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

Chicken skewers are a delicious and easy meal to make in your air fryer. They're perfect for a quick weeknight dinner and can be customised with your choice of spices and ingredients. The key to getting juicy, tender chicken skewers is to marinate the meat for at least 15 minutes, or a few hours if you have the time. You can also add vegetables to your skewers, such as bell peppers, onions, and zucchini, for a wholesome and healthy meal. So, if you're looking for a new way to cook chicken, why not give air fryer chicken skewers a try? They're sure to be a hit with your family or friends!

How to Make Chicken Skewers in an Air Fryer

Choosing the right chicken

Type of Chicken

It is recommended to use boneless and skinless chicken for air fryer skewers. Both chicken breasts and thighs can be used, depending on your preference. Boneless and skinless chicken thighs will give you a lean and tender result. Chicken breasts are also a good option and ensure uniform-sized chunks for even cooking.

Chicken Quality

Always opt for the best quality chicken you can access. Look for chicken with a fresh, moist appearance and avoid packages with excessive liquid. The chicken should have a neutral odour and a pinkish colour; brighter colours indicate added preservatives. If buying packaged chicken, ensure the expiration date is well before the date you intend to cook.

Chicken Preparation

Before preparing the skewers, cut the chicken into uniform-sized pieces or chunks. This will ensure even cooking and prevent under or overcooked pieces. If you are marinating the chicken, cut the chicken into pieces first, then coat with your chosen marinade. Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 15 minutes, but preferably a few hours or overnight for maximum flavour infusion.

Skewer Type

You can use either wooden or metal skewers for your chicken skewers. Wooden skewers need to be soaked in water for at least 30 minutes before adding the chicken to prevent them from burning. Metal skewers are reusable and do not require soaking, but they retain heat, so be mindful of this to avoid overcooking the chicken. Ensure your chosen

Marinating the chicken

Firstly, gather your ingredients. You can use a variety of spices and seasonings to create a flavourful marinade. Some common options include garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, herb de Provence, ginger, chilli powder, honey, maple syrup, and soy sauce or low-sodium tamari. Fresh or dried herbs like parsley can also be added for extra flavour. You will also need a base for your marinade, such as avocado oil, olive oil, or vegetable oil.

Next, prepare the chicken by cutting it into uniform-sized pieces. This step is important to ensure even cooking. Use boneless and skinless chicken thighs or breasts for the best results. Place the chicken pieces into a large mixing bowl and drizzle with your chosen oil.

Now, it's time to make the marinade. In a separate bowl, combine your chosen spices, seasonings, and herbs with the oil. Mix everything together to form a well-combined marinade. You can adjust the amounts of each ingredient to suit your taste preferences. Once your marinade is ready, pour it over the chicken in the other bowl and toss or stir until all the chicken pieces are evenly coated.

Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 15 to 20 minutes. However, for the best results and more intense flavour, it is recommended to let the chicken marinate for a few hours or even overnight. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or cling film during the marination process.

While the chicken is marinating, prepare your wooden skewers (if using) by soaking them in water for at least 30 minutes. This step is important to prevent the skewers from burning during cooking. If you are using metal skewers, you can skip this step.

Once the chicken has finished marinating, you can start assembling your skewers. Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto the skewers, leaving a little space between each piece for proper air circulation. You can also add vegetables to your skewers, such as bell peppers, onions, zucchini, or mushrooms, for extra flavour and colour. Alternate the chicken and vegetables for a balanced skewer.

Now your chicken skewers are ready to be cooked in the air fryer! Preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature, usually around 400°F (200°C), and arrange the skewers in a single layer, ensuring they don't overcrowd the basket. Follow the cooking instructions provided by your chosen air fryer recipe, and enjoy your delicious, juicy chicken skewers!

Preparing the skewers

Firstly, decide on your ingredients. You will need chicken, of course, and you can opt for chicken thighs or chicken breasts. Ensure you choose boneless, skinless chicken for the best results. Cut the chicken into uniform-sized pieces, around 1-inch or 2-inch chunks, as this will help with even cooking. You can also add vegetables to your skewers if desired; bell peppers, zucchini, onion, and mushrooms all work well. Cut your chosen veggies into similar-sized pieces as the chicken.

Next, prepare your marinade. This can be as simple or as complex as you like, but a typical blend may include garlic, soy sauce or tamari, ginger, honey or maple syrup, and spices such as paprika, cayenne, or chili powder. Place your chicken pieces into a bowl and coat them with your chosen marinade. Leave the chicken to marinate for at least 15 minutes, but preferably longer if you can. The longer it sits, the more flavourful your chicken will be. If you have the time, leave it to marinate for a few hours or even overnight.

Now it's time to assemble the skewers. If you are using wooden skewers, it is important to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before adding the chicken. This will prevent them from burning in the air fryer. Thread the chicken and vegetables onto the skewers, alternating between the two. Leave a little space between each piece to allow for proper airflow during cooking.

Finally, lightly brush or spray the assembled skewers with oil. This will help promote browning and prevent the chicken from sticking to the air fryer basket.

Cooking the skewers

Now that you've prepared your chicken and skewers, it's time to cook your chicken skewers in the air fryer. Here's a step-by-step guide to ensure perfect results:

• Preheat your air fryer: If your air fryer requires preheating, set it to 350–400°F. This step ensures the chicken starts cooking immediately and helps with even cooking.
• Prepare your skewers: If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 10 minutes to prevent burning. Metal skewers do not need to be soaked.
• Assemble the skewers: Thread the chicken pieces onto the skewers, leaving a small gap between each piece. Alternate with veggies if desired.
• Arrange the skewers in the air fryer: Place the skewers in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd the basket, as this can hinder airflow and result in uneven cooking. You may need to cook the skewers in batches.
• Cook the skewers: Place the skewers in the air fryer and cook for 7–10 minutes. Then, flip the skewers and cook for an additional 6–10 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F when checked with a meat thermometer.
• Optional: Add a smokey flavour: For an extra touch, you can add a smokey flavour to your chicken skewers. After cooking, turn off the air fryer and leave it open. Add a piece of coal to an open flame and cook until it turns white all over. Transfer the coal to a foil bowl, add it to the air fryer, and drizzle with oil to create smoke. Seal the air fryer shut for about 10 minutes to infuse the smokey flavour into the skewers.
• Brush with sauce: While the chicken is cooking, you can prepare a sauce to brush onto the skewers after they're cooked. A simple combination of butter, garlic, and parsley is a great option. Alternatively, you can brush the skewers with fresh marinade.
• Serve and enjoy: Once the chicken is cooked through, remove the skewers from the air fryer and serve them warm. Pair them with sides such as roasted vegetables, salad, or rice for a complete meal.

Serving suggestions

These chicken skewers can be served as a main course or appetiser, depending on your preference. They go well with a variety of side dishes, such as:

• Roasted root vegetables
• Oven-roasted asparagus
• Corn, tomato, and avocado salad
• Cauliflower rice
• Roasted sweet potatoes
• Classic potato salad
• Green salad
• Rice
• Pasta salad

If you want to add more flavour to the chicken, you can brush the skewers with a sauce of your choice after cooking. For example, a garlic herb butter or a butter, garlic, and parmesan sauce.

You can also add vegetables to the skewers, such as bell peppers, red onion, zucchini, broccoli, tomatoes, yellow squash, mushrooms, or lemon slices. However, it is recommended to cook vegetables and meat separately, as cooking times vary.

Frequently asked questions