Baked chicken kebabs are flavorful and bite-sized, perfect for entertaining! Make a plate of these to serve as an appetizer, or put them in a bun or on top of a salad and enjoy as a meal.
The best part about this appetizer is how quickly they bake – in just 10 minutes! And even faster if using an air-fryer!.
These juicy and flavorful kebabs are sure to be a hit at your next event! They’ve been my go-to lately – I most recently served them at a Diwali Dinner Party.
Make these ahead of time and then heat them up on a pan or in the oven the day of the party. They are quick and easy to make, taste great, and go great with my sweet and spicy tomato chutney.
These flavorful patties are made with ground chicken, onion, cilantro, garlic, and spices. They’re easy to assemble and quick to bake.
Chicken kabobs are a flavorful and easy dinner option that can be made conveniently in an air fryer. With the air fryer’s rapid, high-heat air circulation, the chicken comes out tender and juicy on the inside with a nice char on the outside But getting the timing right is key to avoiding over or undercooked kabobs So how long should you really cook chicken kabobs in an air fryer?
There is a lot to know about air fryer chicken kabobs. This guide will teach you everything you need to know, from how to prepare them to how long they take to cook.
Choosing the Right Chicken for Kabobs
The key to delicious kabobs starts with using the right cut of chicken. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs are best suited for air fryer kabobs.
The air fryer cooks chicken breasts quickly and keeps them lean. Because thighs have a little more fat, they stay juicy and taste better. You can’t go wrong with either!.
Aim to cut the chicken into 1-15 inch cubes Uniform pieces allow for even cooking. Take the time to trim off any excess fat or sinew for the best texture.
The Power of Marination
Before skewering, be sure to marinate the chicken. Marinades impart flavor and make the chicken more moist and tender.
A simple marinade of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and your favorite spices and herbs does the trick. Let the chicken marinate for 30 minutes up to overnight.
Acidic ingredients like vinegar, yogurt, and citrus help break down the chicken’s fibers. But don’t over-marinate, as the acids can make the texture mushy.
Skewering for Success
Wood or metal skewers both work well, just remember to soak wooden skewers in water first to prevent burning.
Alternate chicken chunks with your favorite veggies like peppers, onions, zucchini and tomatoes.
Leave a little space between pieces to allow air flow. Overcrowded skewers steam instead of crisp up.
If skewers are too long for your air fryer, simply trim them to size.
Air Fryer Cooking Time for Chicken Kabobs
Set the air fryer to 400°F. No need to preheat unless your model requires it.
Cook time can vary based on size of chicken and vegetables. Some general guidelines:
- 1-inch chicken cubes: 10-12 minutes
- 1.5-inch chicken cubes: 12-15 minutes
- Chicken and denser veggies like zucchini: 13-16 minutes
For food safety, chicken must reach an internal temp of 165°F. Use a meat thermometer to check.
Flip kabobs halfway through cooking for even browning. Mist with oil to prevent drying out if needed.
Let kabobs rest 5 minutes before serving to lock in juices.
Tips for the Best Air Fryer Chicken Kabobs
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Use a light coat of oil for crisping. Just a quick spray before air frying is enough.
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Cook in a single layer, not stacked. This allows for proper air circulation.
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Give kabobs a quarter turn midway through cooking to prevent uneven cooking.
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If cooking large batches, divide kabobs between multiple air fryer loads. Avoid overcrowding.
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Try mixing up proteins – chicken, beef, shrimp and veggies make colorful combo kabobs!
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Pair with dipping sauces like tzatziki, chimichurri or teriyaki for extra flavor.
Fun Flavor Ideas for Chicken Kabobs
The possibilities are endless when it comes to infusing chicken kabobs with delicious flavors:
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Jerk – Rub jerk seasoning into the chicken before skewering for a taste of the Caribbean.
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Tandoori – Marinate chicken in yogurt, spices like garam masala, ginger, and garlic for Indian-inspired kabobs.
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Korean BBQ – Use a soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, garlic and ginger marinade.
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Fajita – Mexican flavors like lime juice, cumin, chili powder, and cilantro. Add bell peppers and onions.
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Italian – A marinade of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, basil, oregano and red pepper flakes.
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Hawaiian – Sweet and tangy pineapple juice, brown sugar, soy sauce marinade.
So go ahead and get creative with global flavors! The air fryer handles it all beautifully.
Make Delicious Side Dishes
What pairs best with juicy chicken kabobs straight from the air fryer?
Here are some easy vegetable side dishes you can make in the air fryer too:
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Balsamic Brussels Sprouts – Toss sprouts with olive oil, balsamic glaze, salt, and pepper. Air fry at 400°F for 12-15 minutes, shaking halfway.
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Garlic Parmesan Green Beans – Toss green beans with olive oil, minced garlic, Parmesan, and red pepper flakes. Air fry at 400°F for 8-10 minutes.
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Sweet Potato Fries – Cut sweet potatoes into wedges, toss with oil. Air fry at 400°F 15-20 minutes until crispy.
With a protein, veggie, and simple starch like rice or couscous, you’ve got a complete meal made conveniently in one appliance!
Don’t Forget the Dips!
Take your air fryer chicken kabobs over the top with zesty dips and sauces for serving. Whip up:
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Yogurt Tzatziki – Greek yogurt, cucumber, lemon juice, dill, garlic, olive oil.
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Hummus – Blend chickpeas, tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic.
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Sriracha Mayo – Mix sriracha into mayo. Adjust spiciness to taste.
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Chimichurri – Minced parsley, oregano, garlic, olive oil, red wine vinegar.
Let’s Wrap Up How Long to Cook Kabobs
Making juicy, flavorful chicken kabobs in the air fryer couldn’t be easier. Allow an hour from start to finish.
- Marinate chicken 30 minutes up to overnight
- Skewer kabobs in 10 minutes
- Cook at 400°F approximately 12-16 minutes
- Rest 5 minutes before serving
With the right prep and cook times, you’ll have tender, perfectly cooked kabobs ready to enjoy as a tasty homemade dinner.
So ditch the grill and give air fryer chicken kabobs a try tonight! Just be ready for the rave reviews and requests for seconds from lucky family and friends.
Can I Use the Air-Fryer to Make Kebabs?
You can bake, air-fry, or pan-fry these kebabs. I’ll include all three methods in the recipe card below.
I tried all three ways to test this recipe and found that baking was the easiest. There wasn’t much difference in taste between baking and the other two methods. pan-frying, which was surprising considering that to pan-fry, you need oil or ghee.
I will say if you like using an air-fryer, go for it. The patties turn out great – the only downside is that you can only fit a few in the air-fryer at a time. Still, it’s not a bad choice if you’re meal prepping and only need to cook a few for your family.
How to Make Kebabs:
Mix all of the ingredients together in a bowl.
Use a medium cookie scoop to portion out anywhere from 33 to 35 patties. You’ll want to roll and flatten them into thin patties, especially if you’re making these for a crowd.
You can also always make these into thicker patties or burgers, you’ll just need to adjust the baking time – for example, if you double the thickness, you’ll need to double the bake time too (approx 22 minutes).
And then bake! These patties can take anywhere from 10 to 12 minutes at 350F.
Because ground chicken is made up of both dark and light meat, you can always add an extra few minutes and it won’t hurt or overcook the meat. If you have a digital thermometer, you want the meat to reach an internal temperature of 165F.
Easy Air Fryer Chicken Kabobs in 30 Minutes
FAQ
How long does it take to make chicken kabobs in air fryer?
These should be ready to eat in 9 minutes or less, depending on how hot your air fryer is. Remember these can be made in the Ninja Foodi, Ninja Speedi, or Ninja Foodi Grill too. If your machine has an air fryer function, you can make them. If you have a Ninja, you would use the air crisp function. What do you need to make Air Fryer Chicken Kabobs?.
What temperature should kabobs be cooked in an air fryer?
Air fry in batches if necessary. Because every air fryer cooks a little differently, make sure the chicken is fully cooked before taking the kabobs out of the air fryer. The internal temperature of the chicken should be 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Subscribe to Simply Air Fryer!.
Are air fryer chicken kabobs good?
For an easy dinner option with a bit of summer flair, air fryer chicken kabobs are a great option. Easy to make with some fresh chicken breasts, juicy vegetables, and a delicious seasoning, these skewers are perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a weekend get-together!
How do you cook chicken skewers in an air fryer?
On each skewer stick build it with your choice of vegetables and rotate the chicken on the sticks. Preheat the air fryer to 390°F for 5 minutes. Coat the basket with grapeseed oil spray. Evenly place the skewers into the basket to fit, leaving space around each one for the air to circulate.
How do you cook chicken in an air fryer?
Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees for 5 minutes. Add the chicken breast pieces, BBQ seasoning, and avocado oil to a medium mixing bowl. Stir to combine and spread the seasonings evenly. Thread chicken and vegetable pieces onto the skewers. I rotate red onions, chicken, and red peppers until I have about 3 pieces of chicken on the skewer.
Can you use chicken thighs in air fryer?
You can also use chicken thighs. Brown Sugar BBQ Chicken Rub: this homemade spice blend contains everything you need to make flavorful air fryer chicken kabobs – garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, black pepper and more.
How long do you cook chicken kabobs in the air fryer?
How long does it take to cook kabobs in the air fryer?
Drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil on each kabob and place the skewers into the air fryer. Cook until desired internal temperature, turning once halfway during cooking (10-12 minutes for medium, 14-15 minutes for medium-well, 16-17 minutes for well-done).