Crisp Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers Recipe

Zesty Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers: A Flavor-Packed Recipe

Sizzling and savory garlic parmesan chicken skewers dance with irresistible flavor on the grill.

Summer barbecues shine with this mouthwatering skewers recipe that blends zesty garlic and rich parmesan into each tender bite.

Juicy chicken pieces marinate in a blend of herbs and spices, promising an explosion of taste.

Each skewer promises a perfect balance of crispy exterior and succulent interior.

The combination of garlic and parmesan creates a classic seasoning that never disappoints hungry guests.

Simple ingredients and quick preparation make this dish a go-to for casual dinners or weekend gatherings.

Serve these delectable skewers alongside a fresh salad or grilled vegetables for a complete meal that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Serve Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers Like a Pro

  • Flavor-Packed Party Platter: Arrange these zesty skewers on a large wooden board with colorful garnishes like fresh parsley, lemon wedges, and cherry tomatoes. Create a vibrant, Instagram-worthy presentation that'll impress your guests.
  • Dipping Delight Station: Prepare complementary sauces like cool ranch, spicy sriracha mayo, or creamy blue cheese to enhance the chicken's bold garlic parmesan flavor. Guests can mix and match dips for a personalized taste experience.
  • Perfectly Paired Sides: Serve alongside light Mediterranean-inspired sides such as Greek salad, roasted vegetable quinoa, or herbed couscous. These accompaniments will balance the rich, savory skewers and create a complete, satisfying meal.
  • Weeknight Meal Makeover: Transform leftovers into delicious wraps by sliding chicken off skewers and tucking into warm pita bread with crisp lettuce and extra parmesan sprinkle. Quick, easy, and zero food waste!

Save Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers for Later

  • Smart Meal Planning Magic
  • Batch Cooking Brilliance: Prepare multiple skewers in one cooking session, storing extras in airtight containers for quick weekday meals. Refrigerated portions stay fresh for 3-4 days, offering convenient grab-and-go protein options.
  • Freezer-Friendly Technique: Wrap uncooked seasoned skewers individually in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags. These premade skewers can be stored up to 2 months, allowing spontaneous meal preparation without starting from scratch.
  • Sauce Storage Strategy: Keep the garlic parmesan sauce separately in a sealed container within the refrigerator. This liquid gold lasts up to a week, perfect for additional basting or drizzling over salads and other dishes.
  • Reheating Wisdom: Warm leftover skewers in the air fryer at 350F for 3-4 minutes to maintain crispy exterior and juicy chicken interior. Avoid microwave reheating to prevent moisture loss and texture degradation.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 27 minutes

Calories: 468 kcal

Servings: 5

Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers: What You’ll Need

For Chicken Base:
  • Chicken Breast: Select fresh, boneless cuts for tender, juicy skewers with minimal preparation needed.
For Seasoning Blend:
  • Paprika, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder: Creates a robust flavor foundation that enhances the chicken's natural taste.
  • Salt, Black Pepper: Fundamental seasonings that amplify and balance the overall recipe's flavor profile.
For Sauce and Finishing Ingredients:
  • Butter: Provides rich, creamy texture and helps bind other sauce ingredients.
  • Minced Garlic: Adds deep, aromatic intensity to the sauce and complements chicken perfectly.
  • Red Pepper Flakes: Introduces a subtle, warming heat to elevate the dish's complexity.
  • Hot Sauce: Delivers an extra kick of spiciness and tangy undertones.
  • Fresh Parsley: Brings a bright, herbaceous note and beautiful green color.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Contributes nutty, salty depth and creates a delightful crispy exterior.
  • Olive Oil: Helps seasonings adhere to chicken and promotes even cooking.
For Preparation Tool:
  • Wooden Skewers: Essential for transforming chicken into elegant, easy-to-eat appetizers or main course.

Kitchen Essentials for Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers

  • Air Fryer: Essential for cooking chicken skewers quickly and evenly at high temperature.
  • Wooden Skewers: Key for threading and holding chicken pieces together during cooking.
  • Large Mixing Bowl: Perfect for tossing chicken with oil and seasonings.
  • Small Bowl: Great for preparing and mixing dry seasonings.
  • Microwave-Safe Bowl: Needed for melting butter and creating garlic parmesan sauce.
  • Whisk: Helpful for blending sauce ingredients smoothly.
  • Measuring Spoons: Useful for accurately portioning seasonings and spices.
  • Kitchen Tongs: Helpful for flipping skewers in air fryer safely.
  • Cutting Board: Necessary for cutting chicken into even pieces.
  • Sharp Knife: Essential for precise chicken cutting.

Cooking Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers Simply

  • Skewer Preparation

Wooden skewers soak in water, preventing unwanted burning during cooking.

  • Flavor Fusion

Create a zesty spice blend mixing paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.

  • Chicken Magic

Slice chicken into bite-sized chunks and coat thoroughly with olive oil and spice mixture.

  • Sauce Creation

Melt butter with garlic, then blend in red pepper flakes, hot sauce, parsley, and parmesan for a mouthwatering coating.

  • Air Fryer Dance

Arrange skewers in air fryer at 400F. Cook 5 minutes, flip, baste with sauce. Repeat process, ensuring chicken reaches 165F internal temperature.

  • Final Touch

Generously brush remaining garlic parmesan sauce over cooked skewers. Sprinkle extra parmesan cheese for a delightful finish.

Tweak Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers to Taste

  • Skewer Seasoning Swap: Experiment with different spice blends like Cajun, Italian, or Mediterranean herbs to give your chicken a global flavor twist.
  • Marinade Magic: Let chicken soak in buttermilk or yogurt for 2-4 hours before seasoning to ensure extra tenderness and deeper flavor penetration.
  • Vegetable Companions: Thread bell peppers, zucchini, or red onions alongside chicken pieces to create a more colorful and nutritious skewer experience.
  • Cheese Lover's Hack: Replace parmesan with crumbled feta, sharp cheddar, or pecorino romano for unique cheese flavor profiles that complement the chicken perfectly.
  • Dipping Sauce Options: Create complementary sauces like tzatziki, ranch, or spicy aioli to serve alongside the skewers for added excitement and taste variety.
Print
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Crisp Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers Recipe

Crispy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers


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4.9 from 14 reviews

  • Total Time: 27 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Succulent garlic parmesan chicken skewers delight bring Mediterranean flavors to your dinner table. Herb-marinated chicken pieces grill perfectly with zesty parmesan coating, creating an irresistible meal you cannot wait to savor.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs (907 grams) chicken (tenders, thighs, or breast)
  • ½ cup (50 grams) parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 stick (113 grams) butter
  • 810 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsps olive oil
  • ⅓ cup parsley, fresh, minced
  • 2 tsps paprika
  • 2 tsps red pepper flakes
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp pepper
  • 1 tbsp hot sauce (optional)

Instructions

  1. Skewer Preparation: Submerge wooden skewers in cold water for 30 minutes to prevent burning during cooking.
  2. Seasoning Blend: Combine paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl to create a flavorful coating.
  3. Chicken Preparation: Cut chicken into consistent 3-inch cubes, then coat thoroughly with olive oil and the prepared spice mixture, ensuring complete coverage.
  4. Skewering Process: Carefully thread seasoned chicken pieces onto pre-soaked skewers, arranging them compactly for uniform cooking.
  5. Sauce Creation: Melt butter with minced garlic, then incorporate red pepper flakes, hot sauce, chopped parsley, and grated parmesan to develop a rich, complex sauce.
  6. Air Frying: Cook skewers in the air fryer at 400F for 5 minutes, flip, and baste with sauce, then continue cooking for an additional 2 minutes.
  7. Final Cooking: Rotate skewers once more, apply remaining sauce, and cook until chicken reaches 165F internal temperature, typically taking 12-14 minutes total.
  8. Serving Finale: Brush skewers with a final layer of garlic parmesan sauce and sprinkle extra parmesan cheese for a gourmet presentation.

Notes

  • Prevent Skewer Burning: Soak wooden skewers in cold water for 30 minutes to avoid charring and potential fire hazards during cooking.
  • Seasoning Technique: Mix dry spices thoroughly before coating chicken to ensure even flavor distribution and maximum taste in every bite.
  • Chicken Preparation: Cut chicken into uniform 3-inch cubes for consistent cooking and professional-looking presentation of skewers.
  • Sauce Mastery: Microwave butter and garlic together gently to develop rich flavors without burning, creating a smooth base for the complex sauce mixture.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Grilling
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 468
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 740 mg
  • Fat: 34 g
  • Saturated Fat: 17 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 3 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 38 g
  • Cholesterol: 120 mg
Jessica Martin

Jessica Martin

Recipe Developer & Food Writer

Expertise

Recipe Development, Food Styling and Photography​, Seasonal and Local Ingredients​, Vegetarian and Vegan Cuisine​, Culinary Education​

Education

Portland Community College

  • Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in culinary techniques, kitchen management, and food safety. Gained hands-on experience in preparing diverse cuisines and understanding flavor profiles

Oregon Culinary Institute

  • Program: Baking and Pastry Certificate
  • Focus: Specialized education in baking fundamentals, pastry arts, and dessert presentation. Emphasized creativity and precision in crafting baked goods.​

Jessica Martin is a talented food writer and recipe creator who specializes in seasonal cooking and approachable home baking. 

Educated at Portland Community College with additional pastry training from Oregon Culinary Institute, Jessica’s culinary journey spans nearly a decade of creating and sharing flavorful recipes. 

Her deep appreciation for local ingredients shapes each of her recipes, making them both accessible and inspiring. At Beard and Bonnet, Jessica uses her cheerful, down-to-earth writing to help readers effortlessly bring new tastes and creative dishes into their daily routines.

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