Spicy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers: Your Next Flavor Obsession!

Spicy garlic parmesan chicken skewers are a dish that’s sure to impress at any dinner. Imagine juicy chicken with crispy edges, roasted garlic, and a cheesy parmesan finish. This flavor combination delivers a bit of heat that makes it both unique and irresistible. It’s easy to prepare and can be served over rice or with your favorite sides.

Whether you’re using a grill, air fryer, or oven, these skewers are perfect for a quick weeknight meal or a delightful family gathering. The balanced blend of spices, mayonnaise, and drizzled sauce ensures a savory and tender bite every time.

Discover Spicy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers – Irresistible Bite! -The Answer

Ingredients for Chicken Skewers

To make spicy garlic parmesan chicken skewers:

1. Start with Chicken Tenders:
   • Use boneless and skinless pieces (thighs, dark meat, or breasts).
   • Cut chicken into 1-inch pieces to ensure even cooking.
2. Seasoning:
   • Salt
   • Poultry seasoning
   • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
   • Pinch of black pepper
3. Marinade:
   • Mayo (makes the final product juicy and tender)
   • Grated parmesan (adds an umami kick, making the chicken salty and delicios)

Making Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers

1. Prepare the Chicken:
   • Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces.
   • Toss chicken with seasoning salt, mayonnaise, garlic powder, and grated parmesan.
   • If using a salt-free mix, add 1 teaspoon salt.
   • Combine all ingredients well (use a bowl or ziploc bag for easy cleanup).
   • Marinate for at least 20 minutes, up to 16 hours in the refrigerator.
2. Make the Butter Sauce:
   • In a small bowl, smash softened butter with a fork.
   • Mix in pressed garlic, parsley, chili crunch, and lemon juice.
   • Set aside the mixture. If too thick, microwave for 5 seconds to loosen.
3. Prepare and Cook Skewers:
   • Thread bite-sized chicken pieces onto skewers.
   • Preheat the air fryer and place 4-7 skewers inside, depending on the model.
   • Spray the basket with avocado oil or olive oil cooking spray to prevent sticking.
   • Cook and flip skewers at the halfway mark.
   • When chicken is almost done, baste both sides with butter sauce and cook for another 60-90 seconds.
   • Check doneness with a meat thermometer, remove, and baste again with remaining sauce.
   • For extra flavor, sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

Preparing the Skewers

Ensure the butter is softened to room temperature so you can easily mix it with the other ingredients. Brush this mix onto the chicken in the last minutes of air frying. The minced garlic, parmesan, and sauce create a perfect blend to baste the skewers. Adding parsley to the sauce gives it a fresh touch.

For extra heat, use chili crunch; 1 teaspoon for a mild kick, or double or triple the amount for a spicy version. If you prefer, substitute with ¼ to ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes. A bit of lemon juice adds a nice tanginess to the butter sauce.

When you’re ready to cook, use either metal or wooden skewers. If using wooden ones, remember to soak them in a bowl of water to prevent burning on the grill. This way, your kebabs will cook perfectly without any issues.

What Kind of Chicken to Use for Skewers?

For making spicy garlic parmesan chicken skewers, I recommend using boneless, skinless chicken thighs. They are not only cheaper than chicken breast but also more flavorful and juicy. Dark meat is great because you can cook it to a higher temperature without drying it out, thanks to the extra fat which keeps the meat moist and delicious.

Preparing the Chicken

To prepare spicy garlic parmesan chicken skewers, start by cutting chicken thighs into one inch size pieces and placing them in a bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and coat generously with bbq seasoning until the chicken is well seasoned. Next, thread the pieces onto wooden skewers. To prevent burning, soak the skewers in water for 30 minutes before using. Make sure to leave a little room at the bottom of the skewer to hold it, and then thread the chicken pieces on top of each other. Finally, place the skewers on the grill and cook until done.

Making the Spicy Garlic Parmesan Butter

To make the spicy garlic parmesan butter, start by adding softened butter to a bowl. Stir in the rest of the ingredients, including chopped parsley, grated parmesan cheese, roasted garlic paste, salt, black pepper, and buffalo sauce. Save some of this butter to brush onto the chicken skewers while they cook on the grill and reserve a little more for serving. For an extra twist, be sure to check out this cowboy butter recipe; it would be great on these skewers as well.

Grilling Spicy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers

When grilling spicy garlic parmesan chicken skewers, using a charcoal grill adds an extra flavor that gas or pellet grills might not provide. Start by heating your grill to medium high and placing the skewers directly over the charcoal. As they cook, rotate them every few minutes to ensure even cooking. You want a nice golden brown color on the chicken with some crispy edges. For an additional touch, throw a bit of mesquite wood towards the back of the grill to add a little smoke flavor—this step is optional.

Once the skewers reach an internal temperature of 135°F, start brushing on the garlic parmesan butter. Brush and rotate the skewers to make sure they cook evenly. Repeat this process 2-3 times until the skewers reach an internal temperature of 165°F. The chicken will absorb all of the buttery flavor, helping to create a beautiful color on the outside. Be cautious, as the extra butter can cause some flare ups. If the grill gets too hot, move the skewers so they aren’t directly over the heat. After removing the chicken from the grill, give it a final brush with the butter sauce before serving.

For a complete meal, consider pairing these skewers with a side of cornbread cupcakes with mashed potatoes. The savory chicken and the comforting cornbread cupcakes make a delightful combination.

How To Store Chicken Skewers

If you have any leftover chicken skewers, place them in an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. You can also remove the chicken from the skewers before storing. To reheat, use the oven, microwave, or a skillet. Store any extra garlic parmesan sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When ready to eat, brush the sauce over the reheated chicken before serving.

Notes Oven and Grilling Instructions

To make spicy garlic parmesan chicken skewers in the oven, start by preheating the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the coated cubes of chicken onto the skewers, then onto the lined baking sheet. Cook for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Once done, remove from the oven and drizzle or brush with the garlic parmesan sauce.

For grilling, thread the seasoned chicken onto the skewers. Grill over medium-high heat for 8-10 minutes per side until the internal temperature is 165°F. After grilling, brush the grilled chicken with the garlic parmesan sauce for an extra burst of flavor.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This recipe for spicy garlic parmesan chicken skewers is not only easy to make with just a few quick steps before letting the air fryer do its job, but it’s also incredibly simple to pull together. The juicy chicken thighs are basted in a delicious blend of butter, garlic, parmesan cheese, and red pepper flakes, making them extremely flavorful.

These chicken skewers are perfect for meal prep. You can make a full batch and divide it among 5 lunch containers with some delicious sides like fluffy quinoa and roasted green beans. These are excellent choices and great picks for a balanced meal.

Recipe Tip

For spicy garlic parmesan chicken skewers, if you need to trim the wood skewers to fit in the air fryer, we recommend using heavy duty poultry shears for the cleanest and easiest cut. Alternatively, metal skewers are a great option if they fit your air fryer. You can also make this recipe nugget-style without skewers. Just know that the chicken will cook faster, so be sure to keep your eye on it.

FAQs

How Do You Know if Chicken Skewers Are Cooked?

To ensure your spicy garlic parmesan chicken skewers are cooked through, use a meat thermometer, a very handy utensil to have in the kitchen. For chicken, you want the internal meat temperature to be over 70˚C (158˚F+) but not over 80˚C. This ensures that the chicken is safe to eat and perfectly cooked.

What Temperature is Chicken Kabobs Done?

When making spicy garlic parmesan chicken skewers, cook them for 10 to 15 minutes, turning the skewers so they brown nicely on all sides. The chicken is cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F on an instant read thermometer. You’ll know the chicken is done when the juices run clear and a piece of chicken is easily cut.