Description
These Air Fryer Chicken Skewers with BBQ Sauce offer a quick and flavorful way to enjoy tender, juicy chicken with a smoky, caramelized BBQ glaze. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or casual gathering, this recipe uses an air fryer to create crispy edges without deep frying, making it a healthier and convenient option.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 12 ounces boneless skinless chicken thighs
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons BBQ seasoning
- Kosher salt to taste
- Ground black pepper to taste
For Cooking and Serving
- Olive oil spray
- ⅓ cup BBQ sauce
- Chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Cut boneless chicken thighs into bite-sized chunks, approximately 1 to 1.5-inch pieces for even cooking and easy handling.
- Skewer the Chicken: Thread the chicken pieces onto skewers, placing about 4 pieces per skewer to ensure balanced cooking.
- Season the Skewers: Generously sprinkle kosher salt, ground black pepper, garlic powder, and BBQ seasoning over the chicken skewers, coating all sides evenly.
- Marinate: Place the seasoned skewers in the refrigerator and let them marinate for at least 30 minutes up to an hour to enhance flavor penetration.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 370°F (188°C) to prepare for cooking.
- Prepare to Cook: Lightly spray the air fryer tray with olive oil to prevent sticking. Arrange the skewers evenly on the tray without overcrowding.
- Cook and Glaze: Insert the tray into the air fryer’s middle compartment. Cook for a total of 20 minutes, removing the tray at 7 minutes to brush the chicken with BBQ sauce and flip the skewers. Brush and turn again after 5 minutes, and one final time for the last 5 minutes to build a rich, caramelized glaze.
- Serve: Once cooked through and nicely caramelized, remove the skewers from the air fryer. Optionally garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve immediately for optimal taste and texture.
Notes
- For best results, use fresh chicken thighs and ensure they are cut evenly for uniform cooking.
- Adjust seasoning according to taste; additional BBQ seasoning can be sprinkled after cooking if desired.
- Soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes prior to cooking to prevent burning, if using wooden skewers.
- Ensure not to overcrowd the air fryer tray to allow proper air circulation and even cooking.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.