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    Home » Air Fryer Recipes » Air Fryer Chicken Kabobs (Chicken Skewers)

    Published: May 14, 2022 by Linda Warren

    Air Fryer Chicken Kabobs (Chicken Skewers)

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    These Air Fryer Chicken Kabobs make a quick, healthy, and easy dinner using a simple marinade, chicken breasts, and your favorite vegetables. No muss, no fuss, tender chicken skewers that take just 10 minutes to cook complete with easy cleanup. Options for keto and low carb too.

    Closeup of air fryer chicken skewers over platter.

    If you've ever wondered if you can make shish kabobs in the air fryer, let me tell you, you absolutely can! There is nothing better than your trusty air fryer for making a delicious dinner easily and quickly. And it's great for when the weather is rainy or too hot to cook outside and it won't heat up your kitchen either.

    That's why I love my air fryer! Anything you can cook in the oven or on the grill you can cook in your air fryer. From appetizers to dinners to desserts, it's amazing! Favorites like Air Fryer Fried Shrimp, Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin, and Air Fryer Filet Mignon are always on the menu.

    Closeup of air fryer chicken skewers nestled in flowers.

    Believe me, these lightly marinated chicken air fryer kebobs with a lemon-garlic marinade are super tender, moist, and absolutely delicious. They make a tasty dinner for the whole family as well as a hearty appetizer for your next party.

    What is a Chicken Shish Kebab?

    A basic kebab, or in English kebob, literally means meat on a stick, in this instance chicken. The kabob can contain fish, chicken, or beef as well as vegetables and is either roasted or grilled.

    What Goes on Shish Kabobs

    Shish Kabobs can be made with any number of ingredients and can be suited for your family's preferences. Meats to use include beef, lamb, chicken, turkey, shrimp, or scallops while vegetables span the range from colorful peppers, tomatoes, zucchini, mushrooms, onions, and yellow squash.

    Best Chicken for Kabobs

    I prefer to use boneless chicken breasts, which are easy to cut uniformly, but chicken thighs can also be used.

    Vegetables for Shish Kabobs

    Use brightly colorful fresh vegetables for the most eye-appealing and delicious skewers. I love to use red, yellow and orange bell peppers, green will work too, baby mushrooms, and onions, either white, yellow, red or sweet.

    Other options include cherry tomatoes, zucchini, yellow squash, corn and brussels sprouts. If you don't mind the carbs, parboiled or canned white potatoes or partially cooked sweet potatoes can also be added.

    FAQs

    How long does it take to cook chicken kababs in air fryer?

    10 minutes is all you need to make this full meal on a stick.

    What temperature do you cook chicken kabobs in air fryer?

    I tried various temperatures and 380 degrees worked best, cooking the chicken but not drying it out.

    Can I cook chicken kabobs from frozen?

    Yes, you sure can! These kabobs make meal prep easy. Just add 8-10 minutes to the cook time and dinner is served.

    Can I use wooden skewers in an air fryer?

    Absolutely! Cut the skewers to fit your air fryer then soak them for 5 minutes or while the chicken is marinating. Skewer and follow directions as given.

    Do I have to use a kabob rack to air fry?

    No, the rack makes it easier but you can just spray the basket and place in the bottom of the basket, and cook as directed.

    Ingredients

    Chicken and Marinade for Chicken Skewers

    Ingredients for air fryer shish kabobs.

    Chicken - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts should provide enough chicken for 8-10 skewers.

    Lemon Juice - tenderizes the chicken as well as providing flavor and acidity

    Olive Oil - helps keep the chicken moist and juicy

    Garlic & seasonings - provide flavor

    Shish Kabob Vegetables

    Vegetables for chicken skewers.

    Bell Peppers - I like to use red, orange, and yellow peppers but adding green bell peppers will give the chicken skewers a more vegetal flavor. You can also use small sweet peppers or hot peppers if you're into spicy.

    Onion - Sweet onions are delicious on these kabobs but yellow, white, or red can also be used.

    Mushrooms - baby white mushrooms fit well on these shish kababs but you can also cut up portobello mushrooms.

    Potatoes - I used canned white potatoes for convenience but if you have the time, parboiled or partially cooked white or sweet potatoes can be substituted. The pre-cooking is necessary so they cook in the same timeframe as the chicken and vegetables.

    How to Make Chicken Shish Kabobs

    Chicken Kabob Marinade

    Steps to make chicken marinade.
    1. To make marinade, combine oil and lemon juice in small bowl.
    2. Add minced garlic.
    3. Sprinkle in seasonings - Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
    4. Whisk well.

    Marinate Chicken Kabobs

    Marinating chicken steps.
    1. Cut chicken into 1" cubes. Try to make them a consistent size so they cook evenly.
    2. Place chicken in a large resealable bag.
    3. Pour prepared marinade over the chicken.
    4. Lock baggie and turn several times to cover. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

    How to Assemble Chicken Shish Kabobs

    Ingredients ready to assemble chicken skewers.
    1. Cut up vegetables, making sure they are of equal size. Drain potatoes or parboil fresh potatoes, if preferred. Of course, feel free to omit for keto and low carb diets.
    Chicken and vegetables on skewer.
    1. Skewer vegetables alternating between chicken, various vegetables, and potatoes.
    Chicken Kabobs placed on skewer rack.
    1. Place on sprayed rack in a single layer.

    How to Cook Air Fryer Chicken Skewers

    Steps to cook chicken shish kabobs in air fryer.
    1. Preheat the air fryer for 4-5 minutes at 380 degrees. Spray rack and basket then lay the skewers on the rack. You can also cook directly on the basket in a single row. Spray the tops of the chicken and vegetables lightly with oil.
    2. Air fry for 10 minutes, turning halfway through and spraying the tops again with oil. The chicken should be browned and the inside should be opaque in the center when done. If you have a digital thermometer the chicken should measure 165 degrees.
    Holding air fryer kabobs over platter.

    This easy and quick chicken shish kabobs dinner is perfect whatever the weather or day of the week. You can use whatever is in your fridge with little fuss and cleanup is a breeze. Just a few minutes to marinate then 10 minutes to cook and dinner is on the table. Enjoy!

    More Chicken Skewers Ideas

    Chicken Kebobs with Pineapple bring a tropical flair to dinner

    Make Chicken and Shrimp Kebobs with the addition of peeled raw shrimp for a take on surf and turf

    Chicken and Steak Kabobs are not only a hearty meal but eliminate the potatoes for a fantastic keto dinner as well

    Grill these Chicken skewers or try my Grilled Korean Kabobs

    Tips for the Best Chicken Skewers

    • Always marinate the chicken for a moist, tender result
    • Make sure to cut the vegetables as well as the chicken into similar sizes for even cooking
    • Spray oil on the chicken prior to cooking to aid in keeping the chicken moist
    • Make sure the skewers fit your air fryer. You can cut wooden ones down to size or purchase the skewers that go with your brand of air fryer

    What to Serve with Shish Kabobs

    Overhead of chicken kebobs dinner on plate with side salad.

    Although these air fryer shish kabobs need little else to make them a complete dinner, I like to pair mine with a Caesar salad. Other side suggestions are grilled potato salad, baked potatoes, air fryer asparagus, rice, corn salad, or just some warm dinner rolls.

    Storage/Freezing

    Once cooked, these chicken shish kabobs will keep 4 days in the refrigerator. To reheat, just air fry for a few minutes until warmed.

    You can freeze the kabob on wooden skewers prior to cooking as well as after cooking. Store in an air-tight freezer bag for up to 3 months.

    More Air Fryer Recipes

    Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan - your favorite Italian dinner with all the flavors you love in just 30 minutes.

    Easy Hot Dogs in the Air Fryer - taste like they've just come off the grill and they come complete with a toasted bun

    Air Fryer Roast Beef from Supergolden Bakes - is a great way to make tender roast beef in under an hour

    Air Fryer Pork Chops - healthy, moist, and delicious chops in just 10 minutes!

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    Closeup of air fryer chicken skewers nestled in flowers.

    Air Fryer Chicken Kabobs (Chicken Skewers)

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    Print Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Marinate: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 55 minutes
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 326kcal
    Author: Linda Warren

    Ingredients

    Marinade

    • ¼ cup olive oil
    • 2 garlic cloves minced
    • 3 Tablespoons lemon juice
    • 1 Tablespoon Italian Seasoning
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper

    Shish Kabobs

    • 2 chicken breasts cut in cubes
    • ½ large sweet onion cut in wedges
    • ½ red bell pepper ½ orange or yellow bell pepper, cut in strips then thirds
    • 8 oz mushrooms
    • 1 can whole white potatoes (15-0z)

    Instructions

    • Whisk together all ingredients for marinade.
    • Cut chicken into 1-½" cubes and place in bag with marinade. Place in refrigerator and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
    • To assemble, alternate chicken and cut vegetables and potatoes onto skewers. You can use the skewers and rack that comes with your air fryer or use wooden skewers cut to fit your air fryer. Soak the wooden skewers while cutting chicken and mixing marinade.
    • Preheat air fryer on 380 degrees for 5 minutes.
    • Place your skewers on the shish kabob rack or lay on the bottom on the air fryer basket that has been lightly sprayed with oil.
    • Spray the tops of the shish kabobs and cook at 380 degrees for 10 minutes, turning halfway through and lightly spraying again. Chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Cook a little longer if necessary. DO NOT CROWD THE KABOBS. It may take 2-3 batches to get all the kabobs cooked.
    • Remove when done and keep warm while cooking remaining kabobs.

    Notes

    TIPS FOR THE BEST CHICKEN SKEWERS
    • Always marinate the chicken for a moist, tender result
    • Make sure to cut the vegetables as well as the chicken into similar sizes for even cooking
    • Spray oil on the chicken prior to cooking to aid in keeping the chicken moist
    • Make sure the skewers fit your air fryer. You can cut wooden ones down to size or purchase the skewers that go with your brand of air fryer

    Nutrition

    Calories: 326kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 72mg | Sodium: 900mg | Potassium: 864mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 523IU | Vitamin C: 28mg | Calcium: 46mg | Iron: 2mg

    More Air Fryer Recipes

    • Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash
    • Air Fryer Fingerling Potatoes
    • Air Fryer Pizza
    • Air Fryer Monte Cristo

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    Hey, I’m Linda, the recipe creator, photographer and cocktail lover at 2 Cookin Mamas. Here you’ll find easy recipes that are not only delicious but can get you out of the kitchen ASAP. Come and join me and let me take you on a tasty trip through your kitchen. Thanks for stopping by! Learn more about me

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