If you want to impress your guests, bake chicken kebabs in small bite-sized pieces. Serve them as an appetizer or as a meal in a bun or on top of a salad.
They bake up in just 10 minutes, which is the best thing about this appetizer. If you use an air fryer, they cook even faster!
These juicy and tasty kebabs will be a hit at your next event! I’ve been making them a lot lately; I just served them at a Diwali dinner party.
You can make these a day ahead and then reheat them the day of your party – either on a pan or in the oven. They are easy and quick to make, taste delicious, and go perfectly 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 quick and easy way to make dinner that tastes great and can be done in an air fryer. The fast, high-heat air flow in an air fryer makes the chicken tender and juicy on the inside and charred on the outside. But timing is important to make sure the kabobs don’t get too done or too raw. So how long should you really cook chicken kabobs in an air fryer?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know, from prep to cook time, to master air fryer chicken kabobs and wow your family every time!
Choosing the Right Chicken for Kabobs
Using the right cut of chicken is the first step to making tasty kabobs. For air fryer kabobs, chicken breasts or thighs that are boneless and skinless work best.
Chicken breasts are lean and cook up quickly in the air fryer. Thighs have a bit more fat so they stay juicier and have more flavor. 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.
It’s easy to make: just mix olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and your favorite herbs and spices. 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
You can use metal or wood skewers. If you use wood, make sure to soak it in water first to keep it from 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.
While testing this recipe, I tried all three methods and found baking to be the easiest method and there was nearly no difference in flavor between baking vs. 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 only bad thing about the patties is that they can only fit a few in the air fryer at a time. Still, not a bad option if you’re meal prepping and just wanting to cook a few for the 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 make these into thicker patties or burgers; just change the baking time. For example, if you make them twice as thick, you’ll need to bake them for twice as long (about 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 do you cook chicken kabobs in the air fryer?
Air fryer chicken kebabs typically take 15-20 minutes to cook at 400°F (200°C), flipping halfway through. The exact cooking time can vary depending on the size of the chicken pieces and your specific air fryer model.
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. Turn the meat over once every half an hour until it reaches the desired internal temperature (10 to 12 minutes for medium, 14 to 15 minutes for medium-well, and 16 to 17 minutes for well-done).
How long does it take to make chicken kabobs in air fryer?
These are typically ready to eat in about 9 minutes depending on the heat your air fryer puts out. 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. Each air fryer cooks slightly differently, so make sure that the chicken is fully cooked through before removing the kabobs from 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. Smooth out the skewers so they fit in the basket, leaving space between each one so air can flow.
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.