Description
Savor the flavorful and juicy Chicken Skewer Kabobs made effortlessly in the air fryer. Tender boneless skinless chicken thighs are seasoned with a zesty dry rub, marinated, and basted with smoky BBQ sauce for a perfect balance of taste and texture. This quick and easy recipe yields delicious BBQ chicken kabobs with a crispy outside and moist inside, ideal for a weeknight dinner or casual gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Skewers
- 12 ounces boneless skinless chicken thighs
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons BBQ seasoning
- Kosher salt to taste
- Ground black pepper to taste
- Olive oil spray
- ⅓ cup BBQ sauce
Garnish
- Chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Cut boneless chicken thighs into bite-sized chunks, approximately 1 to 1.5-inch pieces for even cooking.
- Thread onto Skewers: Thread the chicken pieces onto skewers, aiming for about 4 pieces per skewer to ensure balanced cooking and easy handling.
- Season the Chicken: Sprinkle salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and BBQ seasoning generously over the skewered chicken to evenly coat all pieces.
- Marinate: Place the dry-rubbed chicken skewers in the refrigerator and let them marinate for at least 30 minutes up to an hour to allow the flavors to permeate.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 370°F (188°C), preparing it for optimal cooking conditions.
- Place Skewers in Air Fryer: Lightly spray the Air Fryer tray with olive oil, then arrange the chicken skewers evenly on the tray without overcrowding.
- Cook and Basque Skewers: Insert the tray into the air fryer’s middle cooking chamber. Cook for 20 minutes total, removing the tray after 7 minutes to brush the chicken with BBQ sauce and flip the skewers. Repeat brushing and turning after 5 minutes and again for the last 5 minutes to build a rich glaze.
- Finish and Serve: Once cooked through and nicely caramelized, remove the skewers and optionally garnish with chopped fresh parsley. Serve immediately for best taste and texture.
Notes
- Use bamboo skewers soaked in cold water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning during cooking.
- Not all air fryers cook the same; monitor the first cooking session closely.
- Use the thickest parts of the chicken thighs for juicier results.
- Marinate the chicken for 30 minutes to 1 hour for best flavor absorption.
- After marinating, let the chicken sit at room temperature for 10 minutes to ensure even cooking.
- 8-inch BBQ skewers fit perfectly in the Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven tray.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 4 ounces chicken)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
