Lemon Pepper Chicken Skewers are easy to make cubed, seasoned chicken breasts threaded onto a wooden skewer, cooked in an air fryer, and brushed with flavored butter. I’ll also share how to make in the oven or grill for your next summer gathering! Be sure to also add my Grilled Lemon Garlic Chicken Kebabs to your list of kebab recipes.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Chicken: After testing the skewers with both chicken breasts and chicken thighs, chicken breasts were the favorite. However, some did prefer the thighs. Use what you like, but the cooking time may need to be adjusted if using chicken thighs. Try to cut the cubes as close to the same size for even cooking.
Seasonings: The seasonings will be mixed with both the oil (before cooking) and the melted butter (after cooking). The seasonings you will need are paprika, kosher salt, lemon pepper, garlic, and Cajun seasoning.
Oil: Mix the seasonings with extra virgin olive oil before cooking the chicken. Coat the chicken in the oil mixture before they are added to the air fryer.
Butter: The same seasonings (minus the salt) are added to the melted butter as were to the oil. Brush the flavored butter over the kebabs after cooking, but before serving. We left the salt out of the butter mixture because the consensus was that it made it too salty. However, you can add salt to your preference.
Wooden Skewers vs Metal Skewers
Both wooden and metal skewers can be used when making these kebabs, even in the air fryer. If using wooden skewers, be sure they are soaked in water for at least 30 minutes before using them. Soaking them in water prevents the skewers from charring during cooking. If using metal skewers, make sure they fit in the basket of your air fryer. If using wooden skewers, you can break them in half if you need to shorten them.
What To Serve With Chicken Skewers
Chicken skewers can be an appetizer or the main course. If serving them as a main dish, try adding a side dish or two to make it a complete meal. Here are some of my suggestions:
- Rice: Serve the skewers with a side of plain rice or flavored rice like cilantro rice or parmesan garlic butter rice.
- Potatoes: Add some mashed potatoes, roasted potatoes, cauliflower mashed, or baked potatoes to the table.
- Salads: You can start with a salad like a wedge salad. Or, add the chicken pieces to your lemon parmesan chicken salad. Yum!
- Grilled Vegetables: Don’t forget about the vegetables! I have roasted asparagus, green beans, carrots, and Brussels sprouts that would all be delicious.
Can I Assemble Chicken Skewers Ahead of Time?
Yes! Once you have the seasoned chicken bites on the skewers, you can store them in the refrigerator or freeze them before cooking. If stored in the refrigerator, they will last 2-3 days, covered. These can also be frozen ahead of time. To freeze, tightly wrap the chicken skewers; they will last in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to cook them, let the skewers thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
How to Store Lemon Pepper Chicken Skewers
Lemon Pepper Chicken Skewers can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer.
To Refrigerate: Store the chicken skewers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will last up to 4 days.
To Freeze: To freeze cooked chicken skewers, first, let them cool completely. Next, wrap each skewer up in aluminum foil and place it in a freezer-safe bag. They will last up to 3 months.
Lemon Pepper Chicken Skewers
Ingredients
- wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes
Chicken
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon lemon pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1 ½ teaspoons Cajun seasoning
Seasoned Butter
- ¼ cup (½ stick / 57 g) unsalted butter, melted
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon lemon pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1 ½ teaspoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon freshly chopped parsley
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the cubed chicken breasts, oil, paprika, salt, lemon pepper, garlic, and Cajun seasoning. Toss to coat the chicken evenly.
- Thread the chicken cubes onto the soaked wooden skewers, about 4-5 pieces per skewer.
- Add the skewers to the basket of your air fryer in a single layer. (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 seasoned butter.
Seasoned Butter
- In a small bowl, mix the melted butter with paprika, lemon pepper, garlic, Cajun seasoning, and chopped parsley.
- Brush the seasoned butter over the cooked chicken skewers. Serve immediately.
Video
Notes
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Coat the chicken in the oil mixture and thread each piece onto the skewers as instructed.
- Place the chicken skewers onto the lined baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Brush with seasoned butter.
- Grill the chicken skewers over medium-high heat for 8-10 minutes per side, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Brush chicken with the seasoned butter.
Did you make this recipe?
You can tag me at @iamhomesteader.
What the Test Kitchen had to say about this recipe:
Autumn
The recipe is super simple and perfect for a light dinner option! Just season the chicken, pop the skewers in the air fryer, and in just a few minutes you have perfectly cooked, juicy chicken. It's the lemon butter that we brush on at the end that really takes this to the next level though. These skewers are perfect on their own, but they would be great over a salad too!
Elizabeth
I could not stop eating the buttery lemon pepper chicken pieces, so I am definitely making these at home! It's a fun and flavorful way to serve chicken breasts, and they are even made in the air fryer (which I love)!
Bella
Yum! The lemon pepper seasoning pairs very well with the chicken! This is an easy recipe, and it is also convenient to eat.
The use of the air fryer makes these a super tasty, easy weeknight meal! The seasoning is just a few ingredients, and the end result is fantastic!
Selena
These chicken skewers are easy and delicious. With a lemon forward flavor, these are great on their own or would be delicious on a salad as well!
Made this recipe for dinner tonight, the flavor was perfect! I served the chicken with grilled veggies. Perfect for a hot summer evening, but I can see making this year round. My husband said it was better than something you’d get at a restaurant. Will be making this again for company soon! Thank you!
What did you serve them with?
Chicken in the air fryers that I have made this recipe it turned out perfect it was superb.
Anyone ever try it with pork instead of chicken?
Can’t wait to make these! Going to look at more of your videos too! Keep ’em coming! 😉💯❤️
Cooked the skewers on the grill. Oh my! Wonderful flavor.
We always use a thermometer when cooking chicken and so glad we did. My hubby (the grill meister!) was balking at the “6-8 minutes per side” instructions. Maybe our grill runs very hot. Regardless, it only took 7 minutes total to reach 165 degrees. Chicken was moist, cooked perfectly and, most importantly, had the BEST flavor. Even the 11 and 12 year olds (who dislike everything) had 2 helpings. Thanks so much for such a flavorful recipe that can be put together in a flash but tastes like it took much longer. Excellent
I like your food recipes.
simple easy even a man can make