Description
These Air Fryer Old Bay Chicken Skewers are a flavorful and easy-to-make dish perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or weekend gathering. Tender chicken tenderloins are marinated in a zesty blend of Old Bay and lemon pepper seasoning, then cooked to juicy perfection in the air fryer. Finished with a rich, tangy sauce made from butter, mayonnaise, fresh lemon juice, and garlic, these skewers deliver bold flavors with minimal effort and cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken Skewers:
- 1 ½ lbs chicken tenderloins (about 12 tenderloins), cut into 3-4 pieces each
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning
- 2 teaspoons lemon pepper seasoning
- 6 (8-inch) wooden skewers, soaked in water for at least 30 minutes
For the Chicken Skewer Sauce/Glaze:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise (or sour cream)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- 1 heaping teaspoon garlic paste (or minced garlic)
Instructions
- Prep and Marinate Chicken: Pat the chicken tenderloins dry and cut each into 3-4 pieces. In a large bowl, combine the chicken pieces with olive oil, Old Bay seasoning, and lemon pepper seasoning. Mix well to coat all pieces thoroughly. Cover and let marinate for at least 30 minutes to absorb the flavors. Meanwhile, soak the wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning during cooking.
- Air Fry Chicken: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Thread the marinated chicken pieces evenly onto each soaked wooden skewer. Arrange the skewers in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd them for even cooking. Air fry the skewers for 18 minutes, flipping them halfway through to ensure they cook evenly. Use a meat thermometer to check that the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Make Sauce: In the last 5 minutes of cooking, melt the unsalted butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Remove the butter from heat and stir in mayonnaise (or sour cream), fresh lemon juice, chopped parsley, Old Bay seasoning, and garlic paste until smooth and well combined.
- Serve: Once the chicken skewers are cooked through, brush them generously with the prepared sauce. Serve immediately while hot for best flavor and juiciness.
Notes
- Soaking wooden skewers in water before cooking prevents them from burning in the air fryer.
- You can substitute sour cream for mayonnaise in the sauce for a slightly different flavor and creaminess.
- Ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F for safe consumption.
- Feel free to add extra Old Bay seasoning to the sauce for a more intense flavor.
- Serve with a side of fresh salad or rice for a complete meal.
