Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers Recipe

I’m excited to share this Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers Recipe with you—it’s seriously one of those dishes that feels fancy enough for guests but comes together super quickly on an average weeknight. The blend of garlicky, buttery goodness with that nutty parmesan flavor just hits all the right notes. If you love skewers or just want something tasty and simple, these chicken skewers will quickly become your go-to.

What I adore about this recipe is how flexible it is. Whether you’re using an air fryer like I usually do or firing up the grill in summer, these skewers come out perfectly juicy and packed with flavor every time. Plus, the marinade is hands-off, letting you prep ahead and enjoy more time catching up with friends or relaxing while it cooks.

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Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers Recipe plays a key role in building luscious, juicy bites with a crisp, flavorful finish. Let me walk you through why they’re worth picking carefully and how they team up beautifully.

• Chicken thighs or tenders: I prefer thighs here because they stay juicy and tender, but tenders work well if you want leaner meat.
• Seasoning salt: Adds a subtle boost beyond regular salt, like Lowry’s for a well-rounded savory base.
• Mayonnaise: This might surprise you! Mayo works magic as a marinade base, keeping the chicken moist while helping spices cling.
• Grated Parmesan: The star of the show, it brings umami depth and that signature nutty parmesan flavor we all love.
• Garlic powder: Gives consistent garlicky flavor in the marinade without overpowering or burning during cooking.
• Butter: For the compound butter baste, buttery richness enhances the skewers while keeping them tender and gooey.
• Fresh garlic: Pressed or minced, it brightens the butter sauce with lively fresh garlic aroma.
• Parsley: Adds a fresh, herbaceous note to balance richness and brighten flavors.
• Chili crunch/crisp: A little spicy kick to lift the savoriness and keep things interesting.
• Lemon juice: Just a dash to add a touch of brightness and cut through the richness.

Tweak to Your Taste

One of the best things about this Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers Recipe is how easy it is to make it your own. I often adjust the heat and herbs depending on the mood or what’s in my fridge. You can totally customize it without losing the core deliciousness.

• Variation: For a smoky twist, I like adding smoked paprika to the marinade—it deepens the flavor beautifully and plays well with the garlic parmesan.
• Dietary tip: If you’re avoiding dairy, swap parmesan for nutritional yeast and use olive oil in place of butter for a tasty vegan-friendly option.
• Seasonal change: Toss in fresh rosemary or thyme when in season for an herby aroma that elevates the skewers.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers Recipe

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

Start by cutting your chicken thighs or tenders into 1-inch pieces, which helps them cook evenly. Toss them into a bowl and add seasoning salt, mayonnaise, grated parmesan, and garlic powder. I find mixing everything with my hands works best to coat every piece evenly. Cover and pop this in the fridge anywhere from 20 minutes to overnight—if you have time, the longer marinade seriously amps up the flavor.

Step 2: Prepare the Compound Butter

While the chicken marinates, mix up the flavorful butter baste. Combine softened butter, freshly minced garlic, chopped parsley, parmesan cheese, chili crunch, and lemon juice in a bowl. Press everything together with a fork to make a smooth compound butter. To loosen it up just a bit, I zap it in the microwave for about 5 seconds—perfect for easy basting later.

Step 3: Skewer the Chicken

Thread your marinated chicken pieces onto metal or wooden skewers, leaving a little space between pieces so heat can circulate. This step always feels oddly satisfying to me, like building something delicious from the ground up. Remember to soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes beforehand to prevent burning if you plan to grill.

Step 4: Cook to Perfection

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F or get your grill heated up nicely. Place 4-7 skewers at a time in the air fryer basket without crowding; overcrowding is the enemy of even cooking. Cook for 6 minutes, then flip and cook for another 3 minutes. At this point, check the chicken—once it passes 150°F internally, it’s time to baste!

Step 5: Baste and Finish Cooking

Baste the chicken with that delicious garlic parmesan butter, cooking for 1 minute before flipping to baste the other side and cooking another 30-40 seconds. Then, check doneness with a meat thermometer—it should reach 165°F. These final steps lock in moisture and turn the skewers irresistible.

Step 6: Serve Warm and Garnished

Once off the heat, I like to sprinkle extra parmesan and fresh parsley on top—makes it look as good as it tastes. Serve these skewers right away with your favorite sides for a crowd-pleasing meal that’s easy to love.

How to Serve Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers Recipe

Garnishes

I always top these skewers off with a sprinkle of freshly grated parmesan and a handful of chopped fresh parsley — it adds color and fresh flavor that complements the richness beautifully. A little lemon wedge on the side never hurts either if you want a bright pop.

Side Dishes

I like pairing these skewers with garlic roasted potatoes or a crisp green salad to keep things balanced. Sometimes I serve them with grilled veggies for a full-on summer BBQ vibe. Rice pilaf or even a creamy coleslaw also do wonders for soaking up any leftover buttery goodness.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I arrange the skewers on a wooden board surrounded by bowls of dipping sauces — think garlic aioli or spicy ranch. It’s a fun way to get people chatting and nibbling. I’ve even served them over a bed of warm couscous with lemon zest for a more elegant touch that wowed my guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover skewers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When packed properly, they maintain their flavor well. Just bring them back to room temperature before reheating to keep things juicy.

Freezing

If you want to freeze, I recommend freezing the uncooked marinated chicken pieces threaded on skewers wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil. They freeze well for up to 2 months. Thaw them overnight in the fridge before cooking for best results.

Reheating

To reheat, a quick 3-4 minutes in a hot air fryer or oven works wonders to crisp the edges back up while keeping the inside tender. Avoid microwaving when possible as it can dry the chicken out.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen because it strikes that perfect balance of quick prep, incredible flavor, and crowd-pleasing appeal. I’ve made these for busy weeknights, casual BBQs, and even last-minute gatherings—and every time, they disappear fast. I hope you’ll try it out and find it as easy and satisfying as I do. Once you give it a whirl, it might just become your favorite weeknight dinner hack too!

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