Name: Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 lbs chicken tenders (or thighs or breast); 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 stick butter; 8–10 cloves garlic, minced; 1/2 cup grated Parmesan; 1 tbsp hot sauce (more if desired); 2 tsp red pepper flakes; 1/3 cup fresh parsley, minced; 2 tsp paprika; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp onion powder; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp pepper

Jump to Recipe·Leave a Review

I’m sharing my favorite go-to recipe for Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers, an easy and flavorful dish that combines tender chicken basted in a decadent garlic-parmesan butter sauce. It’s perfect as a party appetizer or a satisfying weeknight meal and turns out juicy and delicious every time.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I love how this recipe keeps the chicken incredibly moist by tightly packing the pieces on skewers and basting them throughout the cooking process. The garlic-parmesan butter sauce is rich with garlic, parmesan, a touch of heat from hot sauce and red pepper flakes, and brightened by fresh parsley. It’s always a hit whether I make it in the air fryer, oven, or on the grill.

ingredients

(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• 2 lbs chicken tenders (or thighs or breast)
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Garlic Parmesan Butter Sauce:
• 1 stick butter
• 8–10 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ cup grated Parmesan
• 1 tbsp hot sauce (add more if desired)
• 2 tsp red pepper flakes
• ⅓ cup fresh parsley, minced

Chicken Seasonings:
• 2 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp pepper

directions

Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes.
In a small bowl, mix together the chicken seasonings. Cut chicken into ~3″ pieces, then toss with olive oil and the seasoning blend until fully coated.
Thread the chicken pieces tightly onto the skewers to keep them juicy. Trim skewers if necessary so they fit in your cooking appliance.
Prepare the garlic-parmesan butter sauce: melt butter with garlic (in a saucepan or microwave), then whisk in hot sauce, red pepper flakes, parsley, and Parmesan. If the sauce separates, stir in a bit of softened butter to re-emulsify. Reserve ⅓ of the sauce for basting while cooking, and keep the rest aside for after cooking to avoid cross-contamination.
Air Fryer: Cook 2–3 skewers at a time at 400 °F for 5 minutes. Flip them, baste with reserved sauce, then cook 2 more minutes. Flip again, baste again, and cook 5–6 minutes longer—or until the chicken reaches 165 °F. Finally, brush with the remaining sauce and sprinkle with extra Parmesan before serving.
- Oven: Preheat to 450 °F; bake skewers on foil-lined sheet for 14 minutes, flipping halfway and basting intermittently. Then broil 2 minutes until golden, baste one more time, and finish with Parmesan.
- Grill: Heat to medium-high. Grill skewers ~5–6 minutes per side, basting throughout, then finish with a final baste and Parmesan sprinkle.

Servings and timing

Servings: Makes approximately 6 skewers
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Total time: 35 minutes

Variations

I sometimes swap chicken tenders for thigh or breast pieces—tenders are my go-to because they stay so moist. If I want extra heat, I’ll up the hot sauce or red pepper flakes. And when I’m out of skewers or feeling lazy, I’ll skip the skewering and just cook the seasoned chicken pieces directly in the air fryer—it still turns out amazing.

storage/reheating

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3–4 days. When reheating, I gently warm them in the air fryer or oven at a low temperature, brushing with a little extra garlic butter to keep them from drying out. This helps them stay juicy and flavorful.

FAQs

What can I serve with these skewers?

I like serving them over buttery rice to soak up the garlic-parmesan sauce. Corn, roasted veggies, or mashed potatoes also pair beautifully. One time I even tried them with broccoli Caesar pasta salad, and it was delicious.

Can I make these ahead of time?

I find it best to prep everything—cut and season the chicken, make the sauce—then assemble and cook just before serving. Pre-basted chicken can dry out if left too long, and I always keep the finishing sauce separate until serving.

How do I keep the sauce from separating?

If the garlic-parmesan sauce looks separated, I simply stir in 1–2 tablespoons of softened butter to help it re-emulsify into a creamy blend.

Can I make these without an air fryer?

Absolutely! The oven and grill methods work great. The oven gives nice crispness with broiling, while the grill adds a lovely char and smoky flavor.

What if I don’t have wooden skewers?

No need to worry—just place the seasoned chicken pieces directly in the air fryer basket or on a baking sheet. The flavor is fantastic even without skewers.

Conclusion

I love how this Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers recipe brings together juicy, well-seasoned chicken with rich, buttery garlic-parmesan sauce that’s endlessly adaptable and crowd-pleasing. Whether I’m feeding the family on busy weeknights or sharing appetizers at a gathering, it’s always a hit. I hope I’ve inspired you to make it your new favorite, too!