Herb Marinated Air Fryer Chicken Skewers
Recipe Snapshot
PREP + COOK TIME: under 1 hour (including time to marinate)
METHOD: Air fryer
OTHER TOOLS: wooden skewers
TOTAL INGREDIENTS: 8
Herb-marinated air fryer chicken skewers are a fun twist on a simple chicken entrée! Pop them into the basket after a tangy, herbal marinade, and get juicy, tender results in minimal time. Pair the chicken with rice, veggies, or serve over a fresh salad!
What is a chicken skewer?
A chicken skewer consists of bite-sized pieces of chicken that are threaded onto a skewer and then cooked.
A skewer is similar to a kabob, but kabobs typically include vegetables such as onions and peppers, and they may use different marinades. Skewers include just the meat and are customized with different seasonings and marinades.
What’s To Love About This Recipe
- Chicken skewers are quick and easy in the air fryer – they cook in under 15 minutes! This is a nice variation to a cooked chicken breast and can make it more appealing for pickier eaters.
- The air fryer method produces perfectly juicy chicken. With the addition of a simple marinade, you get maximum flavor and tenderness with little effort.
- These are so easy to make ahead. You can make up a batch to portion into balanced meals for the week, or even just make a few to add extra protein to serve with a la carte dishes.
- The air fryer is a healthier option than grilling or frying. This method will use less oil but still produce crispy and flavorful chicken skewers.
- You can adjust the marinade or spices and even add veggies to the skewers!
Ingredients Needed
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts – Chicken breasts are lean and tender and also hold their shape well when cut into small pieces.
- Chicken broth – Broth creates a base for the marinade to infuse extra flavor and juiciness.
- Olive oil – Oil adds richness to the marinade.
- Soy sauce – This adds a deep, umami element to the marinade and helps tenderize the meat.
- Honey – A touch of sweetness balances the acidity and savory elements.
- Lemon juice and rice vinegar – These add fresh acidity that helps the chicken to have a bit of a tangy bite while also tenderizing it further.
- Herb and garlic seasoning – Add this right before cooking to help the seasoning stick to the meat and create a tasty seasoned outer layer.
How To Make Air Fryer Chicken Skewers
- Cut chicken into bite-size chunks (about 1 ½ inches each).
- In a bowl, mix together all remaining ingredients – except herb and garlic seasoning.
- Add chicken to the bowl and toss to coat with seasonings.
- Refrigerate to let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, soak small wooden skewers in water.
- Thread chicken onto the skewers and sprinkle with herb and garlic seasoning.
- Add chicken skewers in a single layer to the air fryer and cook at 380 ℉ for (8-12 minutes) until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 ℉.
Pro Tips
- Use chicken breasts for a leaner, firmer texture. Chicken thighs will be juicier and are also more forgiving with cooking time.
- Wooden or metal skewers will both work in the air fryer. Metal skewers are reusable and can heat the chicken more evenly. Wooden skewers are usually more readily available, but they must be soaked in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning.
- To thread the chicken on the skewers, keep the pieces evenly sized for uniform cooking. Also, don’t overcrowd the skewer and leave small gaps between pieces for airflow.
- Preheating helps get a crispier exterior, but it’s optional.
- A batch of about 3-4 skewers will fit in the air fryer without overlapping. This depends on the size of the air fryer – adjust as needed so as not to overcrowd.
- Cooking from frozen is not recommended. Marinating the chicken is essential for flavor and texture, and it needs to be defrosted first to absorb the marinade.
Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Other protein options for air fryer skewers are chicken thighs, beef, pork, or shrimp. For beef and pork, adjust the cooking time as needed. Shrimp will cook much faster, usually within about 5-7 minutes.
- Add veggies to the skewers, such as bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, zucchini, or cherry tomatoes. If you use veggies, cut them into pieces of similar size as the chicken.
- Lemon pepper, Cajun seasoning, BBQ rub, and Mediterranean herbs are excellent seasoning variations.
- For other sauce and marinade ideas, try teriyaki, honey mustard, BBQ, or a spicy sriracha glaze.
Chicken Skewers in the Oven
- Prepare chicken and marinate as directed.
- Soak small wooden skewers in water.
- Thread chicken onto the skewers and sprinkle with herb and garlic seasoning.
- Bake at 400 ℉ for 18-20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
What To Serve With Air Fryer Chicken Skewers
Air fryer chicken skewers are a great option to pair with a variety of sides. You can also adjust the marinade or seasoning to make them fit with any cuisine you’re serving!
Add skewers to a bowl of Instant Pot Jasmine Rice, cilantro-lime rice, or Instant Pot Quinoa, and top with fresh, chopped veggies. Serve with a salad such as cucumber-tomato salad or Greek salad with Easy Yogurt Sauce.
Mix up your favorite dips or sauces to change up the meal. Garlic aioli, honey mustard, or Blue Cheese Dipping Sauce would be delicious. Add a side of roasted vegetables and warmed pita bread for a fresh and tasty meal!
Storing and Reheating
To store leftovers, remove the chicken from the skewers and place the pieces in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
When reheating, I prefer to use the air fryer at 350 ℉ for 3-5 minutes for the best results, or you can try the oven at 375 ℉ for about 10 minutes. If you use the microwave, remove the meat from the skewers and heat in short bursts to prevent drying out.
Herb Marinated Air Fryer Chicken Skewers
Equipment
- skewers
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon herb and garlic seasoning
Instructions
- Cut chicken into bite-size chunks (about 1 ½ inches each)
- In a bowl, mix together all remaining ingredients – except herb and garlic seasoning
- Add chicken to bowl and toss to coat with seasonings
- Refrigerate to let chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes
- Meanwhile, soak small wooden skewers in water
- Thread chicken onto skewers and sprinkle with herb and garlic seasoning
- Add chicken skewers in a single layer to the air fryer and cook at 380 ℉ for (8-12 mins) until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 ℉
Notes
- Remove the chicken from the skewers and store the pieces in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge or 3 months in the freezer.
- For best results, reheat in the air fryer at 350 ℉ for 3-5 minutes, in the oven at 375℉ for 10 minutes, or in the microwave in short bursts to prevent drying out.
- Always cook chicken to an internal temperature of 165 ℉ for safety.
- Do not cook from frozen.
- Keep the pieces evenly sized for uniform cooking on the skewers and don’t overcrowd to allow for proper airflow.
- Preheating is optional.
