If you’re ready to impress at your next gathering or just want an easy weeknight dinner that feels extra special, these Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers are a must-try! Juicy chicken tenders are packed onto skewers and basted in the most irresistible garlic parmesan butter sauce for a dish that’s unbelievably tender, flavorful, and totally unforgettable.

This post will show you exactly how to make these air-fried Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers — and trust me, they’ll become one of your favorite chicken recipes!

Why You’ll Love These Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers

After the huge success of my Hot Lemon Pepper Chicken Skewers on social media, I had to bring you another knockout flavor! These garlic parmesan skewers follow the same easy, fail-proof method but are smothered in a buttery, cheesy, garlicky sauce you’ll want to put on everything.

Best of all, you can make these skewers in the air fryer (like I did for the photos), bake them in the oven, or grill them outdoors — super versatile!

Serve them as a crowd-pleasing party appetizer, or pair them with warm rice and a drizzle of extra garlic-parm butter for a satisfying, restaurant-quality meal at home.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what goes into making the juiciest garlic parmesan chicken skewers:

Chicken tenders (or chicken breasts or thighs) – Tenders stay super moist and juicy.
Olive oil – Helps the seasoning stick.

Butter – One full stick for a rich and savory sauce.
Garlic – Lots of it! (8–10 cloves, minced)
Parmesan cheese – Freshly grated works best.

Hot sauce – Just a splash for a subtle kick.
Seasonings – Paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
Fresh parsley – Adds a fresh, herbaceous finish.

Wooden skewers – Don’t forget to soak them first if you’re air frying or grilling!

How to Make Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers

1. Prep the Skewers

Soak your wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning.
Mix together your spice blend in a small bowl.

Cut the chicken into 3-inch pieces and toss them with olive oil and the seasoning mix until well coated.

2. Skewer the Chicken

Thread the chicken pieces tightly onto each skewer without gaps — this keeps the chicken extra juicy while cooking.
If needed, trim the tops of the skewers to fit your air fryer basket.

3. Make the Garlic Parmesan Butter Sauce

In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the butter and stir in the minced garlic, red pepper flakes, hot sauce, fresh parsley, and parmesan.
Scoop out about 1/3 of the sauce into a separate bowl — this will be your basting sauce. Reserve the rest for after the chicken is fully cooked to avoid cross-contamination.

4. Cook the Skewers

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.

Cook 2–3 skewers at a time for 5 minutes. Flip the skewers, baste with the garlic parmesan sauce, and cook for another 2 minutes.
Flip again, baste, and continue cooking for another 5–6 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Total cook time will be about 12–14 minutes, depending on your air fryer.
After cooking, give the skewers one final brush of the reserved garlic butter sauce and a sprinkle of extra parmesan.

Oven and Grill Instructions

Oven Method:

Preheat your oven to 450°F.
Line a baking sheet with foil and arrange the skewers in a single layer.

Bake for 14 minutes, flipping and basting halfway through.
Switch the oven to broil for 2–3 minutes to brown the tops.
Brush with reserved garlic parmesan sauce and serve.

Grill Method:

Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
Grill the skewers for 5–6 minutes per side, basting with garlic butter as they cook.

Finish with a final basting and sprinkle of parmesan before serving.

Tips for the Best Chicken Skewers

Tightly pack the skewers to help the chicken stay moist.
Use freshly grated parmesan for the best melt and flavor.

Don’t skip the final basting! It locks in that buttery, garlicky flavor.
Pair with rice and drizzle extra garlic butter over it for a complete, mouthwatering meal.

Recommended Tools

Air Fryer-Sized Metal Skewers – Easy to fit inside and reusable.

Stainless Steel Air Fryer – BPA-free and perfect for batch cooking.