Description
These Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers are juicy and bursting with rich garlic butter flavor, perfect for grilling or air frying. Marinated with a zesty blend of lemon juice, paprika, and garlic, then finished with a luscious Parmesan butter sauce and fresh herbs, they make a delicious and satisfying meal for any occasion.
Ingredients
Chicken Marinade
- 1-1½ lb chicken breasts or thighs, cubed
- 3 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1-2 tsp no salt added lemon pepper seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ cup lemon juice
Garlic Parmesan Butter
- 4-6 Tbsp butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tsp lemon juice (optional)
- 3 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (or fresh cilantro)
- 1 small lemon, sliced for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: In a large bowl, add cubed chicken making sure the pieces are roughly equal size for even cooking. Add olive oil, lemon juice, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, lemon pepper seasoning, and salt. Mix thoroughly until all chicken pieces are well coated. Cover with plastic wrap and marinate in the fridge for 15 minutes up to 4 hours.
- Make Garlic Butter Sauce: In a saucepan over low heat, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and let it gently simmer for about 2 minutes to infuse the butter with garlic flavor. Remove from heat and keep warm or at room temperature.
- Skewer the Chicken: Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto wooden or metal skewers evenly. Lay the skewers on a flat baking sheet while preparing the grill.
- Preheat and Grill: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, around 400°F. Place the skewers directly on the grill grates. Cook for 8-10 minutes total, turning skewers frequently to ensure even cooking and prevent burning.
- Prepare Parmesan Herb Butter: Add the grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley (or cilantro) to the cooled garlic butter and stir well.
- Baste and Finish Grilling: While grilling, let the skewers rest about 2 minutes on each side. Continuously rotate and brush the chicken generously with the garlic Parmesan butter to build rich flavor and moisture. Grill until the chicken is golden and reaches an internal temperature of 165ºF.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the skewers from the grill and let them rest briefly on a baking sheet. Brush liberally with any leftover garlic Parmesan butter and add a fresh squeeze of lemon juice before serving. Garnish with lemon slices if desired.
Notes
- For best results, soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes before grilling to prevent burning.
- Chicken thighs can be used instead of breasts for more tender and juicy skewers.
- Marinating the chicken longer than 15 minutes enhances the flavor and tenderness.
- You can cook these skewers in an air fryer at 400°F for 12-15 minutes, turning halfway through.
- Make sure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165ºF to ensure it is fully cooked and safe to eat.
- Fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro add a bright finish; feel free to experiment with your favorites.
