Where are my dill pickle fans? If that is you, these Dill Pickle Ranch Chicken Skewers are a must-try! Juicy chicken cubes soak in dill pickle juice overnight, then seasoned and brushed with homemade dill pickle ranch dressing before being air-fried to perfection. And the best part? More dill pickle ranch is brushed on after cooking for a ‘dill’icious finishing touch! My taste testers couldn’t get enough–we had to make more! No air fryer? No problem. These chicken skewers are oven-friendly and great on the grill, too. If you are craving something with a little heat and a creamy, spicy kick, don’t miss my popular Bang Bang Chicken Skewers made with homemade Bang Bang sauce!
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Chicken: Although I prefer chicken breasts for this recipe, chicken thighs would be delicious, too! Just make sure the chicken is fully cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Dill Pickle Juice: For the most dill pickle flavor, marinate the chicken cubes in dill pickle juice overnight. We tested both marinated and non-marinated chicken, and the marinated bites were the first to be devoured by our taste testers.
- Seasonings: Before threading the marinated chicken onto the skewers, first, season it with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. This enhances the chicken with bold flavors before it is cooked.
- Dill Pickle Ranch Dressing: My homemade dill pickle ranch dressing is the secret to making these skewers extra special. Some dressing is brushed over the chicken before it is cooked. Then, more is brushed over the chicken after it has cooked. Have a little extra for dipping, too! Oh, and once you taste the dressing, you will want to use it anytime you crave a creamy dill dressing!
- Fresh Dill: Fresh dill adds a pop of color and extra flavor to the dish, making it look and taste even better. It goes really well with the tangy dill pickle ranch dressing. If you don’t have fresh dill, you can use parsley, chives, or cilantro instead. They all add their own fresh flavors to the dish. If you prefer, you can skip the garnish altogether!
Wooden vs. Metal Skewers
You can use either wooden or metal skewers to make these chicken skewers, even in the air fryer! If you’re using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning. (If they’re too long for your air fryer basket, simply break them to fit.) Metal skewers don’t need soaking, but make sure they fit in the basket before cooking.
How To Make Dill Pickle Ranch Skewers Ahead Of Time
It is easy to get a head start on these dill pickle ranch skewers. First, marinate the chicken in dill pickle juice the night before. After marinating, season and thread the chicken onto the skewers and store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before cooking. When ready to cook, just brush the chicken with the dill pickle ranch dressing and cook in the air fryer or oven. Making them ahead of time can save you time on the day you plan to serve them. Just keep them chilled in the refrigerator until you are ready to cook!
Can You Make Dill Pickle Ranch Skewers Without Marinating The Chicken?
Yes, you can make these dill pickle ranch skewers without marinating the chicken in pickle juice! While marinating adds extra flavor (and I highly recommend it!), you can skip that step if you’re short on time. Simply season the chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika, then thread it onto skewers. Brush the chicken with dill pickle ranch dressing before and after cooking to still get that delicious dill pickle flavor.
Pro Tip: If you can spare an hour, mix ½ cup of dill pickle juice with the seasonings and let the chicken marinate in the refrigerator for about an hour before cooking. That’ll give the flavor a nice boost, too!
Best Side Dishes To Serve With Dill Pickle Ranch Skewers
These dill pickle ranch skewers are fantastic on their own, but they are also versatile. Here are a few side dishes that would go well with the chicken skewers:
- Air fryer french fries
- Roasted potato wedges
- Grilled corn on the cob
- Macaroni and Cheese
- White or brown rice
- Coleslaw
How To Store & Reheat Leftover Dill Pickle Ranch Skewers
Okay, I don’t think you will have any leftovers of these skewers, but just in case, you can store them to reheat later. To store leftover Dill Pickle Ranch Chicken Skewers, first, let them cool down. Then, place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for up to 3 days. To reheat, you can use the air fryer or oven. You can also brush them with a little extra dill pickle ranch dressing (yes, please!) before reheating to keep them juicy and flavorful!
Dill Pickle Ranch Skewers
Ingredients
- 8-10 wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes
- 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 cups (16 ounces) dill pickle juice
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 cup dill pickle ranch dressing, divided, plus more for dipping
- fresh dill, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- To a large bowl, add the chicken pieces and dill pickle juice. Cover and refrigerate overnight (or at least 8 hours).
- When ready to cook, whisk together the salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika in a separate bowl. Add the marinated chicken and toss to coat the chicken evenly with the seasoning mix.
- Thread the seasoned chicken onto the soaked wooden skewers.
- Add ½ cup of dill pickle ranch dressing to a small bowl. Brush the chicken generously with the dressing. Cover and refrigerate the remaining ½ cup for brushing after cooking.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Lightly spray the basket with nonstick spray.
- Add the skewers to the basket in a single layer. (Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to work in batches.)
- Air fry for 11-12 minutes, flipping halfway. Chicken is fully cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Generously brush the cooked chicken with the reserved dill pickle ranch. Use any extra dressing for dipping.
- Garnish with fresh dill. Serve with dill pickle ranch dressing for dipping.
Notes
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Follow the instructions up to placing the chicken skewers in the air fryer. Instead, arrange the chicken skewers onto the lined baking sheet.
- Brush with dill pickle ranch dressing.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Remove from the oven. Brush more dill pickle ranch dressing over the chicken.
- Thread marinated and seasoned chicken onto the skewers.
- Brush with dill pickle ranch dressing.
- Grill over medium-high heat for 6-8 minutes per side, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Brush more dill pickle ranch dressing over the chicken.
Did you make this recipe?
You can tag me at @iamhomesteader.
What the Test Kitchen had to say about this recipe:
Autumn
I could not stop eating this chicken. I will be making these on repeat at my house!
Elizabeth
These are some of the best chicken skewers I have ever had! Wow! If you love everything dill, you will not be disappointed!
Annabelle
This is a tangy, delicious, and easy weeknight meal!
Stephanie
As someone who loves pickles, this recipe is everything! The chicken is so juicy and flavorful from marinating in pickle juice, and the dill pickle ranch just takes it to the next level.
Bella
These skewers are fantastic! The chicken stays tender from the pickle juice marinade, and the seasoning gives it just the right amount of flavor. The dill pickle ranch is the star, though! So good!
