Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers (Printer-Friendly)

Tender chicken on skewers, seasoned and air fried, dressed in garlic butter parmesan sauce with a mild spicy kick.

# The Ingredients You'll Need:

→ Chicken and Seasoning

01 - 2 lbs chicken tenders, thighs, or breast, cut into 3-inch pieces
02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 2 tsp paprika
04 - 1 tsp garlic powder
05 - 1 tsp onion powder
06 - 0.5 tsp salt
07 - 0.5 tsp black pepper
08 - 2 tsp red pepper flakes

→ Garlic Parmesan Butter Sauce

09 - 1 stick (8 tbsp) unsalted butter
10 - 8–10 cloves garlic, minced
11 - 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
12 - 1 tbsp hot sauce, adjust to taste
13 - 0.33 cup fresh parsley, minced

# Step-by-Step Instructions:

01 - Immerse wooden skewers in water for a minimum of 30 minutes to prevent burning during cooking.
02 - Combine paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and olive oil in a bowl. Toss chicken pieces thoroughly in the mixture to coat evenly.
03 - Thread chicken pieces tightly onto soaked skewers, avoiding gaps to maintain juiciness. Trim skewer length if needed to fit the air fryer basket.
04 - Partially melt butter with minced garlic in a microwave-safe bowl. Stir in red pepper flakes, hot sauce, minced parsley, and grated Parmesan until smooth. If sauce separates, add 1-2 tbsp softened butter and whisk to re-emulsify.
05 - Reserve two-thirds of the prepared sauce. Use the remaining one-third to baste chicken skewers before cooking.
06 - Place 2-3 skewers in the air fryer at 400°F. Cook for 5 minutes, flip skewers, and baste with sauce. Cook for an additional 2 minutes.
07 - Flip skewers again, baste with sauce once more, and cook for 5-6 minutes until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Total cooking time should be approximately 12-14 minutes depending on air fryer specs.
08 - Brush cooked skewers with reserved sauce, sprinkle extra Parmesan cheese, and serve immediately.

# Extra Tips:

01 - Soaking wooden skewers prevents burning during air frying or baking.
02 - Uniform chicken piece size ensures even cooking.
03 - Adjust red pepper flakes and hot sauce to control spiciness.
04 - Chicken internal temperature must reach 165°F for food safety.
05 - Substitute fresh parsley with dried parsley using about a third of the quantity.
06 - Use separate brushes for raw and cooked basting to avoid cross-contamination.
07 - Modify cooking time based on your air fryer model and chicken thickness.