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Last summer when my outdoor grill quit working right before a family get-together, I stumbled upon these Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers. They've now turned into our family's top dinner request. The chicken turns out super moist and tender, soaked in a delicious garlic Parmesan butter sauce. And the best part? They're done in less than 20 minutes – just what you need when everyone's hungry and wondering what's on the menu tonight.
What Makes These Skewers So Amazing
These skewers have earned a permanent spot in my dinner lineup for good reason. They're super quick in the air fryer, usually taking just 20 minutes from start to finish. When you mix smoked paprika with garlic, you get this incredible flavor combo, especially once you add that Parmesan butter coating. I switch up the sides constantly – sometimes we do rice, other times a fresh salad. My crew never complains about having them again. And we can enjoy that awesome grilled flavor during any season, even when it's freezing outside in January.
Getting Started
Your chicken ingredients list:
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts cut into bite sized pieces
For your mouthwatering garlic Parmesan butter:
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup unsalted butter softened
What You'll Need
Your air fryer is the main tool you'll want. I go with wooden skewers but metal ones do the job too. You'll also need a couple bowls for mixing and a brush for the butter. That's it – nothing fancy needed for this super simple meal.
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Putting It All Together
First, combine your olive oil with the garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt and pepper in a bowl. Throw your chicken pieces in and coat them thoroughly. Thread them onto your skewers, making sure to leave small spaces between each piece so they cook all the way through. Set your air fryer to 400°F. While it warms up, mix your soft butter with the Parmesan, fresh garlic, parsley, and a bit of salt and pepper.
Put your loaded skewers in the air fryer basket and let them cook for around 10 minutes, turning them over halfway. Now for the tasty part – brush that garlic Parmesan butter all over them and cook just a bit longer until they're done just right.
Great Side Dishes
These skewers go with practically anything. We really like them with soft rice that soaks up all that buttery garlic goodness. They're great next to a fresh Caesar salad or some oven-roasted veggies. My little ones especially enjoy when I make air-fried asparagus with these – the whole dinner cooks in one appliance.
Tricks I've Learned
Don't forget to soak wooden skewers in water first so they won't burn. Always make sure your chicken hits 165°F inside – I can't go without my meat thermometer for this. Sometimes I toss in some red pepper flakes when we want a little kick. My daughter always asks for extra cheese on hers.
Storing What's Left
Any skewers you don't eat can go in a sealed container and stay good in your fridge for about three days. When you want to eat them again, just stick them back in the air fryer at 350°F for a couple minutes. They taste almost like you just made them.
Common Questions
Folks often wonder if metal skewers work instead of wooden ones – they absolutely do. People ask about switching between chicken thighs and breasts too – both are fine, though thighs usually stay a bit juicier. Don't have an air fryer? No worries – you can cook these in your regular oven at 400°F for roughly 15 to 20 minutes.
Wrapping Up
These skewers taught me that kitchen mishaps can lead to amazing new meals. My broken grill ended up creating this dish my family now loves all year long. Each serving has about 310 calories and packs 24g of protein, so they're pretty good for you too. Try them out and see what your family thinks. And if you need more quick dinner ideas, take a look at my chicken and buttered noodles – it's another family winner.
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Recipe Questions & Answers
- → Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?
Sure, either option works. Thighs are juicier, but if you’re a fan of white meat, breasts are great too. Just be mindful of the slightly faster cook time for breasts.
- → How do I know when the chicken is done?
The internal temp should hit 165°F. Check that the meat is white, not pink, and the juices are clear when you cut into it.
- → Can these skewers be prepped in advance?
Yes! Mix up your chicken and seasoning up to a day before. Keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to put it on skewers and cook.
- → What sides go well with these?
These are great with rice, veggies, or a fresh salad. Dunking them in extra garlic parmesan butter sauce also takes them up a notch!
- → Do the skewers need flipping while cooking?
Yep, flipping halfway through is important. It ensures even cooking and gives them that lovely golden look.