Bite into the taste of sunshine with these juicy, tender, bright, and savory Lemon Butter Air Fryer Chicken Skewers. Whether you’re looking for an easy weeknight dish the entire family will love or a fun party-perfect recipe to entertain with, these quick-cooking chicken kabobs will become an instant favorite.
Bursting with the bright flavors of lemon juice and zest and accented with the bold kick of Cajun seasoning, these chicken skewers will instantly have you craving another bite. Based on a tangy and bright butter sauce, this chicken thigh recipe only requires a few simple ingredients, which many of you probably already have on hand. Serve these alongside a grinder salad or over gluten-free pasta bathed in extra lemon butter sauce.
Why you will love this recipe
- Easy Process - There is nothing complicated about the steps to making these air fryer chicken skewers. After getting coated in seasonings and skewered they are quickly cooked in the air fryer. This entire dish comes together in less than 30 minutes.
- Accessible Ingredients - Besides boneless and skinless chicken thighs the rest of the ingredients are pantry staples you most likely have. It’s easy to shop for and budget-friendly.
- Meal Prep - While these chicken skewers make a great meal you can also use them as part of your meal prep. Feel free to serve this juicy chicken atop a salad or as part of a bowl.
- Balance of Flavors - The tartness of the lemon is balanced by the addition of a little brown sugar. It’s tangy without being overpowering.
Ingredients
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs - These are rich and meaty while being lean and packed with protein. They remain tender and juicy without drying out.
- Salt
- Cajun Seasoning - This is used to season the chicken as well as added to the lemon butter sauce. Use your favorite blend. Most contain a little cayenne for heat, citrusy thyme, and savory components like onion and garlic powder.
- Onion Powder - Adds delicate, mild onion flavor without overpowering the chicken or sauce.
- Garlic Powder - Used to both season the chicken and add a bright, sharp savory element to the lemon butter sauce. It enhances the flavor of the garlic and garlic olive oil.
- Paprika - Gives delicate sweetness, earthiness, and color to the chicken.
- Black Pepper
- Garlic - Gives a sharp, pungent element while pairing well with the bright lemon.
- Lemon Zest - The zest brings brightness to the seasoning on the chicken. The oils in the zest complement the lemon juice.
- Garlic Olive Oil - Costabile Extra Virgin Olive Oil with Garlic is 100% organic. It’s non-GMO and free of additives. (use code 15GOLDENGK for 15% off)
- Lemon Olive Oil - Costabile Extra Virgin Olive Oil with Lemon is 100% organic and free of additives. It enhances the natural lemon flavors of the lemon juice and zest. (use code 15GOLDENGK for 15% off)
- Butter - The base for the sauce, adds instant richness.
- Brown Sugar - Balances the tart tang of the lemon juice and gives the sauce depth.
- Lemon Juice - Adds sunny brightness that will have you licking your fingers.
Instructions
- If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes.
- Dice your chicken into even-sized cubes and place them into a bowl.
- Add all of the dried seasonings to the bowl along with garlic, lemon zest, and olive oil. Toss until the chicken is fully and evenly coated.
- Skewer your chicken.
- Place the chicken skewers into the air fryer, careful not to overstuff them. You don’t want them piled up on each other.
- Allow the chicken skewers to cook at 400 °F for 18-20 minutes, flipping halfway through. They should be 165 °F when done.
- While the chicken is cooking make your lemon butter sauce. Melt ⅓ of the butter and mix it with the lemon juice, brown sugar, and all of the dry seasonings. Add the remaining butter and use a fork to mash the mixture together. There should only be small lumps.
- Once your air fryer chicken skewers are done use a pastry or silicone brush to baste the lemon butter onto the chicken.
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Bamboo or metal skewers
- Tongs
- Mixing bowls
- Pastry Brush
Storage
These lemon butter air fryer chicken skewers make great leftovers! Transfer them to an airtight container and keep them refrigerated. They will keep for up to five days. You can reheat them briefly in the air fryer or in the microwave until just warmed through.
Top tips
- Whenever using bamboo skewers, always take the time to soak them in water. You can even add a little kosher salt to your water. This will slightly season the meat from the inside while adding another layer of protection from getting scorched.
- Always make sure that you zest your lemon first before slicing it to juice it. It’s easier to zest this way.
- When possible, buy organic citrus for zesting. Most citrus sold in the grocery store has a wax coating on the outside to protect it during travel and at the store while on display. While it is completely food safe to eat, organic citrus doesn’t have this coating.
- Be careful not to overcrowd the tray of the air fryer. This will prevent the skewers from cooking evenly and will cause some of them to steak instead of brown.
FAQ
Do I have to cook these lemon butter chicken skewers in the air fryer?
No. You can make this same recipe for chicken skewers on the grill, or in a grill pan. Flip them every 3-4 minutes until all sides are lightly charred and the internal temperature is 165 F.
Substitutions for air fryer chicken skewers
You can make this same recipe for lemon butter air fryer chicken skewers with boneless, skinless chicken breast. Because the chicken breast is a leaner cut, it will cook slightly faster. Cook it to an internal temperature of 165 °F.
You can use your favorite olive oil as a substitute for the garlic and lemon olive oils. You won’t have quite as much depth of flavor but it will still be delicious!
Variations
Love things spicy? Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes to the lemon butter sauce for a little additional kick. You could also give a shake or two of hot sauce.
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📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Chicken Skewers
Equipment
- Bamboo skewers or metal ones
- Tongs
Ingredients
- 8 boneless/skinless springer mountain farms chicken thighs
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- zest of 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon garlic olive oil (or any olive oil) - use code 15GOLDENGK for 15% off
- ½ tablespoon lemon olive oil (or any olive oil) - use code 15GOLDENGK for 15% off
- 8 skewers
Sauce
- 1 stick of butter
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¾ teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes.
- Dice your chicken into even sized cubes and place them into a bowl.
- Add all of the dried seasonings to the bowl along with garlic, lemon zest, and olive oil. Toss until the chicken is fully and evenly coated.
- Skewer your chicken.
- Place the chicken skewers into the air fryer, careful not to over stuff it. You don’t want them piled up on each other.
- Allow the chicken skewers to cook at 400 °F for 18-20 minutes, flipping halfway through. They should be 165 °F when done.
- While the chicken is cooking make your lemon butter sauce. Melt ⅓ of the butter and mix it with the lemon juice, brown sugar, and all of the dry seasonings. Add the remaining butter and use a fork to mash the mixture together. There should only be small lumps.
- Once your chicken is done use a pastry or silicone brush to baste the lemon butter onto the chicken.
Notes
- Whenever using bamboo skewers, always take the time to soak them in water. You can even add a little kosher salt to your water. This will slightly season the meat from the inside while adding another layer of protection from getting scorched.
- Always make sure that you zest your lemon first before slicing it to juice it. It’s easier to zest this way.
- When possible, buy organic citrus for zesting. Most citrus sold in the grocery store has a wax coating on the outside to protect it during travel and at the store while on display. While it is completely food safe to eat, organic citrus doesn’t have this coating.
- Be careful not to overcrowd the tray of the air fryer. This will prevent the skewers from cooking evenly and will cause some of them to steak instead of brown.
carmy says
These air-fried chicken skewers are so tasty! I love how easy they are to make, and the seasoning is spot on. They're perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
Swathi says
Air fryer chicken skewers is perfect taste. I can make this again.
Ashley says
Wow! This was such an amazing (and EASY) recipe--perfect for busy weeknights. I love the Cajun butter sauce too-I bet it'll be just as delicious on shrimp.
Juyali says
Oh my goodness, that sauce! My husband doesn't care for cajun seasoning, and he loved this sauce. The recipe was easy to make. I'll add this one to my recipe rotation. 🙂