These Air Fryer Chicken Skewers (also known as Air Fryer Chicken Kabobs) are a quick and easy 15-minute meal. Just toss diced chicken and colorful veggies with flavorful seasoning, then air fry until golden brown.
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Looking for more easy air fryer recipes? Check out my Air Fried Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs, Air Fryer Thin Chicken Breasts, and Air Fryer Frozen Salmon next!
If you are new to my blog, you'll quickly realize I love my air fryer. I use it at least 3-4 nights a week. I love that I can take something out of the freezer, pop it in cold water to defrost, and cook it up in less than 30 minutes. It has been a lifesaver. How did I ever manage before?
I've made these kabobs dozens of times in my Instant Pot Vortex 6-quart air fryer, and I've learned a few tricks, like why the size of your chicken cubes is the most important part of the recipe. Whether you use chicken breasts or thighs, this 15-minute meal is a total lifesaver for busy weeknights.
Recipe at a Glance
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus 30 mins to soak skewers).
- Air Fryer Temp: 385°F (The "Sweet Spot" for browning without drying out).
- Cook Time: 12-14 minutes.
- Internal Temp: 165°F for the chicken.
- Batch Cooking: This recipe makes about 8 skewers; cook in two batches of 4 for best airflow.
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy to make.
- Ready in 15 minutes.
- Use any vegetables.
- Your whole family will love them.
- Makes an easy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients You'll Need
You'll need the following basic ingredients to make this air fryer chicken skewers recipe.
- Chicken pieces. Use boneless skinless chicken breast or chicken thighs. Dice them the same size.
- Bell peppers. Use red, yellow, green, or orange bell peppers.
- Seasoning. For a delicious spice combination, I used garlic powder, smoked paprika, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper.
- Optional. Use red onion, cherry tomatoes, zucchini, mushrooms, or any other vegetable you like.
See the printable recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Skewers
Step-by-Step Instructions
If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes before using.
Step 1: In a large bowl, combine olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and black pepper.
Step 2: Add the chicken cubes and toss until evenly coated in the seasoning.
Step 3: Thread chicken and bell peppers onto the skewers in any combination you like. Once they're all done, preheat your air fryer to 385°F.
Step 4: Spray the air fryer basket with avocado spray to prevent sticking. Place chicken skewers in the basket in a single layer. Make sure to leave space between them so the hot air can circulate. My Tip: If your skewers are a half-inch too long, you can usually lay them diagonally or use kitchen shears to snip off the ends of wooden sticks.
Step 5: Air fry the skewers at 385°F for 12-14 minutes, flipping halfway.
Step 6: Serve the chicken skewers immediately with a salad, rice, or your favorite dipping sauce.
Substitutions and Variations
- Chicken. Use tofu, shrimp, or pork for a different protein choice.
- Oil. Use avocado oil or cooking oil instead.
- Spices. Use chili powder, regular paprika, onion powder, lemon pepper seasoning, cayenne pepper, or red pepper flakes.
- Marinade. Marinate chicken in Italian dressing or BBQ sauce.
- Mediterranean Version: Swap the cumin and paprika for dried oregano and lemon zest.
- Teriyaki: Use my simple marinade from my Grilled Teriyaki Chicken on a Stick, but cook it in the air fryer for a faster version.
- Veggie Options: Red onions, zucchini, and whole cherry tomatoes can be used. My Tip: If using zucchini, slice it thick so it doesn't get mushy.
- Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers: Skip the cumin and paprika. Instead, toss the chicken in olive oil, plenty of minced garlic, and Italian seasoning. Five minutes before they are done cooking, sprinkle them generously with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Serve with a side of garlic butter or parmesan butter for dipping!
Serving Suggestions
Serve these delicious chicken kabobs with Instant Pot Jasmine Rice or cauliflower rice. They also go perfectly with Oven-Baked Boursin Tomato Pasta. I love to garnish them with fresh parsley or cilantro.
You can also wrap everything inside 3-Ingredient Flatbread or pita bread with sweet chili sauce for a quick and easy chicken wrap.
Jeri's Expert Tips for Perfect Kabobs
Uniformity is Key: Cut your chicken and peppers into even 1-inch cubes. If the chicken is too small, it will dry out before the peppers soften; if it's too big, the veggies will burn before the meat is cooked.
Leave Breathing Room: It's tempting to crowd the basket, but the "air" in air frying needs to move. Leaving a half-inch between skewers ensures the sides get crispy, not soggy.
The Oil Secret: Don't just spray the basket; toss the chicken and veggies in the bowl with olive oil first. This seals in the juices and helps the spices stick.
Storage
Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Freezer: Wrap each skewer individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag or an airtight container for up to 2 months.
Reheating: Reheat the skewers for 3-5 minutes at 350°F until heated through. If reheating frozen skewers, increase the cooking time until hot.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can use steel skewers in the air fryer - and they don't need to be soaked like wooden skewers. Just make sure they are small enough to fit in your air fryer basket.
You can use metal skewers or wooden chopsticks if you don't have kabob sticks.
You can either assemble the skewers and refrigerate them, covered with plastic wrap or foil, or dice the chicken and peppers and store them separately.
I would plan for 2 to 3 skewers per person.
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Printable Recipe
Air Fryer Chicken Skewers (Chicken Kabobs)
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs cut in 1-inch cubes
- 1 large red bell pepper cut in 1-inch pieces
- 1 large yellow bell pepper cut in 1-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- wooden or metal skewers (if wooden, soak in water for 30 minutes first)
Instructions
- Prep: If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes. Dice chicken and bell peppers into uniform 1-inch cubes.
- Season: In a large bowl, combine 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon ground cumin, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Add the chicken cubes and toss until evenly coated.
- Assemble: Thread the chicken and bell peppers onto the skewers, alternating them. Once assembled, preheat your air fryer to 385°F.
- Arrange: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with avocado oil. Place the skewers in the basket in a single layer, leaving space between them.
- Air Fry: Cook for 12-14 minutes at 385°F, flipping halfway through. Chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Serve: Serve immediately with rice, pita bread, or your favorite dipping sauce. Enjoy!
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Notes
- Uniformity: Cutting the chicken and veggies the same size ensures they finish cooking at the same time.
- Airflow: Do not crowd the basket; cook in batches if necessary to ensure the hot air can circulate.
- Variations: Try the Garlic Parmesan version by adding minced garlic and topping with Parmesan cheese during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Nutrition
The provided nutrition information is automatically calculated. Accuracy is not guaranteed.
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DK says
I tried this last night and the chicken came out so juicy and tender! And the peppers were cooked to perfection as well!
Oscar says
I love making these Air Fryer Chicken Skewers. They're easy to prepare and ready in less than 15 minutes, with perfectly cooked chicken and colorful veggies.
Nicole says
I love how fast I can throw this together! It’s a hit in my house!
Liz says
So delicious!!! Easy to make and the whole family enjoyed these kabobs!!
Alexandra says
This recipe is my go-to when I need a simple and delicious meal. The skewers come together quickly and taste fantastic. We serve with mashed potato but they would really go with just about any side!