Ranch Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers are an irresistible dish perfect for grilling or cooking in an air fryer, featuring juicy, flavorful chicken coated in a zesty chicken seasoning and topped with a rich garlic parmesan butter sauce. This recipe delivers a perfect balance of savory, spicy, and fresh flavors for a truly satisfying meal or appetizer.
You’ll love these skewers because the chicken is packed tightly on the skewers to keep every piece juicy and tender while being infused with the dry ranch seasoning, paprika, and herbs. The garlic parmesan butter sauce adds a luscious, aromatic finish with a bit of heat from hot sauce and red pepper flakes, making each bite a flavor-packed delight. Whether enjoyed on their own, with a salad, or alongside your favorite sides, these skewers are sure to impress.
Ingredients
Chicken and Seasonings:
- 2 lbs chicken tenders, thighs, or breast, cut into 3-inch pieces
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1.5 tbsp dry ranch seasoning
- 1 tsp dried dill
- 2 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
Garlic Parmesan Butter Sauce:
- 1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter
- 8–10 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp hot sauce, more if preferred
- 2 tsp red pepper flakes
- ⅓ cup fresh parsley, minced
- 1 tbsp dry ranch seasoning
- 1 tsp dried dill
- ½ tsp onion powder
Instructions
Before you begin, soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning during cooking. In a small bowl, combine the chicken seasoning ingredients: dry ranch seasoning, dried dill, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Set this seasoning mixture aside.
Next, cut your chicken into uniform 3-inch pieces and place them in a large bowl or a ziptop bag. Toss the chicken with olive oil and your prepared seasoning mixture until all pieces are well coated. This ensures every bite is packed with flavor.
Carefully thread the seasoned chicken pieces onto the skewers, packing them tightly without gaps to maintain juiciness during cooking. Trim the top few inches of the skewers if needed to fit into your air fryer or grill.
Prepare the garlic parmesan butter sauce by placing the butter and minced garlic in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat until the butter is partially melted, then add red pepper flakes, hot sauce, dry ranch seasoning, dried dill, onion powder, and parmesan cheese. Whisk until the sauce is smooth and well combined. If the sauce separates, adding a tablespoon or two of softened butter and stirring will help to re-emulsify it.
Scoop out about one-third of the sauce and reserve it for basting the par-cooked chicken. Use this portion to baste the chicken during cooking, and keep the remaining sauce separate to avoid cross-contamination. Be sure to wash your basting brush between uses.
Cook 2 to 3 skewers at a time in the air fryer at 400°F for 5 minutes. Remove and flip the skewers, then baste with the reserved sauce. Return to cook for an additional 2 minutes at 400°F.
Flip the skewers back once more, baste with more sauce, and continue cooking for another 5–6 minutes until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F and the skewers are cooked through. Total cooking time will generally be between 12 and 14 minutes, but this may vary depending on your air fryer.
After cooking, give the skewers a final brush with the clean reserved garlic parmesan butter sauce, sprinkle with extra parmesan cheese, and garnish with freshly minced parsley. Serve hot and enjoy!
My Best Tips for Success
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Soak wooden skewers thoroughly before cooking to prevent burning.
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Cut chicken into uniform pieces to ensure even cooking.
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Pack skewers tightly to keep the meat juicy.
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Use quality butter and freshly minced garlic for a flavorful sauce.
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Keep reserved and used basting sauces separate to avoid contamination.
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Use an instant-read thermometer to check chicken doneness for safety.
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Adjust hot sauce and red pepper flakes to control the heat level.
Delicious Variations to Try
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Swap chicken for shrimp or pork for a different protein option.
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Add bell peppers, onions, or cherry tomatoes to the skewers for veggie variety.
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Use smoked paprika or chipotle powder instead of regular paprika for a smoky twist.
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Make the sauce dairy-free using vegan butter and nutritional yeast in place of parmesan.
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Grill the skewers instead of air frying for a charred flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use chicken thighs instead of tenders or breasts?
Yes, chicken thighs are juicier and work well with the seasoning and cooking method, though they may take slightly longer to cook.
How spicy is the garlic parmesan butter sauce?
The sauce has a mild to medium heat due to the hot sauce and red pepper flakes, but you can adjust the amount to suit your taste.
Can I prepare the marinade ahead of time?
Certainly! Marinating the chicken for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight enhances the flavor.
What if I don’t have an air fryer?
You can grill or bake the skewers at 400°F until cooked through, adjusting cooking times accordingly.
How do I store leftovers?
Keep any cooked skewers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and consume within 3 days. Reheat gently.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, the recipe is naturally gluten-free as long as your seasonings and sauces contain no gluten additives.
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Ranch Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 8 skewers 1x
Description
Juicy chicken skewers packed with zesty ranch, herbs, and a rich garlic butter sauce. Perfect for air frying or grilling, finished with a creamy parmesan glaze infused with garlic, hot sauce, and red pepper flakes.
Ingredients
Chicken and Seasonings
2 lbs chicken tenders, thighs, or breast, cut into 3-inch pieces
2 tbsp olive oil
1½ tbsp dry ranch seasoning
1 tsp dried dill
2 tsp paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
Garlic Parmesan Butter Sauce
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
8–10 garlic cloves, minced
½ cup grated parmesan cheese
1 tbsp hot sauce (adjust to taste)
2 tsp red pepper flakes
⅓ cup fresh parsley, minced
1 tbsp dry ranch seasoning
1 tsp dried dill
½ tsp onion powder
Instructions
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Prepare skewers: Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes.
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Season chicken: In a bowl, combine ranch seasoning, dill, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Toss with chicken pieces and olive oil until evenly coated.
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Assemble skewers: Thread seasoned chicken tightly onto skewers, leaving no gaps to keep meat juicy. Trim ends if necessary to fit air fryer or grill.
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Make sauce: In a microwave‑safe bowl or small saucepan, melt butter with minced garlic. Add red pepper flakes, hot sauce, ranch seasoning, dill, onion powder, and parmesan. Whisk until smooth. Reserve one‑third of the sauce for basting; keep the rest separate for serving.
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Cook skewers (air fryer method): Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Cook skewers for 5 minutes, flip, and baste with reserved sauce. Cook another 2 minutes, flip again, baste, and continue for 5–6 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
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Serve: Brush cooked skewers with remaining clean sauce, sprinkle with extra parmesan and parsley, and serve hot.
Notes
Soak skewers well to prevent burning.
Use uniform chicken pieces for even cooking.
Keep raw and cooked sauces separate. Use quality butter and fresh garlic.
Adjust spice levels to preference.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish, Appetizer
- Method: Air Fryer / Grill
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 skewer (1/8 recipe)
- Calories: 275
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: ranch garlic parmesan chicken skewers, air fryer chicken recipe, grilled chicken skewers, parmesan garlic chicken bites, easy appetizer
