Skewered Bliss: Garlic Parmesan Chicken That’ll Steal the Show

Ever get that craving for something super tasty, but also kinda fancy? Like, you want it to look cute but not be a million steps? Yep, me too! So, I whipped up these Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers, and let me tell you… they’re a game-changer.

Main dish photo — *The finished dish — looks amazing, right?*

Okay, so here’s the deal. You’re gonna need a few things to make this magic happen. Picture us in the grocery store, right?

Okay, Let’s Talk Ingredients

– 2 lbs chicken tenders, thighs, or breast (I like thighs for the juiciness, but do you, boo!)
– 2 tbsp olive oil (Extra virgin if you wanna feel fancy)
– 1 stick butter (Because butter makes everything better, duh)
– 8-10 cloves garlic, minced (More if you’re feeling wild)
– 1/2 cup parmesan, grated (The real stuff, please!)
– 1 tbsp hot sauce (I mean, it’s kinda essential—heat it up!)
– 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes (Spice it up, my friend)
– 1/3 cup fresh parsley, minced (For that fresh vibe)
– 2 teaspoons paprika (Color and flavor, heck yes!)
– 1 teaspoon garlic powder (Can’t have too much garlic, right?)
– 1 teaspoon onion powder (For that all-around flavor)
– 1/2 teaspoon salt (Just a pinch)
– 1/2 teaspoon pepper (Or more if you like the kick!)

So Here’s Why I Make This Constantly

Alright, story time! So, last summer, I had this impromptu backyard BBQ—like, one minute I’m chilling on the couch, and the next, I’m texting everyone to come over in 30 minutes. Chaos. I looked in the fridge and saw chicken, garlic, and cheese. I basically threw these skewers together, and my friends went nuts! They were gone in minutes. We ended up having a chicken skewer contest (I won, obviously). Ever since then, it’s been my go-to recipe for ANY gathering. Like, why serve boring old wings when you can have these beauties?

Another beautiful angle of the dish — *Just as gorgeous from this angle too!*

The One Trick That Changes Everything

Okay, listen up! The key here is to pack your chicken onto the skewers TIGHT. Like, no gaps—zero. This ensures they cook perfectly and stay juicy. I learned the hard way (sigh) when I left too much space last time and ended up with dry chicken. NOT FUN.

Don’t Mess This Up (My Top Tips)

1. Soak your wooden skewers for at least 30 minutes! Seriously, do NOT skip this step or they’ll burn.
2. Use a meat thermometer — it’s a lifesaver! 165°F is the magic number.
3. Baste, baste, baste! Don’t skimp on the garlic butter sauce. It’s what dreams are made of.
4. Don’t crowd the air fryer. Cook in batches if you gotta. No one likes soggy skewers.

How to Keep Them From Disappearing (Or, How to Store Them)

If, by some miracle, you have leftovers (not likely, but still!), just pop them in an airtight container in the fridge. They should be good for about 3 days! Reheat in the air fryer or oven to bring back that crispy goodness.

If You Liked This, You’ll Probably Like These Too

– Buffalo Cauliflower Bites — ’cause sometimes you need a veggie that gives you a kick.
– BBQ Chicken Sliders — perfect for when you wanna feel like a BBQ rockstar.
– Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta — for when you’re feeling extra fancy but don’t wanna try too hard.

So, do you think you’ll give these skewers a shot? I promise they’ll impress everyone, even those picky eaters! Let me know how it goes!

Happy cooking! 🧄🍗✨

Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers

Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers are the perfect blend of tender, juicy chicken and rich, savory flavors. Marinated in a homemade garlic parmesan sauce and cooked to perfection in an air fryer, these skewers are ideal for any occasion—whether as an appetizer or served over rice with veggies. Enjoy the delicious taste of garlic and cheese with each bite!

Author: XXXXX
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: Serves 6 (6 skewers) 1x
Category: Appetizer, Main Course
Method: Frying
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

2 lbs chicken tenders, thighs, or breast
2 tbsp olive oil
1 stick butter (1/2 cup)
8–10 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 tbsp hot sauce (or more to taste)
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

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes. In a bowl, mix olive oil and spices; coat chicken pieces well.
Skewer the chicken tightly together. For air fryer fit, trim excess skewer length if needed.
In a microwave-safe bowl, melt butter with minced garlic. Stir in red pepper flakes, hot sauce, parsley, and parmesan until combined. Reserve one-third for later.
Cook skewers in the air fryer at 400°F for 5 minutes. Flip and baste with reserved sauce; cook an additional 2 minutes.
Flip again, baste with more sauce, and cook for another 5-6 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Serve with a final basting of sauce and extra parmesan.