Description
Ranch Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers are a deliciously juicy and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken pieces seasoned with a blend of ranch spices, garlic, and Parmesan cheese. Cooked to perfection using an air fryer, oven, or grill, these skewers are basted multiple times in a rich garlic Parmesan butter sauce, delivering a comforting yet bold flavor profile perfect for weeknight dinners, parties, or meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken & Seasoning:
- 2 lbs chicken tenders (or thighs/breasts), cut into 3-inch pieces
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1½ tbsp dry ranch seasoning
- 1 tsp dried dill
- 2 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
Garlic Parmesan Butter Sauce:
- 1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter
- 8–10 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp hot sauce (adjust to taste)
- 2 tsp red pepper flakes
- ⅓ cup fresh parsley, minced
- 1 tbsp dry ranch seasoning
- 1 tsp dried dill
- ½ tsp onion powder
Other:
- Wooden skewers (soaked in water for 30 minutes)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: In a bowl, combine all chicken seasonings with olive oil. Add the chicken pieces and toss thoroughly to coat evenly with the mixture. Thread the seasoned chicken tightly onto the soaked wooden skewers.
- Make Garlic Parmesan Sauce: Melt the unsalted butter in a saucepan or microwave. Add the minced garlic and cook gently until fragrant. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, hot sauce, red pepper flakes, fresh parsley, dry ranch seasoning, dried dill, and onion powder. Whisk everything together until well combined. Reserve two-thirds of the sauce for final basting and serve, and use one-third for cooking the chicken.
- Cook using Air Fryer (Primary Method): Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (204°C). Cook 2–3 skewers at a time for 5 minutes. Flip skewers and baste with sauce, then cook for an additional 2 minutes. Flip again, baste, and continue cooking for 5–6 more minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Finish by brushing the reserved garlic Parmesan butter sauce and sprinkling extra Parmesan cheese for an indulgent finish.
- Alternate Oven Method: Preheat the oven to 450°F (232°C). Arrange the skewers on a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake for 14 minutes, flipping and basting with garlic Parmesan butter halfway through cooking. At the end, broil the skewers for 2 minutes to develop a golden, slightly charred finish. Finish with the reserved sauce and extra Parmesan cheese.
- Alternate Grill Method: Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Grill skewers for 5–6 minutes per side, basting frequently with garlic Parmesan butter. Finish with a final drizzle of reserved sauce and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese before serving.
Notes
- Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes before cooking to prevent burning.
- Adjust hot sauce and red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level.
- Chicken can be marinated in the seasoning mix for up to 24 hours ahead for enhanced flavor.
- Leftover skewers can be refrigerated for up to 4 days and reheated in the air fryer or oven.
- Use Parmesan cheese freshly grated for best flavor and texture in the sauce.
- This recipe is naturally gluten-free; serve with gluten-free sides if needed.
- For lower fat content, reduce butter amount or use light Parmesan cheese.
- To keep it kid-friendly, omit the hot sauce and red pepper flakes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Ranch chicken skewers, Garlic Parmesan chicken, Air fryer chicken recipe, Grilled chicken skewers, Party appetizers, Easy chicken skewers, Healthy chicken recipes
