🍋 Lemon Butter Chicken Skewers (Garlic Parmesan Style)
These Lemon Butter Chicken Skewers are juicy, crispy, and packed with garlic parmesan flavor. Perfect for air frying or grilling, they make a quick weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing BBQ dish. A zesty lemon marinade tenderizes the chicken while a buttery parmesan coating takes it to the next level.
Ingredients
- For the marinade:
- 2 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs or chicken breast, cut into 1.5-inch bite-sized pieces
- 3 tbsp mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil
- Juice and zest of 1 lemon
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- For the coating & finish:
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ⅓ cup panko breadcrumbs or plain/seasoned breadcrumbs
- 3 tbsp melted butter
- Fresh parsley or chives for garnish
- Optional:
- Red pepper flakes for heat
- A pinch of oregano or thyme for a Mediterranean twist
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken
- Trim and cut chicken into uniform bite-sized pieces using a sharp knife and clean board.
- Make the marinade
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, olive oil, lemon juice, zest, garlic, and seasonings (paprika, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder).
- Marinate the chicken
- Add the chicken to the marinade and toss until evenly coated.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or overnight for deeper flavor).
- Soak skewers (if using bamboo)
- Soak wooden skewers in water for 20–30 minutes to prevent burning.
- Skip this step if using metal skewers.
- Thread the chicken
- Skewer the chicken, leaving slight space between each piece to allow airflow.
- Avoid overcrowding for crispier results.
- Coat with parmesan & breadcrumbs
- Mix parmesan and panko in a bowl. Lightly toss or press the skewers into the mixture.
- Cook (Air Fryer or Grill)
- Air Fryer:
- Preheat to 390°F (200°C).
- Spray the basket with oil and place skewers in a single layer.
- Cook for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Chicken is done at 165°F internal temp.
- Grill:
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat and oil the grates.
- Cook skewers for 12–15 minutes, flipping every 4 minutes until charred and fully cooked.
- Baste with lemon butter
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt butter. Stir in a splash of lemon juice and a pinch of parmesan.
- Brush skewers with the butter mixture during the last few minutes of cooking.
- Serve & garnish
- Garnish with fresh parsley or chives.
- Serve hot with extra lemon butter sauce on the side.
Video
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheating:
Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–5 minutes until warmed through. You can also reheat in a preheated oven at 375°F for 8–10 minutes. Avoid the microwave to keep the coating crispy.
Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–5 minutes until warmed through. You can also reheat in a preheated oven at 375°F for 8–10 minutes. Avoid the microwave to keep the coating crispy.