Ranch Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers Recipe
Introduction
Ranch Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers are a flavorful and juicy dish that combines the tangy zest of ranch seasoning with the rich taste of garlic and Parmesan. Perfect for the air fryer, oven, or grill, these skewers are easy to make and sure to become a family favorite.
Ingredients
- 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
- 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
- Wooden skewers (soaked in water for 30 minutes)
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, mix all chicken seasonings (ranch seasoning, dried dill, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper). Add the chicken pieces and olive oil, then toss to coat thoroughly. Thread the chicken tightly onto the soaked wooden skewers.
- Step 2: For the garlic Parmesan butter sauce, melt the butter in a saucepan or microwave. Add the minced garlic and cook gently until fragrant. Stir in Parmesan cheese, hot sauce, red pepper flakes, fresh parsley, dry ranch seasoning, dried dill, and onion powder. Whisk to combine. Reserve about two-thirds of the sauce for basting and final finishing; use the remaining third during cooking.
- Step 3: Air Fryer Method: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Cook 2–3 skewers at a time for 5 minutes. Flip, baste with sauce, and cook 2 more minutes. Flip again, baste, and cook 5–6 more minutes until chicken reaches 165°F internally. Finish with reserved garlic butter and extra Parmesan.
- Step 4: Oven Method: Preheat the oven to 450°F. Place skewers on a foil-lined baking sheet and bake for 14 minutes, flipping and basting halfway through. Broil for 2 minutes to finish. Drizzle with reserved sauce and sprinkle extra Parmesan before serving.
- Step 5: Grill Method: Grill skewers over medium-high heat for 5–6 minutes per side, basting with garlic butter as they cook. Finish with a drizzle of the reserved sauce and extra Parmesan.
Tips & Variations
- For extra heat, increase the red pepper flakes or hot sauce in the butter sauce.
- Use chicken thighs for juicier skewers or breasts for a leaner option.
- Try serving with cauliflower rice or a fresh cucumber salad for a low-carb meal.
- Marinate the chicken overnight for even deeper flavor.
- Skip the chili flakes to make it kid-friendly.
Storage
Store cooked skewers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Reheat in the air fryer or oven to restore crispness and warmth. The garlic Parmesan butter sauce can be stored separately and reheated gently before serving.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use other cuts of chicken for this recipe?
Yes, chicken breasts, thighs, or tenders all work well. Just cut them into evenly sized pieces to ensure they cook uniformly.
Is it necessary to soak the wooden skewers?
Soaking wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes prevents them from burning during cooking, especially when using high heat like grilling or air frying.
Print
Ranch Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Ranch Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers feature tender chicken pieces marinated in a flavorful blend of ranch seasoning, paprika, garlic, and herbs, then cooked to juicy perfection and basted in a rich garlic Parmesan butter sauce. Perfectly suited for air frying, baking, or grilling, these skewers offer a crowd-pleasing, versatile dish with bold flavors and an irresistible cheesy, garlicky finish. Ideal for quick dinners, meal prep, or party appetizers, they deliver maximum taste with minimal fuss.
Ingredients
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 the chicken seasonings with olive oil. Add the chicken pieces and toss well to coat thoroughly. Thread the seasoned chicken tightly onto the soaked wooden skewers to ensure even cooking.
- Make Garlic Parmesan Sauce: Melt the butter in a saucepan or microwave, then add the minced garlic and gently sauté to release flavor. Stir in Parmesan cheese, hot sauce, red pepper flakes, fresh parsley, and the remaining dry seasonings. Whisk everything together until smooth. Reserve two-thirds of this sauce for basting after cooking, and keep one-third for cooking the chicken.
- Cook (Air Fryer Method): Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Place 2-3 skewers in the basket and cook for 5 minutes. Flip the skewers and baste with the sauce reserved for basting. Cook 2 more minutes, flip, baste again, then continue cooking for 5 to 6 more minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Finish by brushing with the reserved garlic butter sauce and sprinkling extra Parmesan cheese.
- Alternate Oven Method: Preheat oven to 450°F (232°C). Lay skewers on a foil-lined baking sheet, bake for 14 minutes, flipping halfway through and basting regularly. Broil for 2 minutes at the end for a golden, slightly charred finish. Finish with remaining sauce and Parmesan.
- Alternate Grill Method: Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Grill skewers for 5-6 minutes per side, basting with garlic butter sauce throughout cooking. Finish with a final drizzle of sauce and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for extra richness.
Notes
- Wooden skewers must be soaked in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning during cooking.
- You can use chicken thighs or breasts instead of tenders if preferred.
- Adjust hot sauce and red pepper flakes according to your heat preference, or omit for milder flavor.
- Made-ahead: Marinate chicken up to 24 hours in advance; prepare sauce ahead and reheat before use.
- Skewers keep well refrigerated up to 4 days and reheat nicely in the air fryer or oven.
- Serve with low-carb sides like cauliflower rice or a fresh vegetable salad, or in wraps for variety.
- For a lighter version, use a reduced-fat Parmesan and limit butter to reduce saturated fat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes (air fryer method)
- Category: Appetizer, Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Ranch chicken skewers, garlic parmesan chicken, air fryer chicken, grilled chicken skewers, party appetizers, easy chicken recipe, ranch seasoning chicken
