces are well-coated. You can let the chicken marinate for at least 15 minutes or even overnight for more intense flavour.

Assembling the Skewers:

Now it's time to assemble the skewers! If you are using vegetables, cut them into similar sizes as the chicken pieces to ensure even cooking. You can alternate threading the chicken and vegetables onto the skewers, or create your own pattern. Leave about 1/2 inch of space at each end of the skewer for easy handling. Repeat this process until all the chicken and vegetables have been used.

Final Preparations:

Before placing the skewers in the air fryer, check that they fit properly and that you may need to trim them. You don't want them to be too long and touch the heating element. Also, ensure your air fryer is large enough to accommodate the number of skewers you plan to cook. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the skewers in batches.

Cooking the chicken

Now that your chicken is marinated and skewered, it's time to cook! Place the skewers in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. If needed, cook the chicken in batches. You may need to trim the skewers if they are too long to fit in your air fryer.

Preheat your air fryer to 350-400°F. If your air fryer does not have a preheat setting, set it to 400°F and allow it to heat up for 5 minutes. Spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil to prevent sticking.

Cook the chicken skewers for 10 minutes, then flip them over and cook for an additional 6-10 minutes. The total cook time will be around 16-20 minutes, depending on your air fryer and the size of your chicken pieces. The chicken is done when it is no longer pink and has an internal temperature of 165°F.

If you want to add grill marks to your chicken skewers, place an air fryer rack or trivet inside the air fryer basket before cooking.

Once the chicken is cooked to the safe internal temperature, remove it from the air fryer and serve warm.

Tips for cooking chicken in an air fryer

• Cut your chicken and veggies into even sizes so they cook evenly.
• If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before adding the chicken to prevent burning.
• Do not stack the chicken skewers in the air fryer; cook them in a single layer.
• Cook the chicken skewers in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding.
• Spray the chicken with olive oil or cooking oil before cooking to keep it juicy.

Serving suggestions

There are many ways to serve chicken kababs cooked in an air fryer. Here are some suggestions:

Sides

You can serve the chicken kababs with a side of rice, potatoes, a green salad, or pasta salad. Here are some more specific ideas for side dishes:

• Instant Pot wild rice pilaf
• Corn salad with avocado, tomato, and lime
• Roasted green beans with shallot
• Lemon garlic roasted Brussels sprouts
• Instant Pot jasmine rice (with butter)
• Classic potato salad
• Roasted sweet potatoes

Presentation

You can serve the chicken as it is, or you can put it on a skewer after it's been cooked, as suggested by one source. This suggestion is particularly relevant if you want to create the impression of traditional chicken kebabs without having to handle raw chicken when preparing the dish.

Accompaniments

Chicken kababs cooked in an air fryer can be served as an appetizer or a light dinner. They can be accompanied by a dip such as tzatziki or hummus. They can also be served in a sandwich, or with pita bread.

Storage instructions

Leftover chicken kababs can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. If you wish to freeze them, it is recommended to thread the chicken and bell peppers and freeze them fresh for up to three months.

If you have marinated the chicken but not cooked it yet, you can leave it in the fridge overnight.

If you have cooked the chicken kababs and wish to reheat them, it is best to use the air fryer to retain the same texture.

Frequently asked questions