Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs chicken tenders, thighs, or breast
• 2 tbsp olive oil

For the Garlic Parmesan Butter Sauce:

• 1 stick butter
• 8-10 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan
• 1 tbsp hot sauce (adjust to taste)
• 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
• 1/3 cup fresh parsley, minced

For Chicken Seasonings:

• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Instructions:

1. Begin by soaking wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning.
2. In a small bowl, mix together the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to create the chicken seasoning mixture. Set aside.
3. Cut the chicken into 3-inch pieces and place them in a large bowl or zip-top bag. Toss the chicken with olive oil and the prepared seasoning mixture, ensuring all pieces are evenly coated.
4. Thread the seasoned chicken onto the skewers tightly, leaving no space in between the pieces.
5. To make the Garlic Parmesan Butter Sauce, combine the butter and minced garlic in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat until partially melted. Then add the red pepper flakes, hot sauce, minced parsley, and grated parmesan. Whisk until well combined. If the sauce separates, add 1-2 tablespoons of softened butter and stir to re-emulsify.
6. Reserve 1/3 of the sauce for basting the par-cooked chicken. Use a separate basting brush and container to avoid cross-contamination.
7. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook 2-3 skewers at a time for 5 minutes. Flip the skewers, baste with the sauce, and cook for an additional 2 minutes. Flip them again, baste with more sauce, and cook for another 5-6 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Total cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer.
8. Once cooked, baste the skewers with the reserved garlic sauce and sprinkle with extra parmesan before serving.

Alternate Cooking Methods:

Oven Preparation:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the chicken skewers on a rimmed baking sheet lined with foil. Cook for 14 minutes, flipping halfway through and basting with butter. Broil for an additional 2 minutes to get golden brown tops. Finish by basting with the remaining butter sauce and sprinkling with leftover parmesan.

Grill Preparation:

• Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Place the skewers over direct heat and grill each side for 5-6 minutes, basting with butter throughout. Remove from the grill, baste with the remaining butter sauce, and sprinkle with leftover parmesan before serving.