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This Cowboy Butter Chicken Skewers recipe is the perfect combination of bold flavors and juicy, tender chicken! It’s super easy to make, packed with savory goodness, and great for grilling or air frying. Plus, the melted cowboy butter takes it to the next level.
Be sure to check out our quick chicken dinners for more easy recipes.
😍Why You’ll Love It
We love recipes that are simple but don’t compromise on flavor, and these Cowboy Butter Chicken Skewers are just that! They’re quick to make, perfect for entertaining or a low-effort dinner, and the flavor is out of this world. Our cowboy butter adds a zesty, garlicky kick that pairs beautifully with the chicken.
These skewers are also super versatile! You can swap out the chicken for shrimp or even veggies for a lighter option.
✅What You’ll Need
- Chicken – Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs cut into cubes for easy skewering.
- Cowboy butter – This zesty, melted butter is the star of the show, loaded with garlic and spices.
- Garlic – Grated with a microplane for bold, even flavor throughout.
- Wooden skewers – Soaked in water to prevent burning on the grill or in the air fryer.
- Fresh parsley – For a pop of color and freshness as a garnish.
👨🍳Helpful Tips
- Cut the chicken evenly: This ensures all the pieces cook at the same rate.
- Soak the skewers: Don’t skip soaking the wooden skewers for at least 30 minutes to avoid burning during cooking.
- Brush generously with cowboy butter: Don’t hold back! This is where all the flavor shines.
🔪How to make Cowboy Butter Chicken Skewers
This is an overview. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.
In a large bowl, toss the chicken with olive oil, grated garlic, salt, and pepper.
Thread the chicken cubes onto the soaked skewers, leaving a little space between each piece for even cooking.
Cook the skewers for 11-12 minutes, flipping halfway, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Once cooked, drizzle or brush the hot skewers generously with melted cowboy butter.
✨Substitutions and Variations
- Swap the protein: Try shrimp or even tofu for a fun twist.
- Add veggies: Thread zucchini, bell peppers, or cherry tomatoes between the chicken pieces for added flavor and color.
🍴What to Serve with Cowboy Butter Chicken Skewers
Pair these skewers with a light side like our Cucumber and Tomato Salad, Roasted Asparagus, or Garlic Bread. They’re also fantastic with Instant Pot Jasmine Rice or quinoa for a heartier meal.
🗄️Leftovers and Storage
These skewers are best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, pop them in the air fryer at 350°F until warmed through. You can freeze these skewers in an airtight container for up to 3 months!
This recipe brings bold flavors, minimal effort, and maximum satisfaction to your table—perfect for any night of the week!
Cowboy Butter Chicken Skewers
Ingredients
- 6-8 wooden skewers soaked in water for 30 minutes
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs about 1 pound, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 garlic gloves grated, using a microplane
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt or to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup cowboy butter melted
- Fresh parsley finely chopped for garnish
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the chicken, oil, garlic, salt, and pepper. Toss until the chicken is evenly coated.
- Thread the chicken onto the skewers: Take the soaked wooden skewers and thread 4-5 chicken cubes onto each skewer, leaving a small space between each piece for even cooking.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Arrange the skewers in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd.
- Cook for 11-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Remove and glaze: Once cooked, carefully remove the skewers from the air fryer and transfer them to a serving platter. Drizzle or brush generously with the melted cowboy butter while they’re still warm.
- Finish with freshly chopped parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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These chicken skewers were a flavor explosion! The cowboy butter was rich and tangy with just the right kick. Grilled to perfection, they were juicy and tender. Perfect for our weekend BBQ!
Thank you, Chris! I’m so glad they were a hit at your BBQ. Cowboy butter really does take grilled chicken to the next level!
These skewers were amazing! I marinated the chicken in a little cowboy butter first and grilled them — they turned out juicy, smoky, and full of flavor. My kids devoured them.
Priya, we love hearing that even the kids loved it! Great idea to use it as a marinade — thanks for the tasty tip!
Made these on the grill for a backyard get-together — gone in minutes. Super juicy and that butter sauce gave it a kick everyone loved.
Sounds like a crowd-pleaser, David! Thanks for giving it a try — love that it was a hit at your BBQ!
These skewers were packed with flavor and cooked beautifully. The cowboy butter was unreal.
That makes me so happy, Olivia! That sauce really does steal the show.