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Garlic Parmesan Ranch Chicken Skewers

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  • Author: Evelyn
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 30 minutes skewer soaking)
  • Cook Time: 12–14 minutes (air fryer) / ~16–18 minutes (oven or grill)
  • Total Time: Approx. 35–40 minutes
  • Yield: 6 skewers
  • Category: Appetizer / Main Dish
  • Method: Air Fryer, Oven, or Grill
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Juicy chicken skewers basted in a rich garlic‑parmesan ranch butter sauce—tender, flavorful, and perfect as an appetizer or served over rice.


Ingredients

  • 2 lbs chicken tenders (or thighs or breast), cut into 3‑inch pieces
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 stick butter
  • 810 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup Parmesan, grated
  • 1 tbsp hot sauce (optional for a kick)
  • 2 tsp red pepper flakes
  •  cup fresh parsley, minced
  • 1 tbsp dry ranch seasoning (for sauce)
  • 1 tsp dried dill (for sauce)
  • ½ tsp onion powder (for sauce)
  • 1.5 tbsp dry ranch seasoning (for chicken rub)
  • 1 tsp dried dill (for chicken rub)
  • 2 tsp paprika (for chicken rub)
  • 1 tsp garlic powder (for chicken rub)
  • 1 tsp onion powder (for chicken rub)
  • ½ tsp salt (for chicken rub)
  • ½ tsp pepper (for chicken rub)
  • Wooden skewers, soaked in water at least 30 minutes

Instructions

  1. Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes.
  2. In a bowl, whisk together the chicken rub: olive oil, 1.5 tbsp dry ranch seasoning, 1 tsp dill, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Toss the chicken pieces in this mixture to coat evenly.
  3. Thread the seasoned chicken pieces onto the soaked skewers, packing tightly.
  4. Prepare the garlic‑parmesan butter sauce: in a bowl or microwave‑safe container, melt the butter and garlic, then add grated Parmesan, hot sauce, red pepper flakes, parsley, 1 tbsp ranch seasoning, 1 tsp dried dill, and ½ tsp onion powder. Whisk until smooth. If sauce separates, whisk in 1–2 tbsp softened butter to re‑emulsify.
  5. Reserve one‑third of the sauce for initial basting; keep the remaining portion aside (uncontaminated) for finishing.
  6. Preheat your air fryer to 400 °F (or oven to 450 °F or grill to medium‑high).
  7. Air Fryer Method: Cook 2–3 skewers for 5 min at 400 °F. Flip, baste with reserved sauce, cook additional 2 min. Flip again, baste more, and cook 5–6 min until internal temperature reaches 165 °F (total ~12–14 min). Brush with the clean reserved sauce and extra Parmesan before serving.
  8. Oven Method: Place skewers on a foil‑lined baking sheet; bake at 450 °F for 14 min, flipping and basting a few times. Broil 2 min to brown tops, then baste with reserved sauce and sprinkle with Parmesan.
  9. Grill Method: Grill over direct heat for 5–6 min per side, basting throughout. After cooking, baste with reserved sauce and sprinkle with Parmesan.

Notes

  • Air fryer, oven, and grill methods are all great—choose based on your equipment.
  • If sauce separates, add a bit of softened butter and whisk to bring back smoothness.
  • Serve over warm rice and drizzle leftover garlic‑parmesan butter into the rice for extra flavor.
  • Wooden skewers must be soaked to prevent burning; metal skewers work, too.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 skewer