Are you looking for a low-calorie high protein dinner recipe? Then give it a try to air fryer lemon butter chicken skewer. It is tasty and nutritious and can be cooked within 25 minutes. It is made with delicate chicken thighs and spicy lemon pepper flavor, an ideal meal for a weeknight!
These delicious skewers include a wonderful blend of succulent chicken pieces cooked in a tangy lemon and butter marinade, showcasing a remarkable balance of flavors. And when it is done in the air fryer, it ensures a crispy golden exterior while preserving the juicy tenderness of the chicken.
With each bite, you’ll experience a burst of citrusy tanginess blended with rich buttery goodness, creating an unforgettable culinary sensation. Whether you’re a fan of classic chicken skewers or seeking a new and exciting dish, these Lemon Butter Chicken Skewers in the air fryer are surely to convince you.
How To Cook Air Fryer Lemon Butter Chicken Skewers
Ingredients
For Chicken Skewers
450 grams of boneless chicken thighs
3 grams of lemon zest
2 grams of paprika
8 grams of minced garlic
1 gram of salt
2 grams of black pepper
For Lemon Pepper Butter
50 grams of light butter
1 gram of lemon zest
3 grams of lemon juice
Pinch of black pepper
Pinch of salt
Cooking Guide For Lemon Butter Chicken Skewers
To make lemon garlic chicken skewers, start by cutting chicken thighs into small, bite-sized pieces. Try to cut them in uniform size for better presentation and uniform cooking.
Then place these pieces in a glass bowl and add lemon zest, paprika, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper, and mix them thoroughly. For garlic, chop the cloves with a knife on the cutting board.
You can cook after marination but I like to give a 30 minutes break so the spices can be well incorporated in the chicken.
Next, thread 4-5 marinated chicken cubes onto wooden skewers.
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F and place the chicken skewers in the basket. Depending on your air fryer size, you can add 3-4 skewers at a time and cook the rest in similar batches.
Air fry for 6-8 minutes at 400 F on each side. In total cook for 14-16 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and has a golden-brown exterior. Enjoy these flavorful and juicy lemon garlic chicken skewers as a delightful dinner meal or lunch.
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Cooking Guide For Lemon Pepper Butter
Now it’s time to make the lemon butter mixture.
Take 50 grams of butter in a small glass bowl. Add 1 gram of lemon zest, and 3 grams of lemon juice, and season with salt and pepper according to your taste. Thoroughly mix all the ingredients together until well combined.
Allow the butter to get soften at room temperature, allowing the lemony flavors to infuse into the butter for a delightful and zesty spread.
In winter, you can microwave the mixture for 1 minute so butter can melt.
You can use a brush to spread butter on skewers.
Once ready, apply this lemon pepper butter mixture on hot chicken skewers, and the butter will melt and infuse quickly. And there you have it, perfectly juicy and soft air fryer lemon pepper chicken thighs ready.
Tips & Notes
1- I use chicken thighs as they have more fat than chicken breasts which makes them crispier.
2- Don’t overcrowd the basket with chicken skewers, add according to the basket size and allow some space between them.
3- This recipe is made using a non-preheated air fryer. So, In case you want to reheat your air fryer, you can adjust the cooking times accordingly.
Side dishes to pair
You can pair different dishes, some of my favorites are:
Garlic Bread: Garlic bread or garlic knots is a tasty option to soak up the delicious lemon-butter sauce from the chicken skewers.
Roasted Vegetables: Roasted vegetables such as asparagus, bell peppers, or zucchini drizzled with a lemon-butter sauce can enhance the overall meal and provide a healthy side.
Smashed Potatoes: Soft and fluffy smashed potatoes are my favorite, they add a comforting element to the dish.
Lemon pepper chicken skewers in the oven
You can make chicken skewers in the oven as well. Just follow the same steps in this recipe for prep and get the chicken marinated and ready to cook. Then follow the below instructions:
1- Preheat the oven to 425°F.
2- Use a glass tray lined up with a baking sheet.
3- Lightly brush the chicken with olive oil.
4- Place the chicken skewers onto the lined baking sheet. Bake for 21-24 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Finally, brush with seasoned butter.
How long to cook chicken skewers in the air fryer?
12-15 minutes are required for cooking chicken skewers in the air fryer. However the cooking time can vary slightly depending on the thickness of chicken cubes, how well they are marinated, and the performance of the air fryer.
The chicken will cook even faster if you marinade it for an entire night before cooking.
Can I use chicken breast instead of boneless chicken thighs for the skewers?
Yes absolutely. You can use chicken breast for making skewers as well. The reason I like to prefer boneless chicken thighs is because there is more fat with them which makes the skewers juicer from the inside and crispier from the outside.
Can I prepare the marinade in advance and store it for future use?
Yes, you can prepare the marinade overnight before cooking the chicken skewers. In fact, the well-marinated chicken cooks more quickly and more evenly. The taste is also better as the spices get well infused in the chicken.
Can I substitute the lemon in the marinade with another citrus fruit, such as lime or orange?
Certainly! Give it a try. The lemon pepper butter marinade for chicken thighs can be customized to your taste preferences. Substituting the lemon with other citrus fruits like lime or orange is a fantastic way to add a unique twist to the flavor profile of the dish.
Can I cook other vegetables with chicken skewers in the air fryer?
Yes, you can cook other vegetables as well. I like to cook bell peppers and onions with chicken skewers. This is the classic pairing that I like the most. You can add veggies of your choice and make your meal more appealing and filling.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 450 grams Boneless chicken thighs
- 3 grams Lemon zest
- 2 grams Paprika
- 8 grams Minced garlic
- 1 gram Salt
- 2 grams Black pepper
- 50 grams Light butter
- 1 gram Lemon zest
- 3 grams Lemon juice
- Pinch of black pepper
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Take chicken thighs and cup them in small pieces with the help of scissors or a knife. Make sure the size is neither too big nor too small.
- Place the chicken pieces in a glass bowl. Add lemon zest, paprika, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper by one to the bowl and mix well with a spatula. You can also use your hands for mixing the chicken with spices.
- Marinate the chicken cubes for 30 minutes.
- Grab 4-5 chicken skewers for skewing chicken cubes. Thread 4-5 chicken cubes onto the wooden skewers.
- Place the chicken skewers in the air fryer basket.
- Cook at 400 F for 6-8 minutes. After that flip their side and air fry for another 4-6 minutes.
- Take out 50 grams of butter in a small glass bowl.
- Add 1g of lemon zest, 3g of lemon juice, and salt and pepper to your taste.
- Mix well and allow the butter to get soft at room temperature.
- Once ready, apply this lemon pepper butter mixture on hot chicken skewers, and the butter will melt and infuse quickly.