Description

These Air Fryer Old Bay Chicken Skewers are a quick and flavorful meal featuring tender chicken pieces marinated in a zesty blend of Old Bay and lemon pepper seasoning, then air fried to juicy perfection. Served with a buttery, tangy sauce that complements the smoky spices, these skewers make a perfect appetizer or main dish for weeknight dinners or gatherings.

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)

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Instructions

Prep and Marinate Chicken: Pat the chicken tenderloins dry and cut them into chunks. Place the chicken in a bowl, then add olive oil, Old Bay seasoning, and lemon pepper seasoning. Mix thoroughly to coat. Let the chicken 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 onto the soaked wooden skewers, ensuring even distribution. Arrange the skewers in a single layer in the air fryer basket, avoiding overcrowding for even cooking. Cook for 18 minutes, flipping the skewers halfway through cooking. Check that the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
Make Sauce: While the chicken cooks, melt the unsalted butter in a small saucepan over low heat during the last 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in mayonnaise (or sour cream), fresh lemon juice, chopped parsley, Old Bay seasoning, and garlic paste to create a flavorful glaze.
Serve: Once the chicken skewers are cooked, brush them generously with the prepared sauce. Serve the skewers hot for a delicious meal or appetizer.

Notes

Soaking wooden skewers in water prevents them from burning in the air fryer.
Flip skewers halfway through cooking to ensure even air frying.
Use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken is cooked to 165°F for safety.
Mayonnaise or sour cream can be used interchangeably in the sauce according to preference.
Fresh herbs like parsley enhance the flavor of the sauce but can be substituted with dried parsley if needed.