There’s nothing quite like the aroma of garlic and parmesan mingling through tender chicken cooked just right on skewers. This Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers Recipe delivers a perfect balance of buttery garlic goodness and cheesy richness that makes weeknight dinners feel special.

The image shows several skewers of grilled chicken pieces placed on a white plate. The chicken is golden brown with darker char marks, giving it a crispy texture. It is sprinkled with green herbs and red chili flakes, adding color and texture. On top of the skewers, there are two lemon wedges placed near the center, adding a bright yellow contrast. The plate rests on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This recipe is one I keep coming back to, especially when I want something comforting yet fresh and flavorful. It’s simple to make, but feels like a treat — perfect for sharing with friends or sneaking a few skewers all for yourself.

Flavor packed: The combination of garlic, parmesan, and a touch of lemon creates a bright, savory punch that never gets old.
Perfectly juicy chicken: Using thighs keeps the meat tender and moist, avoiding dryness common in chicken breast recipes.
Easy to customize: You can add your favorite herbs or spice it up by tweaking the red pepper flakes to your heat preference.
Quick to cook: With an air fryer, you’re looking at just 15 minutes — great for a fast dinner without sacrificing flavor.

A round white plate holds eight wooden skewers with grilled chicken pieces, each skewer layered with several browned, slightly charred chunks of chicken that have a golden yellow and light brown color from the spices and grilling. The chicken is sprinkled with small green herb bits and white grated cheese. Two bright yellow lemon wedges sit on the top left side of the plate. The plate is set on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient here plays an important role in building the layers of flavor that make this Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers Recipe shine. Plus, the ingredients are easy to find and pantry-friendly — a real win for last-minute dinners.

Flat lay of a small mound of softened salted butter, five peeled garlic cloves, a small white bowl filled with finely grated parmesan cheese, a whole lemon cut in half showing bright yellow flesh, a small white bowl with coarse salt, a small white bowl of red pepper flakes, a few sprigs of fresh chopped parsley, several raw boneless, skinless chicken thighs cut into thick strips, a small white bowl of black pepper, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p awthu7i m7354615311229779997

Salted butter: Provides a rich, creamy base that melds beautifully with the garlic and parmesan; softening the butter first helps it blend smoothly.
Garlic: Freshly grated garlic packs much more punch than pre-minced — it’s the aromatic heart of the dish.
Parmesan cheese: Finely grated parmesan adds a salty, nutty layer that melts into the butter and sticks to the chicken.
Lemon zest and juice: Adds bright acidity to cut through the richness and balance the flavors.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors, so don’t skimp here.
Red pepper flakes: Bring just the right kick of heat; adjust this based on your heat tolerance.
Fresh parsley: Optional, but the fresh herb adds color and a bright finish.
Boneless skinless chicken thighs: They’re tender, juicy, and forgiving — ideal for skewers and quick cooking.
Black pepper: Adds subtle warmth and depth.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of my favorite things about this Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers Recipe is how easy it is to tweak. I encourage you to get creative and make it suit your tastes — it’ll only get better the more you personalize it.

Variation: I sometimes swap the red pepper flakes for smoked paprika to give the dish a smoky twist that’s delicious with grilled veggies.
Gluten-free option: This recipe is naturally gluten-free, just double-check your parmesan cheese to be safe.
Vegetarian swap: Try using firm tofu or halloumi chunks instead of chicken for a vegetarian-friendly version.
Nugget-style: If you want to skip skewers, toss the chicken pieces directly with the garlic parmesan butter and air-fry or oven-bake — just watch cooking time closely.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers Recipe

Step 1: Whip up that luscious garlic parmesan butter

Start by softening your butter until it's easy to stir, then melt it gently in a medium bowl. Grate fresh garlic right into the butter, add the parmesan cheese, lemon zest and juice, salt, and red pepper flakes. Stir everything together until smooth. Don’t worry if the butter firms up some while you prep the chicken — it’ll soften again when you baste.

Step 2: Prep your skewers and chicken

I like to trim wooden skewers with poultry shears so they fit snugly in my air fryer. Next, cut the chicken thighs into 2-inch strips — they hold flavor and moisture beautifully. Thread 6-7 pieces tightly onto each skewer, and then season all sides with salt and pepper.

Step 3: Brush and air-fry with love

Brush each skewer generously with the garlic parmesan butter and air-fry at 350°F for 5 minutes. Pause to baste with more butter and continue cooking for two more 5-minute intervals, or until the chicken is golden and cooked through. This three-step basting locks in moisture and builds gorgeous layers of flavor and color.

Step 4: Serve with extra buttery goodness

Once done, pour the leftover buttery sauce from the air fryer over your cooked skewers, sprinkle fresh parsley and extra parmesan on top, and serve with lemon wedges on the side for an extra pop of citrus. Trust me — dipping the chicken in that sauce is the best part!

Top Tip

I’ve cooked these skewers dozens of times now, and a few tried-and-true tips really bring the dish up a notch. These tricks help you nail juicy chicken every time without fuss.

Use chicken thighs: They’re more forgiving than breast — less chance of drying out while you air-fry.
Baste in stages: I can’t stress this enough; repeated basting lets that buttery garlic parmesan sauce soak deep into the meat.
Trim skewers carefully: Wooden skewers can be tricky to fit in air fryers; poultry shears are a game-changer for clean cuts.
Watch cooking times: If you make nugget-sized pieces instead of skewers, expect your cooking time to drop — keep a close eye on that to prevent dryness.

How to Serve Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers Recipe

garlic parmesan chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I’m partial to fresh chopped parsley for the bright green pop it adds; it also lifts the heavy buttery flavor nicely. A sprinkle of extra finely grated parmesan right before serving never fails to impress. Lemon wedges on the side let everyone add an extra tangy zip if they want.

Side Dishes

I often pair these skewers with simple sides like garlic roasted broccoli or a crisp garden salad to balance the richness. Creamy mashed potatoes or buttery rice pilaf also complement the flavors wonderfully for a hearty meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I like to arrange these skewers standing upright in a serving glass filled with coarse salt or herbs — it makes grabbing a skewer a breeze. Another time, I transformed the skewers into sliders with mini buns and a drizzle of aioli; it was a hit at my last gathering.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually place leftover skewers in an airtight container and refrigerate. They keep well for about 3 days and still taste fantastic reheated, especially when you refresh with a brush of leftover garlic parmesan butter before warming.

Freezing

If I’m planning ahead, I freeze cooked skewers wrapped tightly in foil and placed in freezer bags. They freeze beautifully for up to two months. When ready, I thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating to maintain juiciness.

Reheating

Reheating in the air fryer at 320°F for about 4-5 minutes revives the crispy edges wonderfully without drying out the meat. If using an oven, wrap skewers in foil and warm at 350°F for 10 minutes, adding a little butter on top to keep moist.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs in this Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers Recipe?

You can absolutely use chicken breast if that’s what you have on hand, but thighs are preferred because they stay juicier and more flavorful when air-fried. If you use breast, just watch the cooking time closely to avoid drying out.

Can I make this recipe without an air fryer?

Yes! While the air fryer speeds up cooking and crisps up the outside nicely, you can bake the skewers at 375°F in the oven for about 20-25 minutes, turning halfway through, until cooked through and golden.

Can I prepare the skewers in advance?

Absolutely! You can thread the chicken onto skewers and prepare the garlic parmesan butter ahead of time, then cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before cooking. Just bring everything close to room temperature before air frying for best results.

What can I serve with Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers Recipe?

Great side options include garlic roasted vegetables, a fresh salad, creamy mashed potatoes, or rice pilaf. For a fun twist, wrap the chicken in pita or flatbread with some fresh greens and a drizzle of yogurt sauce.

Final Thoughts

This Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen rotation because it’s so reliably tasty and quick to pull together. It’s one of those dishes that feels impressive yet is totally doable — perfect for sharing or just enjoying a cozy, flavorful meal. I’m confident once you try it, it’ll become one of your favorite go-to dinners too.