Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers (Printable)
Tender chicken marinated in garlic and herbs, coated with Parmesan crust, air-fried until crispy and golden.
# Ingredient List:
→ Chicken
01 - 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes
→ Marinade
02 - 3 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice
04 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs or oregano-basil blend
06 - 1 teaspoon salt
07 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
→ Coating
08 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
09 - 1/3 cup panko breadcrumbs (gluten-free if desired)
10 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley plus extra for garnish
11 - Zest of 1 lemon
→ Serving
12 - Lemon wedges
# Steps:
01 - Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, Italian herbs, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl until fully combined.
02 - Add chicken cubes to the marinade, tossing thoroughly to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes for optimal flavor development.
03 - Combine grated Parmesan, panko breadcrumbs, chopped parsley, and lemon zest in a shallow bowl, mixing evenly.
04 - Thread marinated chicken pieces onto skewers. Roll each skewer in the Parmesan-breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure coating adheres evenly.
05 - Preheat air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes before cooking.
06 - Place skewers in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
07 - Cook for 12-15 minutes, turning skewers once halfway through cooking time. Chicken is done when golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
08 - Transfer skewers to a serving plate, garnish with additional fresh parsley and lemon wedges. Serve immediately while hot.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The garlic Parmesan crust gets impossibly crispy without any deep frying mess
- Everything comes together in 30 minutes but tastes like you spent all afternoon cooking
02 -
- Skip the long marinating time if you are in a rush because even 10 minutes makes a difference
- Soak wooden skewers for 30 minutes beforehand unless you want them to burn in the air fryer
03 -
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer or you will end up steaming instead of crisping
- Use the finest grate on your Parmesan for the best crunch factor