Air fryer chicken kabobs with a simple marinade and vegetables are served up on skewers for an easy-to-make meal everyone's going to love. It cooks up with crisp edges and juicy, tender insides. These air-fried chicken kabobs allow you to put together a quick weeknight dinner without slaving over a hot stove or grill.
Looking for more tasty skewer recipes to enjoy? Try my breakfast kebabs and these easy broiled lemon garlic shrimp. My sweet chili bacon wrapped shrimp are really good too.
Why You Will Love This Air Fried Chicken Kabobs Recipe
- Quick Recipe. Cook up juicy chicken and tender veggies in under 30 minutes. This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or any time you need something easy to prepare for dinner.
- Family-Friendly Meal. These air fryer chicken skewers are a kid-friendly dish the adults will enjoy too. The recipe easily adapts to accommodate personal tastes.
- Enjoy Any Time of Year. Unlike grilling outdoors, this recip means you can enjoy chicken skewers throughout the year regardless of weather conditions.
Ingredients
Here's a look at the simple ingredients needed to make air fryer chicken kabobs.
- Chicken Breasts: Use boneless and skinless to keep the prep simple. If you prefer chicken thighs you can easily use them instead.
- Sweet Bell Peppers and Zucchini: Peppers add color, sweetness, and crunch to the skewers and zucchini adds a mild, slightly sweet flavor. You can easily swap with other veggies instead such as cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, yellow squash, eggplant, or mushrooms.
- Pineapple Chunks: Adds a deliciously sweet flavor that infuses the chicken and veggies as it cooks.
- Red Onion: Red onions provide a sharp, savory flavor that compliments the sweetness of the barbecue sauce. Swap with yellow or sweet onions if you prefer.
- Olive Oil: It helps with browning the chicken and distributing the spice blend evenly over the chicken. At the same time, it also adds richness and moisture to the chicken. Try avocado, vegetable, sesame, or melted butter for a different flavor profile.
- Spices: A blend of garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, kosher salt, and black pepper makes a well-balanced seasoning for the chicken.
- Barbecue Sauce: It serves as a flavorful basting glaze while adding a sweet and tangy element to the skewers. Choose your favorite store-bought brand or make a homemade version.
- Fresh Parsley: A sprinkle just before serving adds a burst of freshness and color to the finished dish. Parsley offers a clean, slightly peppery flavor. If you're not a fan you can also use cilantro, basil, chives, or mint instead.
See the recipe card below for the full list and exact quantities of each ingredient.
Substitutions and Variations
- Switch the Seasoning: Use Old Bay seasoning, Barbecue Chicken Seasoning, or any combination of lemon zest, cumin, coriander, ginger, rosemary, oregano, or thyme for more flavor.
- Spicy: Add a bit of chili pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, our jalapeno powder, smoked jalapeno powder, or chipotle powder to the spice blend for a bit of heat. You can also serve up our homemade hot pepper sauce on the table as well.
- Change the Sauce: For a different twist, swap the barbecue sauce for teriyaki sauce, buffalo hot sauce, sweet and sour sauce, or honey mustard.
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Kabobs
This dish requires minimal prep to make. Here's a look at the main steps but be sure to review the full recipe before cooking.
- Cut the chicken breasts into 2-inch pieces and then place them in a large bowl. Add olive oil and the mixed spices to the chicken and toss to coat. Let the chicken marinate for 20-30 minutes in the fridge.
- Skewer the marinated chicken, bell peppers, zucchini slices, pineapple chunks, and red onion onto the skewers tightly together.
- Coat the skewers with barbecue sauce.
- Place the skewers in the prepared air fryer basket in a single layer leaving some space between each one.
- Air fry your chicken kebabs at 400°F for 8 minutes and then flip them over. Continue air frying for an additional 6-8 minutes until the chicken is golden brown and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
⭐️ Hint: Cut the chicken into similarly sized chunks for even cooking. Cut your chosen veggies into bite-sized pieces similar in size to the chicken pieces for even cooking.
If you love recipes like this, you may also enjoy my air fryer chicken tenders (no breading) and these air fryer buffalo chicken wings.
Give these beef kabobs in the oven a try if you enjoy recipes like this on skewers.
Storage
Refrigerator: Allow the skewers to cool completely at room temperature. Once cooled, remove the chicken from the skewers and place them into an airtight container or resealable plastic bag. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Remove the chicken and from the skewers and place them in a freezer-safe airtight container or resealable plastic bag for up to 3 months. Allow skewers to defrost in the fridge before cooking.
Reheat: Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (180°C) for a few minutes. Arrange your leftover skewers in a single layer in the fryer basket, taking care not to overcrowd them. Cook for 3-5 minutes or until the chicken is heated through and reaches a temperature of 165°F (74°C).
If you prefer using a conventional oven, preheat it to 350°F (180°C), and place the skewers on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil and cooking spray. Bake them for 10-12 minutes or until they're heated through.
Make Ahead: Prepare the skewers up to a day in advance, cover them with plastic wrap, and store them in the refrigerator. Air fry them when you are ready to serve.
What to Serve with Chicken Kabobs
- Garnish: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley, cilantro, lemon juice, or lime juice over the chicken skewers for a burst of fresh flavor.
- Enjoy as a Sandwich: Serve these easy skewers on air fryer flatbread with more BBQ sauce.
- Salad: This Broccoli Salad, Sweet Pepper Salad, or Easy Tortellini Pesto Salad go great on the side.
- Rice and Potatoes: These chicken kabobs go great with white or brown rice or this Coconut Ginger Rice. If you prefer potatoes enjoy these Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes or Parmesan Potatoes.
Tips
- Coat the Chicken and Vegetables. Make sure they are coated with oil and seasoning to keep them from sticking to the skewers and also add more flavor.
- Spray the Basket. Make sure that the air fryer basket is well sprayed or oiled before cooking to prevent sticking.
- Soak the Skewers. Wooden skewers need to soak in water for at least 10 minutes, if not 30 minutes before using them so they don't burn in the air fryer.
- Aim for Even Sized Pieces. Cut your chosen veggies into bite-sized pieces similar in size to the chicken pieces for even cooking and remember smaller pieces cook faster.
- Cook in a Single Layer. Place the chicken skewers in a single layer inside the air fryer basket for even cooking and proper air circulation. You may need to cook in batches if your air fryer is smaller.
- Flip Them. Rotate or flip the skewers halfway through the cooking time for even browning and cooking.
FAQ
You should avoid using plastic skewers in an air fryer, as they may melt or emit harmful fumes when heated. Stick to metal or wooden skewers. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes prior to using them to prevent burning or catching fire.
It is possible to cook frozen chicken skewers in an air fryer without defrosting them first. However, you should expect longer cooking times, and it's crucial to ensure the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature before consuming. You might also experience a difference in texture compared to cooking fresh chicken skewers.
If you don't have an air fryer, you can use an outdoor grill, cast iron grill pan, or you can bake the skewers in the oven. Adjust the cooking times accordingly and also keep an eye on the internal temperature of the skewers.
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More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes
Do you like air fryer chicken? Here are some recipes you may also like to try.
Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.
Easy Air Fryer Chicken Skewers
Equipment
- bamboo skewers (8 inch) metal skewers or wooden/bamboo skewers soaked in water for 30 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs chicken breasts boneless, skinless
- 2 bell peppers Orange and red peppers, cut into chunks
- 1 medium zucchini sliced
- ½ cup pineapple chunks
- 1 medium red onion cut into chunks
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup barbecue sauce
- Fresh parsley for garnish
- Cooking Spray
Instructions
- Cut the chicken breasts into 2-inch pieces and then place them in a large bowl.
- In a small bowl, mix garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, kosher salt, and black pepper to create your chicken kabobs spice blend.
- Pour olive oil and the spice blend over the chicken pieces. Mix them all, ensuring the chicken is thoroughly coated with the oil and spices.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for 20-30 minutes to let the flavors meld.
- Skewer the marinated chicken, bell peppers, zucchini slices, pineapple chunks, and red onion onto the water-soaked skewers tightly. Next, evenly coat the skewers with barbecue sauce, which will act as your basting sauce.
- Spray the air fryer basket with non-stick spray or brush with a little oil then preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
- Place the skewers in the air fryer basket in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding. Air fry your chicken kebabs at 400°F for 8 minutes, then flip the skewers. Continue air frying for an additional 6-8 minutes until the chicken is golden brown and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley, cilantro, lemon juice, or lime juice over the chicken skewers for a burst of fresh flavor.
- Serve these easy skewers as the main course, on pita bread, a Greek salad, over rice, with BBQ sauce, or alongside your favorite vegetables or side dish for a delicious and satisfying meal!
Video
Notes
- Coat the Chicken and Vegetables. Making sure they are coated with oil and seasoning to keep them from sticking to the skewers and also adding more flavor.
- Spray the Basket. Make sure that air fryer basket is well sprayed or oiled before cooking to prevent sticking.
- Soak the Skewers. Wooden skewers need to soak in water for at least 10 minutes, if not 30 minutes before using them so they don't burn in the air fryer.
- Aim for Even Sized Pieces. Cut your chosen veggies into bite-sized pieces similar in size to the chicken pieces for even cooking and remember smaller pieces cook faster.
- Cook in a Single Layer. Place the chicken skewers in a single layer inside the air fryer basket for even cooking and proper air circulation. You may need to cook in batches if your air fryer is smaller.
- Flip Them. Rotate or flip the skewers halfway through the cook time for even browning and cooking.
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