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These crispy and tender Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers are my favorite highlight at any barbecue spread. They're guaranteed to impress everyone at the table. If you enjoy juicy chicken smothered in creamy garlic butter and a cheesy parmesan crust, you'll want to make these again and again because they're so easy and tasty.
The first time I tried these, I couldn’t believe how easily garlic and parmesan come together with a burst of lemon. Now, we serve them at every backyard get-together they’re always a hit.
Tasty Ingredients
- Salted Butter: Makes things rich and creamy. Always go for soft butter here.
- Fresh Garlic: Adds a big hit of flavor. Grating it brings out all those aromas.
- Parmesan Cheese: Gives a bold, cheesy kick. Freshly grated is best for a flavor punch.
- Lemon: Zest and juice add a splash of freshness. Go for organic if you can.
- Salt: Brings out all the flavors and melts in perfectly.
- Chili Flakes: Adjust for more or less heat, whichever you like.
- Fresh Parsley: Chopped up, it's a bright pop of color and taste.
- Chicken Thighs: Juicier than breasts. Butcher-quality or organic are worth it.
- Black Pepper: Coarse, strong, and gives a spicy note.
- Wooden Skewers: Soak them before grilling so they don't burn.
Simple Step Guide
- Finishing Touches:
- Once cooked, take those skewers out of your air fryer. Drizzle that leftover garlic parmesan butter right over the top. For a little flair, sprinkle extra parmesan and fresh parsley on. Add a few lemon wedges and dig in together.
- Get Skewers Air Frying:
- Lay the skewers in your preheated air fryer, side by side. Cook at 175°C for five minutes. Pull them out, brush on more of the butter, then air fry another five minutes. Brush once more and finish with a final five minutes. Whole thing takes around 15 minutes and you want them nice and golden brown.
- Brush With Butter:
- Now brush each skewer all over with the garlic parmesan butter. It soaks in everywhere and makes the flavor pop while cooking.
- Season Your Chicken:
- Rub chicken thighs threaded on sticks with a good layer of salt and pepper. That base seasoning makes a difference right from the start.
- Prep Your Skewers:
- Trim your wooden sticks to fit your air fryer perfectly. Kitchen shears work great for this. Thread chicken strips tightly so there aren’t any gaps.
- Make Flavor Butter:
- Melt butter gently on low in a bowl. Mix in fresh garlic, parmesan, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and chili flakes using a spoon. Aim for a nicely blended golden butter. If it firms back up a little, that’s even better for flavor.
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Good Things To Know
Chicken skewers are high in protein and meal prep friendly, plus they’re always a party favorite for kids and adults. Air fryers make them foolproof and never dry. My top trick is to use fresh grated parmesan. It really makes a difference you can taste. Once my son brought a friend home and after three skewers each we had to make more, because nobody wanted to stop eating!
Best Way To Store Skewers
If you put these parmesan skewers in an airtight container in the fridge, they’ll stay good for up to two days. You can snack on them cold—they’re awesome on salads or in sandwiches! If you make a big batch, just warm them quick so they’re even more delicious.
Easy Ingredient Swaps
Swap chicken thighs for turkey thigh, which also stays nice and juicy. For a meatless version, use big mushrooms or halloumi instead. Grana Padano or Pecorino are great swaps for parmesan if that’s what you’ve got.
Serve It Up Lots Of Ways
Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers taste great with Mediterranean sides. Try creamy mashed potatoes or a spoonful of fresh tzatziki. Flatbread and a crisp cucumber salad go super well alongside.
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Fun Facts About These Skewers
This style of seasoned skewered meat has its roots around the Mediterranean, where folks have cooked meat on wooden sticks over an open fire for generations. Mixing butter and parmesan is a twist that came out of the US, but it’s right at home at parties everywhere by now.
Common Recipe Questions
- → Can I throw in chicken breast instead of thighs?
Sure, swap thighs for breast if you want. Just don’t cook breast too long or it’ll get dry quicker than thighs do.
- → Help! What if I don’t have an airfryer?
No worries, use your oven at 200°C. Or get grilling! Just keep flipping the skewers and brush them with more butter till they’re golden and cooked through.
- → Is it a must to go with fresh parmesan?
Freshly grated parmesan tastes best, but if you only have pre-grated, that’ll work too in a pinch.
- → How do I keep wooden sticks from burning?
Let the wooden sticks soak in water for half an hour before you stick on the chicken—they’ll last better under heat that way.
- → Not a fan of parsley, what else can top these?
Try a finishing touch of basil, chives, or just pile on more parmesan for an extra punch and a pretty look.