If you are craving a dish that bursts with bold, comforting flavors and irresistible juiciness, let me introduce you to the Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers Recipe. This recipe takes simple chicken pieces and elevates them with a luscious garlic butter sauce infused with parmesan and a hint of heat, creating a symphony of savory, cheesy, and spicy notes. Perfect for a weekday dinner or an impressive appetizer for your next gathering, these skewers are packed with flavor and super easy to make, guaranteeing smiles around your table every time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers Recipe lies in its straightforward, pantry-friendly ingredients that come together to deliver a mouthwatering experience. Each ingredient plays a crucial role—from tender chicken and aromatic garlic to sharp parmesan and a touch of fiery red pepper flakes—building a dish that’s well-balanced in flavor, color, and texture.
- 2 lbs chicken tenders, thighs, or breast: Choose your favorite cut for tender, juicy skewers that soak up the sauce beautifully.
- 2 tbsp olive oil: Helps to coat the chicken evenly and enhances moisture during cooking.
- 1 stick butter: Forms the rich and silky base for the garlic parmesan sauce.
- 8-10 cloves garlic, minced: Brings irresistible pungency and depth to the sauce.
- 1/2 cup parmesan, grated: Adds nutty, salty flavor and creamy texture to the butter sauce.
- 1 tbsp hot sauce (more if desired): Injects a subtle heat that balances the richness of the garlic butter.
- 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes: Gives a vibrant kick that elevates every bite.
- 1/3 cup fresh parsley, minced: Provides freshness and a pop of color to the dish.
- 2 teaspoons paprika: Offers a smoky undertone and beautiful color.
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder: Intensifies the garlic profile on the chicken itself.
- 1 teaspoon onion powder: Lends subtle sweetness and complexity to the seasoning.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Enhances all the flavors perfectly.
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper: Adds mild heat and contrast to the seasoning blend.
How to Make Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Skewer Chicken
Start with soaking your wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes—this simple step prevents burning during cooking. Meanwhile, cut your chicken into roughly 3-inch pieces for even cooking. Combine all the spices in a small bowl for a perfectly balanced seasoning mix. Toss the chicken in olive oil and the spicy seasoning blend until each piece is fully coated. Then, pack the chicken pieces tightly onto the skewers with no gaps, ensuring every bite stays juicy and tender. If your skewers are too long, snip a few inches off to fit inside your air fryer or grill.
Step 2: Make the Garlic Parmesan Butter Sauce
Create the star of the dish by melting butter and minced garlic together until aromatic and slightly melted. Into this, whisk red pepper flakes, hot sauce, fresh parsley, and parmesan cheese for a luscious sauce that perfectly marries heat, herbaceous brightness, and cheesy richness. If you notice the sauce separating, simply add a small dollop of soft butter and stir until smooth and creamy again.
Step 3: Par-Cook and Basque the Chicken
Cook the skewered chicken in batches (2-3 at a time) in your air fryer at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Begin with 5 minutes on one side, then flip, baste generously with about a third of the garlic parmesan sauce, and cook for an additional 2 minutes. This layering of flavors ensures every nook gets coated and absorbed.
Step 4: Finish Cooking and Baste
Flip the skewers back again, baste with more sauce, and continue cooking for 5 to 6 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees and the chicken is fully cooked through. This final basting seals in all the flavor, giving the skewers an irresistible glossy finish. Once cooked, give the skewers one last brush with the reserved reserved (clean) garlic sauce and sprinkle some extra parmesan on top for a gorgeous finish.
How to Serve Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers Recipe
Garnishes
Freshly minced parsley sprinkled on top adds a burst of vibrant green that contrasts wonderfully with the cheesy, golden exterior of the chicken. You can also add a light dusting of extra grated parmesan for that final savory hit right before serving—it’s simple but makes an impression every time.
Side Dishes
This Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers Recipe pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad or charred grilled veggies for lightness. For a heartier meal, creamy mashed potatoes or a buttery rice pilaf soak up the leftover garlic parmesan sauce perfectly, creating a satisfying balance of flavors and textures.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve these skewers laid out on a rustic wooden board surrounded by lemon wedges and small bowls of extra garlic parmesan sauce for dipping. They also make an excellent centerpiece on a buffet or party table—easy to grab and packed with flavor, they’re sure to be the star of any gathering.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, place any leftover skewers in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the extra garlic parmesan sauce separate if possible to retain its freshness and texture for reheating.
Freezing
If you want to save them for longer, remove the chicken from the skewers and freeze in single layers on a baking sheet before transferring to freezer bags. This prevents clumping and makes it easy to grab just what you need. Frozen chicken pieces will keep for up to 2 months.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently in an air fryer or oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until warmed through, brushing with a little sauce to keep the chicken moist. Avoid microwaving if possible, as it can dry out the garlic parmesan sauce and chicken texture.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breasts instead of tenders or thighs?
Absolutely! Chicken breasts work well, but we recommend cutting them into smaller, evenly sized pieces to prevent drying out when cooking. Thighs and tenders are naturally juicier, but breasts will still taste fantastic with this recipe.
What if I don’t have an air fryer? Can I grill or bake these?
You can definitely grill these skewers over medium heat, turning frequently and basting with sauce. Alternatively, baking in a preheated oven at 425°F on a wire rack for about 15-20 minutes works great—just make sure to baste halfway through.
How spicy is this Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers Recipe?
It has a moderate level of heat thanks to the red pepper flakes and hot sauce, which balance beautifully against the creamy garlic butter. Feel free to adjust the hot sauce quantity to your liking for milder or spicier results.
Can I make the sauce dairy-free?
While parmesan cheese is a key flavor booster, you could substitute with nutritional yeast and use dairy-free butter alternatives to make it dairy-free. The flavor won’t be identical, but it will still be delicious with the garlic and spice.
Are these skewers suitable for meal prep?
Definitely! The Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers Recipe is perfect for meal prep since they reheat beautifully and maintain their flavor. Just store sauce and chicken separately until ready to eat for the freshest taste.
Final Thoughts
I cannot recommend enough giving the Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers Recipe a try. It’s one of those dishes that feels special yet comes together with ease and everyday ingredients. Juicy, flavorful, and perfectly balanced between spicy, cheesy, and garlicky goodness, these skewers bring joy and warmth to the table. Once you’ve tried them, they’ll quickly become a new favorite to share with friends and family whenever you want a fuss-free, crowd-pleasing meal.
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Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers Recipe
- Total Time: 29 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
These Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers are a flavorful and juicy appetizer or main dish, featuring tender chicken pieces marinated in a blend of spices and coated in a rich garlic parmesan butter sauce. Cooked quickly in an air fryer, they deliver a crispy exterior and succulent interior in under 15 minutes, perfect for a quick and delicious meal or party snack.
Ingredients
Chicken and Seasoning
- 2 lbs chicken tenders, thighs, or breast, cut into 3” pieces
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
- 1 tbsp hot sauce (more if desired)
- 1/3 cup fresh parsley, minced
- 8–10 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup parmesan, grated
- 1 stick butter (approx. 8 tbsp)
Instructions
- Prep and Skewer Chicken: Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning. Cut chicken into 3-inch pieces and place in a large bowl or ziptop bag.
- Season Chicken: In a small bowl, mix paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and olive oil. Toss chicken pieces in this seasoning mixture until well coated.
- Thread Chicken on Skewers: Pack chicken tightly on each skewer with no gaps to maintain juiciness. Trim skewers if needed to fit in the air fryer.
- Make Garlic Parmesan Butter Sauce: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt butter with minced garlic until partially melted. Stir in red pepper flakes, hot sauce, parsley, and grated parmesan until well combined. If sauce separates, add 1-2 tablespoons softened butter and whisk to re-emulsify.
- Baste Chicken with Sauce: Reserve one-third of the sauce for basting the par-cooked chicken. Use the remaining sauce for basting fully cooked chicken, ensuring to wash your basting brush between uses to avoid cross-contamination.
- Cook Chicken Skewers: Place 2-3 skewers in the air fryer at 400°F. Cook for 5 minutes, then flip and baste with reserved sauce. Cook an additional 2 minutes.
- Finish Cooking: Flip skewers again, baste with more sauce, and cook another 5-6 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Total cook time should be about 12-14 minutes but may vary with air fryer models.
- Serve: After cooking, give the skewers a final brush with the clean reserved garlic parmesan sauce, sprinkle with extra parmesan, and serve immediately.
Notes
- Soaking wooden skewers prevents them from burning in the air fryer.
- Cutting chicken into uniform 3-inch pieces ensures even cooking.
- Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness; chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Adjust hot sauce quantity to your preferred spice level.
- Clean the basting brush between uses to avoid cross-contamination of raw and cooked chicken sauce.
- If an air fryer is not available, these skewers can be cooked on a grill or baked in the oven at 400°F for about 15-20 minutes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (includes soaking skewers and prepping chicken)
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
