Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Skewers

These Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Skewers are a delicious and healthy meal. Made with tender chicken breast and zesty lemon pepper seasoning, they're quick and easy to cook in the air fryer. Perfect for a weeknight dinner!

Chicken Skewers in Air Fryer

Have you ever wondered if you can cook chicken skewers (also known as kabobs or kebabs) in your air fryer? The answer is yes, and it's quick and easy to do! In fact, you can cook just about anything skewered in the air fryer or air fryer oven, from beef to shrimp, lamb, vegetables, fruits, and more. If it can be cooked in a conventional oven, then you can definitely cook it in your air fryer too.

Lemon Pepper Seasoning

Homemade seasoning blends are often fresher and more flavorful than store-bought ones. In the case of Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Skewers, using homemade seasoning takes the dish to the next level, providing a burst of fresh, zesty flavor that complements the tender and juicy chicken. Be sure to check out our recipe for Homemade Lemon Pepper Seasoning. Make a large batch to have it always on hand.

You'll Need

Here are some ingredient notes for Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Skewers:

• Chicken: You can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs or chicken breast for this recipe. Cut the chicken into 1-inch cubes so they cook evenly on the skewers.
• Lemon zest and juice: Use fresh lemons for the best flavor.
• Olive oil: Extra-virgin olive oil works best for this recipe, but you can also use avocado oil, grapeseed oil, or another high smoke point oil.
• Garlic: Fresh garlic cloves provide the best flavor, but you can also use minced garlic from a jar.
• Salt and fresh ground black pepper: Freshly ground pepper has a more intense flavor and aroma compared to pre-ground pepper, which can lose its potency over time. If you don't have whole peppercorns, you can use pre-ground black pepper instead, but the flavor may not be as strong. Adjust the amount of salt and pepper to your taste preferences.
• Unsalted Butter: It's best to use unsalted butter so that you can control the amount of salt in the recipe. If you only have salted butter on hand, adjust the amount of added salt accordingly.
• Paprika: Use sweet or smoked paprika depending on your preference. Sweet paprika has a milder flavor while smoked paprika has a smoky, slightly spicy taste.

How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Skewers

• Place the chicken, salt, pepper, garlic, lemon zest, and olive oil in a large bowl. Mix everything well. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes to marinate. For best results, marinate the chicken overnight.

• In a medium-sized bowl, mix together the softened butter, salt, pepper, lemon juice, lemon zest, and paprika until fully combined.

• Thread the marinated chicken thighs onto skewers, ensuring the meat is tightly packed on each skewer. Place the skewers in the air fryer basket and set the temperature to 350 degrees.
• Cook for 12 minutes, then open the air fryer and flip the skewers to cook the other side. Cook for an additional 7-10 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. You can check the temperature using a meat thermometer by inserting it into one of the chicken pieces. Once cooked, brush the skewers with lemon pepper butter and serve immediately.

Tips

Here are some tips to make the perfect Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Skewers:

1. Soak the wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes before threading the chicken to prevent them from burning in the air fryer.
2. Cut the chicken into evenly sized pieces to ensure that they cook evenly.
3. Season the chicken well with lemon pepper seasoning and any other desired spices for maximum flavor.
4. Spray the chicken skewers lightly with cooking spray before air frying to help them get crispy.
5. Flip halfway through cooking to ensure that they cook evenly on all sides.
6. Check the internal temperature of the chicken with a meat thermometer to ensure that it reaches at least 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
7. Brush them with some lemon pepper butter right after cooking! This will add even more flavor and moisture to the chicken, making them even more delicious.

Storage

Let the skewers cool to room temperature first. Then, remove the chicken from the skewers and place them in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag. Store the container or bag in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. If you want to store the chicken for a longer time, you can freeze it for up to 2-3 months. To reheat the chicken skewers, you can either use the air fryer again or microwave them until heated through.

Reheating

• Air Fryer method: Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the chicken skewers in the air fryer basket and cook for 5-8 minutes, or until heated through. If the chicken starts to dry out, you can brush it with a little bit of oil or melted butter to add moisture.
• Microwave Method: Alternatively, you can reheat the chicken skewers in the microwave. Place the chicken on a microwave-safe plate and cover it with a damp paper towel. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through. Check the chicken for doneness and adjust the cooking time if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Other Easy Air Fryer Chicken Recipes

Air Fryer Chicken Legs

Air Fryer Chicken Breast

Shake and Bake Chicken in Air Fryer

Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken

Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Bites

Parmesan Crusted Chicken with Mayo

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