Try these delicious Honey Garlic Chicken Skewers: juicy marinated chicken, air-fried to perfection, and brushed with honey garlic butter! These skewers are not only packed with flavor but quick to prepare, too. Serve them as an appetizer or a main dish, either way, they are sure to impress! Plus, I have also included oven and grilling instructions. Check out my Bang Bang Chicken Skewers, too!
Skewer Ingredients & Smart Substitutions
- Chicken: I prefer to use boneless, skinless chicken breasts. But, boneless, skinless chicken thighs would work as well. When cutting up the chicken, try to cut each piece close to the same size. This will help the chicken cook evenly. Chicken is fully cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Marinade: The marinade is a blend of vegetable oil, parmesan cheese, lemon juice, honey, garlic, and spices. It is a little bit tangy, a little bit sweet, and has a subtle kick from red pepper flakes.
- Spices: The spices in the marinade are paprika, garlic powder, dried oregano, salt, crushed red pepper, and ground black pepper.
- Crushed Red Pepper: Crushed red pepper, also called crushed red pepper flakes, gives a little heat to the marinade. You could leave those out if preferred. (I would actually add more!)
- Honey Garlic Butter: The honey garlic butter is a blend of melted butter, parmesan cheese, honey, garlic, and fresh parsley.
Wooden Skewers vs Metal Skewers
Even using the air fryer, you can use wooden or metal skewers. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent charring during cooking. For metal skewers, ensure they fit into the basket of your air fryer. To shorten wooden skewers, you can break them in half.
What To Serve With Honey Garlic Chicken Skewers
These skewers would be delicious as an appetizer or as a main course. They are easy to put together, so keep this recipe handy for those busy nights! Here are some ideas to serve with the skewers:
- Steamed rice, fried rice, or seasoned rice
- Roasted asparagus
- Roasted Brussels sprouts
- Grilled corn on the cob
- Roasted Potatoes
- Ciabatta bread
How To Store Honey Garlic Chicken Skewers
To store leftovers, let the chicken skewers cool off. If you like, take the chicken off the skewers to save room when storing. Put the chicken in a sealed container in the refrigerator. It will stay good for 3-4 days. (I like to add the pieces of chicken to a salad.) When you’re ready to eat it again, warm it up in the microwave or oven.
Honey Garlic Chicken Skewers
Ingredients
- 16 wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes
Marinade
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- ½ cup (109 g) vegetable oil
- ½ cup (50 g) parmesan cheese, finely grated
- 1 large lemon, juiced (about ¼ cup juice)
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Honey Garlic Butter
- ¼ cup (½ stick / 57 g) unsalted butter
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons honey
- ¼ cup (50 g) parmesan cheese, finely grated
- 2 teaspoons parsley, chopped
Instructions
- To a large bowl, add chicken, oil, parmesan cheese, lemon juice, honey, garlic, paprika, garlic powder, oregano, salt, red pepper, and black pepper. Stir to coat chicken pieces well. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or up to overnight.
- When the chicken is ready, working one skewer at a time, thread 4-5 chicken cubes onto each.
- Add the skewers to the basket of your air fryer in a single layer. (You may need to cut or break the wooden skewers to fit inside the air fryer basket.) Depending on the size of the air fryer, you may have to work in batches.
- Air fry at 400°F for 11-12 minutes, flipping halfway. Chicken is fully cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- While the chicken is cooking, make the honey garlic butter. In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, melt butter. Once melted, add garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Remove the pan from heat and add honey, parmesan, and parsley. Stir to combine.
- Brush the cooked chicken skewers with the honey garlic butter and serve.
Notes
- Oven:
1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. - Place the seasoned cubes of chicken onto the skewers, then onto the lined baking sheet.
- Cook the chicken skewers for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Remove from the oven. Brush with the garlic butter and serve.
- Thread the seasoned chicken onto the skewers.
- Grill over medium-high heat for 8-10 minutes per side, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Brush the grilled chicken with the garlic butter and serve.
Did you make this recipe?
You can tag me at @iamhomesteader.
What the Test Kitchen had to say about this recipe:
Autumn
These honey garlic chicken skewers made in the air fryer were incredible! The marinade caramelized beautifully, and the chicken was so juicy. Perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
Elizabeth
I love how easy these skewers are to make. And, the honey garlic butter was very garlicky, which I loved!
Annabelle
The chicken was perfectly cooked–juicy and flavorful. Plus, the air fryer gave them a nice crispy coating
Bella
Loved these chicken skewers. I liked the hint of sweetness in the marinade.
Selena
These honey garlic chicken skewers were fantastic! The marinade was flavorful, and the chicken came out juicy and tender. Loved the crispy exterior.
