Description
Meet your new favorite chicken skewer recipe: juicy bites of chicken seasoned with ranch and smoky spices, grilled (or air-fried, or baked!) until golden, then brushed with a buttery garlic-Parmesan sauce that’s pure magic. These skewers check all the boxes—easy to prep, crowd-pleasing, and versatile enough for parties, weeknight dinners, or game-day spreads.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken Marinade:
- 2 lbs chicken tenders, thighs, or breasts (cut into 3-inch chunks)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 ½ tbsp dry ranch seasoning
- 1 tsp dried dill
- 2 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
For the Garlic Parmesan Butter:
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 8–10 cloves garlic, finely minced
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tbsp hot sauce (use more or less depending on heat preference)
- 2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- â…“ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tbsp dry ranch seasoning
- 1 tsp dried dill
- ½ tsp onion powder
Extras:
- Wooden skewers (soak in water for 30 minutes before cooking so they don’t burn)
Instructions
- Season the Chicken
- In a mixing bowl, toss the chicken pieces with olive oil, ranch seasoning, dill, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well until every piece is coated in that savory ranch-spice blend. Thread the chicken snugly onto the soaked skewers.
- Make the Sauce
- Melt the butter in a small saucepan (or the microwave if you’re keeping things simple). Stir in the garlic, Parmesan, hot sauce, red pepper flakes, parsley, ranch seasoning, dill, and onion powder. Mix until combined and fragrant. Separate into two portions: one-third for basting during cooking, and the rest for finishing.
- Cook the Skewers
- Air Fryer Method:
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
- Cook 2–3 skewers at a time for about 5 minutes.
- Flip, brush with the sauce, and cook another 2 minutes.
- Flip again, baste, and cook 5–6 more minutes, or until the chicken reaches 165°F internally.
- Finish with more garlic-Parmesan sauce and extra cheese.
- Oven Method:
- Preheat oven to 450°F and line a baking sheet with foil.
- Roast skewers for 14 minutes, flipping and basting halfway.
- Broil for 2 minutes at the end for a charred, golden finish.
- Brush with the reserved sauce and sprinkle with Parmesan before serving.
- Grill Method:
- Heat grill to medium-high.
- Cook skewers 5–6 minutes per side, brushing with sauce as they cook.
- Finish with one last drizzle of garlic butter and a dusting of Parmesan.
- Air Fryer Method:
Notes
Pro Tips for Skewer Success
- Don’t skip soaking the skewers. It prevents flare-ups on the grill and keeps them from scorching in the oven.
- Use chicken thighs for juiciness. Breasts and tenders work great, but thighs stay the most tender.
- Baste, baste, baste. The more layers of garlic butter, the more flavor-packed the chicken will be.
Serving Ideas
Pile the skewers onto a platter and finish with chopped parsley and more Parmesan. They’re incredible on their own, but also pair beautifully with:
- Garlic bread or warm pita
- A crisp side salad
- Mashed potatoes or rice
- Grilled veggies
Storage & Leftovers
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Reheat in the oven or air fryer to restore crispness.
- Leftover chicken can be pulled off the skewers and used in wraps, salads, or even tossed into pasta.
Nutrition
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg