If you want a simple, flavor-packed meal, these Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers are perfect for weeknights, meal prep, or as a crowd-pleasing appetizer. Tender chicken cooks until golden in either the air fryer or oven, then gets brushed with a creamy garlic parmesan sauce. With just four main ingredients and bold, familiar flavors, this recipe is quick to prepare and easy to scale.
Why you’ll love these skewers
- Quick and easy. Four simple ingredients and the option of an air fryer or oven make this a reliable 25-minute meal.
- Classic, bold flavor. Garlic and parmesan pair beautifully for a savory, crowd-pleasing finish without a long ingredient list.
- Very versatile. Serve as an appetizer, add to salads or wraps, toss with pasta, or include in meal prep — these skewers work for many occasions.
Ingredients
Below are the key ingredients and helpful substitution notes so you can prepare these garlic parmesan chicken skewers with confidence. For exact measurements, see the recipe card further down.
- Chicken – boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs both work. Cut into roughly 1-inch cubes for even cooking.
- Olive oil – helps the seasoning adhere and promotes browning.
- Chicken seasoning – use a simple blend of garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper, or any pre-made poultry seasoning you prefer.
- Garlic parmesan sauce – a creamy sauce made from mayonnaise, grated parmesan, olive oil, lemon juice, and seasonings. Use a store-bought parmesan garlic sauce if you prefer or make a quick homemade version.
Instructions
These step-by-step instructions make the process straightforward. The method below covers both air fryer and oven options so you can choose what works best for your kitchen.
- Cut, season, and skewer the chicken. Trim and cube the chicken into 1-inch pieces. Toss the pieces with olive oil, then coat evenly with chicken seasoning. Thread the pieces onto skewers that will fit your cooking appliance — metal or wooden skewers both work. Fit about 4 pieces per 6-inch skewer for bite-sized portions.
- Air fry the skewers. Arrange skewers in a single layer in the air fryer basket; cook at 400°F for 10 minutes. Depending on your air fryer capacity, you may need to work in batches.
- Brush and finish. Open the air fryer, flip the skewers, brush with garlic parmesan sauce, then air fry at 400°F for an additional 2 minutes. Remove and brush with remaining sauce. Optionally garnish with fresh grated parmesan and chopped parsley before serving.
Oven method: Preheat the oven to 425°F. Place skewers on a sheet pan and bake for 10 minutes. Remove, flip, brush with sauce, and return to the oven for 5 more minutes. Brush with extra sauce and serve hot.
Ways to serve it
These skewers are small and handheld, so they make excellent party appetizers. They’re also ideal for weeknight dinners: serve them atop a Caesar salad, over rice pilaf, tossed with pasta and extra garlic parmesan sauce, or alongside mashed potatoes for a comforting plate.
For lunches or casual meals, tuck the skewers into a wrap or sandwich with fresh greens and a drizzle of sauce. They’re great for meal prep because they reheat quickly — pop them in the air fryer for 1–2 minutes to warm through or enjoy cold in salads.
More chicken recipes
If you enjoy these garlic parmesan skewers, try pairing them with other easy chicken ideas such as chicken tacos, crispy baked wings, honey-chipotle chicken, or air fryer fajitas for varied weeknight menus.
Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers
These skewers are easy to make in the air fryer or oven with just four ingredients. Juicy, golden chicken pieces are finished with a creamy garlic parmesan sauce for bold, familiar flavor.
Servings: 16 skewers
Prep Time: 10 minutes • Cook Time: 12 minutes • Total Time: 22 minutes
Author: Whitney Bond
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or chicken thighs)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons chicken seasoning
- ½ cup garlic parmesan sauce
Instructions
- Cut the chicken into 1-inch pieces. Toss with olive oil and chicken seasoning. Thread the pieces tightly onto skewers so they cook evenly (about 4 pieces per 6-inch skewer).
- Place skewers in a single layer in an air fryer basket and cook at 400°F for 10 minutes. Depending on your basket size, cook in batches as needed.
- Open the air fryer, flip the skewers, and brush with garlic parmesan sauce. Air fry again at 400°F for 2 minutes.
- Remove the skewers, brush with remaining sauce, and serve immediately. Garnish with chopped parsley and additional grated parmesan if desired.
Notes
- This recipe yields about 14–16 skewers with 4 pieces of chicken per skewer. For a main course, plan 3–4 skewers per person; as an appetizer, 1–2 skewers each is usually sufficient.
- You can make a quick garlic parmesan sauce at home using mayonnaise, grated parmesan, lemon juice, olive oil, and garlic, or use a ready-made parmesan garlic sauce from the store.
- Leftovers keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat briefly in the air fryer at 400°F for 1–2 minutes for the best texture.
- Swap chicken thighs for breasts if you prefer slightly juicier meat. Adjust cook times by a minute or two if your pieces are larger than 1 inch.
Nutrition Facts (per skewer)
- Calories: 84 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Fat: 5 g (Saturated fat: 1 g)
- Cholesterol: 30 mg • Sodium: 125 mg • Potassium: 167 mg
- Fiber: 0.1 g • Sugar: 0.02 g
- Vitamin A: 47 mg • Vitamin C: 1 mg • Calcium: 27 mg • Iron: 0.4 mg
Cooking tips: Cut chicken pieces uniformly to promote even cooking, pre-soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning if using the oven, and brush sauce on at the end of cooking to maintain creaminess and prevent burning. These simple steps ensure tender, flavorful skewers every time.