Name: Chicken Skewers
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound room temperature salted butter.; 5 garlic cloves, shredded.; ½ cup freshly shredded parmesan cheese.; 1 lemon, grated peel and squeezed juice.; 1 teaspoon salt.; 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes.; ¼ cup minced fresh parsley.; 3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, sliced into 2-inch pieces.; 2 teaspoons salt.; ½ teaspoon ground black pepper.

A close-up view of grilled chicken skewers garnished with herbs and lemon wedges on a plate. | emilyscooks.com

Our family reaches for this dish whenever we want something extra tasty. These Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers always grab attention with their tempting smell and golden crust. I stick with chicken thighs because they stay super moist while getting crispy outside. Your home will smell wonderful, I promise.

The Winning Touch

I've whipped these skewers up tons of times and they always hit the mark. What makes them so good is that buttery garlic parmesan coating that makes every bite taste amazing. They come together quickly on busy nights but still look fancy when friends drop by.

What You'll Need

Chicken Thighs: 2 pounds boneless skinless ones since they make the most tender skewers
Skewers: I've got wooden and metal ones handy use whatever fits your cooking style
Butter: 1/2 cup melted because it brings everything together
Garlic: 4 fresh cloves minced I always go heavy here
Parmesan: 1/2 cup fresh grated it really changes the game
Lemon: Zest and juice from 1 fresh one adds that zip
Red Pepper Flakes: Just 1/4 teaspoon for a mild kick
Salt and Pepper: Add to match your preference

Simple Steps

Making Your Flavor Base: Melt your butter in a dish I usually do quick 30 second shots in the microwave. Stir in the minced garlic fresh grated parmesan lemon zest and juice with those pepper flakes if you want that kick.
Getting Your Meat Ready: Slice chicken into chunky bits about 1.5 inches each. Slide them onto skewers keeping small gaps so they cook through. Sprinkle well with salt and pepper.
Cooking Method: For air fryer fans go with 350°F. Coat skewers well with your butter mix then cook around 15 minutes. I like adding more sauce every 5 minutes. If you're using your oven heat to 425°F and cook roughly 18 minutes flipping and saucing every 6 minutes.
Last Little Touches: When they're done pour any extra sauce on top add some fresh parmesan shavings and squeeze those lemon wedges alongside.

Grilled chicken skewers garnished with parsley and served with lemon wedges in a black skillet. | emilyscooks.com

Quick Tips

My children don't love spicy food so I usually leave out those pepper flakes. I think the air fryer gets them crispiest but they turn out great in the oven too. Sometimes I don't even bother with skewers and just make little bites cutting back on cooking time a bit.

Great Side Pairings

These skewers work with so many different sides. We often have them with soft quinoa or those tiny pearl couscous. A fresh green salad keeps everything balanced. They're awesome for packed lunches too just toss them in containers with some roasted veggies.

Storing Extras

Store any leftover pieces in a sealed container they'll stay good in your fridge about 4 days. For quick reheating just use the microwave. But when you've got a minute more try the air fryer at 350°F for 4-5 minutes to bring back that crispy outside.

Cooking Method Advice

I really love using my air fryer for these it makes them super crispy. Don't worry if you're sticking with your oven just remember to flip and add more sauce as they cook. Both ways turn out fantastic the meat stays juicy and that garlic cheese flavor can't be beat.

Skewer Know-How

When cooking inside you don't need to soak wooden skewers they might darken a bit but that's okay. If you're cooking on the grill soak those wooden ones for about 30 minutes first. I actually keep metal ones around too they're perfect if you make these often.

Grilled chicken skewers coated in a golden-brown seasoning, sprinkled with parsley and cheese, served on a wooden platter alongside lemon wedges. | emilyscooks.com

Crowd-Pleasing Bites

These skewers vanish quickly at our family get-togethers. They're spot on for sports viewing or yard parties. Folks love eating from sticks and that garlic cheese combo always wows everyone. They're super easy to grab while chatting with guests too.

Health-Conscious Choice

When I'm cutting down on carbs these skewers come in handy. They naturally fit keto plans with lots of protein and healthy fats. I'll pair them with riced cauliflower or a big avocado salad for a filling low-carb dinner that keeps hunger away.

Fancy Upgrades

I'll mix fresh herbs into my butter sauce sometimes thyme and parsley work wonders. A sprinkle of smoked paprika adds nice depth. For special occasions a tiny bit of truffle oil drizzled at the end makes them worthy of any restaurant menu.

Family-Friendly Option

My kids wolf these down when I make them without the hot stuff naturally. Putting out some dips makes mealtime more enjoyable. They love dunking them in ranch or honey mustard it's a clever way to get them pumped about dinner.

Round Out Your Dinner

These skewers match up with all kinds of sides. Some evenings I'll serve them with herby couscous other nights with smooth mashed potatoes. A cool cucumber salad brings nice contrast. The garlic cheese flavors really match anything you'd like.

A plate of grilled chicken skewers garnished with herbs and sprinkled with cheese, accompanied by lemon slices. | emilyscooks.com

Workday Lunch Star

Sunday cooking gets way easier with these in mind. I'll cook lots portion them out with some steamed veggies or quinoa and boom amazing work lunches all week. They warm up great and always brighten my day at the office.

Outdoor Cooking Tips

In warmer months I take these outside. Grilling adds amazing smoky flavor. Keep brushing that garlic cheese butter as they cook. I use cooler spots on the grill to stop them from burning while staying perfectly juicy inside.

Bonus Sauce Uses

That garlic cheese butter mix is pure magic. When I've got extra I store it in the fridge. It tastes amazing on warm bread works wonders on baked potatoes and jazzes up any veggie dish. It stays fresh about a week if it doesn't get used up first.

Try Different Citrus

I sometimes swap the lemon for orange or lime instead. Each brings its own character to the dish. Orange adds gentle sweetness while lime gives a tangy pop. It's such a simple way to create totally new flavors.

Must-Try Creation

These skewers have become my go-to dish for good reason. They work for basic weeknight meals but still feel special for celebrations. The mix of juicy chicken and that amazing garlic cheese coating just delivers every single time.

Grilled chicken skewers garnished with parsley and lemon wedges on a dark plate. | emilyscooks.com

Common Questions

→ Can I swap chicken breast for thighs?: Sure, chicken breast works too, but you might need to tweak cooking time. We like thighs better since they turn out more moist and flavorful.
→ Why does my butter sauce get hard?: The butter mix hardens when it gets cold because of the fat in it. Don't worry - it's totally normal and won't mess up how your dish tastes or feels.
→ Can I cook these without an air fryer?: For sure, you can pop them on the grill or in your oven. Just make sure to change how long and hot you cook them so the chicken gets done all the way.
→ Should I soak my wooden skewers?: For air fryer cooking, you don't need to soak wooden skewers. If you're grilling instead, let them sit in water for 30 minutes so they don't catch fire.
→ Can I make the butter sauce early?: You bet! The garlic parmesan butter sauce keeps well for up to 3 days in the fridge. Just let it soften before you use it.

Mouthwatering Garlic Chicken Skewers