Get ready to fall in love with Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers! This mouthwatering dish brings tender, juicy pieces of chicken, basted with a homemade garlic parmesan butter sauce, cooked to perfection in your air fryer, oven, or on the grill. Whether you serve them as a crowd-pleasing appetizer or pile them high over rice and veggies, these skewers are all about big flavors and irresistible aromas. Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers strike that perfect balance: garlicky, cheesy, a little spicy, and incredibly juicy—all with minimal mess and maximum satisfaction.

Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

You might be surprised at how simple the ingredient list is, but don’t let that fool you—each component plays an essential role in the taste, texture, and even the vibrant color of your skewers. Here’s what you’ll need to turn basic ingredients into Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers that knock it out of the park.

Chicken Tenders, Thighs, or Breast (2 lbs): Go with whatever cut you love best; thigh meat will be extra juicy, breast lighter, and tenders are just plain easy to work with.
Olive Oil (2 tbsp): This helps the seasonings stick and keeps every bite moist during cooking.
Butter (1 stick): Forms the delicious backbone of your garlic parmesan sauce, bringing lots of rich, melty flavor.
Garlic, Minced (8–10 cloves): Fresh garlic is non-negotiable here—it’s the flavor star!
Parmesan, Grated (1/2 cup): Adds sharp cheesiness and melts beautifully into the sauce for coating the chicken.
Hot Sauce (1 tbsp, or more): This is the secret to a subtle undercurrent of heat—adjust to suit your spice tolerance.
Red Pepper Flakes (2 tsp): For a warm kick that wakes up all the other flavors.
Fresh Parsley, Minced (1/3 cup): Lends a burst of color and a fresh, herby aroma to every skewer.
Paprika (2 tsp): Adds smoky flavor and gorgeous color to the chicken as it cooks.
Garlic Powder (1 tsp): Boosts the garlicky intensity without overpowering the fresh garlic.
Onion Powder (1 tsp): Gives an extra layer of savory flavor to round out the taste.
Salt (1/2 tsp): Essential for bringing all the other flavors to life.
Pepper (1/2 tsp): A little black pepper sharpens up the profile just right.

How to Make Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers

Step 1: Prep and Skewer the Chicken

Before you do anything else, soak your wooden skewers in cold water for at least 30 minutes—this prevents burning if you’re oven-baking or grilling. Mix your paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper together in a small bowl for the chicken seasoning. Next, cut your chicken into roughly 3-inch pieces, then toss them in a large bowl or zip-top bag with olive oil and the mixed spices. Once they’re all coated in that flavorful blend, thread the chicken pieces tightly on your skewers. Make sure to pack them close together; this creates juicy, tender bites. If your skewers are a bit long for your air fryer, just snip off the ends so they fit perfectly.

Step 2: Make the Garlic Parmesan Butter Sauce

Now it’s time to whip up the magic that makes Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers so irresistible. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the butter and minced garlic and heat until about halfway melted. Stir in the red pepper flakes, hot sauce, minced parsley, and grated parmesan. Whisk it all together until it’s luscious and combined. If the sauce separates, add a tablespoon or two of softened butter and whisk again until smooth. Divide the sauce—scoop out a third to use for basting the chicken as it cooks, and keep the rest separate for finishing (this keeps everything safe and delicious).

Step 3: Cook the Chicken Skewers

Working in batches, arrange two or three skewers at a time in your air fryer basket. Cook at 400 degrees for 5 minutes. Flip the skewers, baste generously with the reserved sauce, and pop them back in for another 2 minutes. Flip once more, baste again, and continue cooking for 5–6 minutes more, until your chicken hits an internal temp of 165 degrees. Every air fryer is a little different, so check for doneness. Right before serving, brush the skewers with the clean, reserved sauce and a final sprinkle of parmesan for maximum flavor.

Step 4: Alternate Methods—Oven and Grill

If you’d rather use the oven, preheat to 450 degrees and bake skewers on a foil-lined rimmed sheet for 14 minutes, flipping once and basting throughout. Switch to broil for an extra 2 minutes at the end for golden, bubbling tops, then finish with more butter sauce and parmesan. For grilling, heat your grill to medium-high and cook skewers over direct heat, turning and basting every 5–6 minutes. Serve hot, glistening, and ready to impress.

How to Serve Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers

Garnishes

Right before serving, a fresh shower of grated parmesan and a flurry of finely chopped parsley make Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers truly pop. For extra color and zing, a sprinkle of extra red pepper flakes never hurts. Serve the skewers directly on a platter or resting on a bed of greens for a vibrant, party-ready presentation.

Side Dishes

These skewers are fabulous on their own, but they also shine with easy sides. Scoop them over fluffy basmati or jasmine rice, or tuck them into warm pita with shredded lettuce for a quick meal. Add roasted veggies, a crisp salad, or some Italian-style pasta salad for a complete and satisfying feast.

Creative Ways to Present

If you’re looking to go beyond the ordinary, try serving your Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers slider-style (think: mini buns, a swipe of leftover garlic sauce, and arugula), or set up a DIY skewer bar where everyone can build their own with rice bowls, veggies, and drizzles of sauce. Individually wrapped skewers also make for fun, savory picnic or party bites.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers keep beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. If you have extra sauce, store it separately and use it to revive the chicken right before serving. A quick splash of water or chicken broth during reheating helps keep the meat moist.

Freezing

To freeze, let the cooked chicken skewers cool completely first. Remove the chicken from the skewers and pack in a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep well for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat and brush with fresh or previously saved sauce.

Reheating

For the juiciest results, reheat the chicken gently in the oven at 325 degrees until warmed through, or use your air fryer at a low temperature for a few minutes. Drizzle with warmed parmesan butter sauce to bring them back to life. The microwave works too, but go low and slow to minimize dryness.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs or tenders?

Absolutely! Just be sure to cut the pieces to a uniform size, and keep a close eye on doneness, since breast meat cooks a bit faster and can dry out if left too long. The seasonings and sauce work perfectly on any cut.

What’s the best way to keep the skewers juicy?

Packing the chicken tightly on the skewers is key, as it helps retain moisture during cooking. Basting generously with sauce at every step also helps lock in flavor and juiciness.

Can I make Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers without an air fryer?

Yes! Both oven and grilling methods work beautifully. The air fryer ensures super crisp edges and quick cooking, but the recipe adapts easily for other methods with a few timing tweaks.

Is there a substitute for fresh parmesan?

Freshly grated parmesan gives you that authentic cheesy punch, but in a pinch, pre-grated parmesan or even pecorino romano will add a similar flavor profile. Just avoid the powdered, shelf-stable stuff for best results.

How spicy are the skewers?

The hot sauce and red pepper flakes add a gentle, warm heat—but nothing overwhelming. You can always dial the spice up or down by adjusting these amounts, making Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers as mild or bold as you like.

Final Thoughts

If you’re craving a dish that’s easy, impressive, and packed with crowd-pleasing flavor, you need to try these Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers. Tender, garlicky, cheesy, and just a little bit spicy, they’re everything you want in a weeknight dinner or party appetizer. I hope you love every bite as much as I do!

Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers Recipe