Chicken Skewers in the Air Fryer
Chicken skewers are a quick way to get charred edges and juicy meat without lighting a barbecue. Chicken skewers in air fryer baskets cook in about 14 minutes, with the yoghurt marinade keeping the chicken tender and browning nicely. The recipe below covers the marinade, how to fit skewers in the basket and timings for kebabs with vegetables.
- Temperature
- 190°C
- Total time
- 59min
- Prep
- 15min
- Servings
- 4
- Core temp
- 75°C
- Per serving
- 250kcal
Why the air fryer works for chicken skewers
Chicken skewers in air fryer baskets give you the browned, slightly charred edges of a grill without a long preheat or the smoke. The hot air moves around the pieces on all sides, and the skewers keep the chicken off the base of the basket, so the meat cooks evenly. A yoghurt marinade protects the surface and adds a little tang.
Air fryer chicken skewers are also a good way to cook vegetables and meat at once, as long as they are cut to similar sizes. They need little attention, apart from one turn, and the whole batch is ready in under 15 minutes after the marinade. The only limit is the basket: skewers must be short enough to lie flat, so use 15–18 cm ones.
How to make chicken skewers in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Marinate Mix the yoghurt, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, paprika, cumin, oregano, salt and pepper in a bowl. Add the chicken and turn to coat. Cover and marinate for at least , or up to in the fridge.
- Prepare the skewers If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for so they do not scorch. Thread the chicken, pepper and onion on to each skewer, leaving a small gap between pieces. Skewers must be short enough to fit flat in the basket.
- Preheat Preheat the air fryer to 190 °C for .
- Cook Lay the skewers in the basket in a single layer, with a gap between them, in two batches if needed. Cook for , turning them over after .
- Check Push a thermometer into the thickest piece of chicken. The Food Standards Agency says chicken is safe at 75 °C for 30 seconds, with no pink meat and clear juices. Rest for before serving.
Cooking times and temperatures
| Chicken Skewers | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken skewers, 3 cm piecesTurn halfway | 190 °C | 12–14 min |
| Small pieces, 2 cm | 190 °C | 9–10 min |
| Chicken thigh skewers | 190 °C | 14–16 min |
| Skewers with vegetablesCut veg to 3 cm | 190 °C | 14 min |
| Frozen ready-made skewersFollow the packet | 180 °C | 14–16 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size of the food and the power of your air fryer. Cooked when the centre reaches 75 °C. See also cooking times and temperatures for all dishes.
Tips
- Choose a similar size for every piece. Even pieces finish together, which means no dry chicken waiting for a slow onion.
- Leave a small gap between the pieces. Pushing everything together gives pale, steamed spots where the pieces touch.
- Use a rack or tongs. Skewers and baskets get hot, so lift the skewers out with tongs and rest them on a plate.
Serving
Slide the chicken off the skewers into warm flatbreads with salad and a spoon of yoghurt, or serve with rice and roasted peppers. A bowl of wedges makes it more filling. For a lighter plate, add a cucumber and tomato salad with mint. How long to cook chicken skewers in air fryer baskets depends only on the size of the pieces, so keep them even.
Storing and reheating
Keep leftover skewers in the fridge for up to 2 days, in a covered container. To reheat, cook at 160 °C for 4–5 minutes until steaming hot all the way through (75 °C in the centre). Marinated raw chicken can be frozen on the skewers for up to 3 months and thawed in the fridge before cooking.
Variations
- Garlic and parmesan: Toss the cooked chicken in a little melted butter, grated parmesan and parsley (not dairy-free).
- Greek style: Swap the cumin for 1 tsp dried mint and add the zest of the lemon. Serve with tzatziki.
- Sweet chilli glaze: Brush with 2 tbsp sweet chilli sauce for the last 2 minutes instead of the yoghurt marinade (use oil, salt and spices to season).
Troubleshooting
- The skewers burn at the ends
- Soak wooden skewers, or use metal ones, and wrap the exposed ends in a small piece of foil. Keep the pieces off the basket edge.
- The chicken is dry
- Pieces that are too small overcook. Cut 3 cm pieces, keep the yoghurt on the meat and take the skewers out at 75 °C.
- The vegetables are raw when the chicken is done
- Cut peppers and onions in 3 cm pieces, not larger, or cook courgette and mushrooms on a separate skewer from the chicken.
Frequently asked questions
How long do chicken skewers take in an air fryer?
About 12–14 minutes at 190 °C for 3 cm pieces, turned halfway. Smaller 2 cm pieces take around 9–10 minutes.
Can you cook chicken skewers from frozen in the air fryer?
Ready-made frozen skewers can go straight in at 180 °C for 14–16 minutes, turned halfway, until steaming hot at 75 °C. Raw frozen chicken is better thawed first.
Should you soak wooden skewers for the air fryer?
Yes, for 20 minutes. It stops them scorching in the hot air. Metal skewers need no soaking but get hot, so use tongs.
Are chicken skewers and chicken kebabs the same?
Yes. Kebabs and skewers are the same thing, pieces of marinated chicken threaded on a stick. The same timings apply to either.
Should you use chicken breast or thigh for skewers?
Both work. Thigh meat is juicier and more forgiving, while breast is leaner. Cook thigh pieces for 1–2 minutes longer.
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