These Air Fryer Old Bay Chicken Skewers are a quick, easy, and flavorful meal that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner or a casual gathering. Tender chicken is marinated in a blend of Old Bay and lemon pepper seasoning, then air-fried to perfection and glazed with a creamy, Old Bay-infused sauce.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Flavorful and Convenient: The combination of Old Bay seasoning and lemon pepper creates a unique and delicious flavor.
- Quick and Easy: The air fryer makes this recipe quick and easy, with minimal prep time and cleanup.
- Healthier Alternative: Air frying provides a healthier alternative to traditional frying methods.
- Versatile: These skewers can be served as an appetizer, main course, or snack.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Skewers:
- Chicken Tenderloins: Provides a lean and tender protein source.
- Olive Oil: Used for marinating the chicken.
- Old Bay Seasoning: A classic seafood seasoning blend.
- Lemon Pepper Seasoning: Adds a citrusy and peppery flavor.
For the Chicken Skewer Sauce/Glaze:
- Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and flavor to the sauce.
- Mayonnaise (or Sour Cream): Adds creaminess and tanginess to the sauce.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: Adds brightness and acidity to the sauce.
- Chopped Parsley: Adds a fresh herb flavor.
- Old Bay Seasoning: Enhances the Old Bay flavor in the sauce.
- Garlic Paste (or Minced Garlic): Adds pungent flavor to the sauce.
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Make Air Fryer Old Bay Chicken Skewers
Step 1: Prep and Season Chicken
Pat chicken tenderloins dry and cut them into chunks. Place the chunks in a bowl with olive oil, Old Bay seasoning, and lemon pepper seasoning. Massage the spices into the chicken and marinate for at least 30 minutes. Soak skewers in water while the chicken is marinating.
Step 2: Thread Chicken onto Skewers
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Thread an even amount of chicken chunks onto each pre-soaked skewer.
Step 3: Air Fry Chicken Skewers
Place the assembled chicken skewers into the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Air fry at 400°F for 18 minutes, flipping the skewers halfway through. Ensure chicken reaches 165°F internally.
Step 4: Make Skewer Sauce
During the last 5 minutes of cooking, prepare the sauce. Melt butter in a saucepan over low heat. Remove from heat and stir in mayonnaise (or sour cream), lemon juice, parsley, Old Bay seasoning, and garlic.
Step 5: Brush Sauce Over Skewers and Serve
Place the cooked chicken skewers on a platter and brush them with the sauce while warm, ensuring they are fully coated. Serve immediately.
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- Pat Chicken Dry: Drying the chicken helps the seasoning adhere better.
- Soak Skewers: Soaking skewers prevents them from burning in the air fryer.
- Don’t Overcrowd: Air fry in batches if necessary to ensure even cooking.
- Use a Meat Thermometer: Check the internal temperature of the chicken for doneness.
- Adjust Seasoning: Add more or less Old Bay or lemon pepper to your liking.
How to Serve
- Appetizer: Serve these skewers as a flavorful appetizer.
- Main Course: Pair them with sides like salad, rice, or roasted vegetables.
- Snack: Enjoy them as a protein-packed snack.
Make Ahead and Storage
Make Ahead
Prepare chicken through step 1 and refrigerate for up to 1 day before continuing with step 2.
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover chicken skewers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating
Reheat the skewers in the air fryer, oven, or microwave until warmed through.
Freezing
Freeze baked chicken skewers before adding the sauce. Reheat from frozen in a 350°F oven for 20 minutes or until warmed through, then coat with sauce.
FAQs
1. Can I make these skewers in the oven?
Yes, you can bake them. Preheat oven to 400°F, bake for 20-25 minutes, then broil for 1-2 minutes until browned.
2. Can I use chicken breasts instead of tenderloins?
Yes, you can use chicken breasts. Cut them into similar-sized pieces as the tenderloins.
3. Can I use a different sauce?
Yes, you can use your favorite dipping sauce instead of the Old Bay glaze.
4. How do I prevent the chicken from drying out?
Don’t overcook the chicken. Use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 165°F.
Print
Air Fryer Old Bay Chicken Skewers Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main-course
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Air Fryer Old Bay Chicken Skewers are a quick and flavorful appetizer or main course. Tender chicken is marinated in Old Bay and lemon pepper seasoning, then air-fried to perfection and brushed with a creamy Old Bay sauce.
Ingredients
For the chicken skewers:
- 1 1/2 lbs chicken tenderloins (about 12 tenderloins)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning
- 2 teaspoons lemon pepper seasoning
For the chicken skewer sauce/glaze:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise (or sour cream)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons chopped parsley
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- 1 heaping teaspoon garlic paste (or minced garlic)
Instructions
- Prep & Season Chicken: Pat the chicken tenderloins dry with a paper towel. Then cut the tenderloins into 3-4 sections, making rough chunks. Place the chunks into a large bowl and cover with oil, Old Bay seasoning, and lemon pepper seasoning. Use your hands (fitted with disposable gloves, if desired) to massage the spices into the chicken. Then set the bowl aside to marinate for at least 30 minutes. While the chicken is resting, place 6 (8-inch) skewers into a vessel and cover with water, ensuring skewers are submerged under water- let skewers soak while chicken is marinating.
- Thread Chicken onto Skewers: After the chicken has rested, they’re ready to air fry. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Then thread an even amount of chicken chunks onto each pre-soaked skewer- I usually get about 8 chunks onto each one. Place the assembled chicken skewers into the air fryer basket, lining them up nicely, careful not to overcrowd the basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you might need to work in batches.
- Air Fry Chicken Skewers: Set the air fryer to 400°F and cook the chicken skewers for 18 minutes, flipping the skewers at the halfway mark. For precision, chicken is cooked through when it has reached 165°F when checked with an internal thermometer.
- Make Skewer Sauce: At the last 5 minutes of the skewers’ cooking time, let’s prepare the sauce. Add the butter into a small saucepan over low heat and stir until melted. Then remove butter from heat and immediately stir in the mayonnaise (or sour cream), lemon juice, parsley, Old Bay seasoning, and garlic- stirring the sauce well until thoroughly combined.
- Brush Sauce over Skewers & Serve: Place the cooked chicken skewers onto a platter/plate and brush them with the sauce while everything is still warm- coating every nook and cranny! Serve these juicy chicken skewers immediately as-is or alongside your favorite sides for a complete meal (we love these with a side salad). Enjoy!
Notes
- Can I make these skewers in the oven?: If you don’t have an air fryer, yes, you can cook these in the oven. Prep, season, and thread chicken onto skewers as directed in the recipe card, above. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lay the skewers onto a foil-lined baking sheet and bake the skewers until cooked through, about 20-25 minutes. Afterwards, turn the oven to the broil function and broil skewers until slightly crisp and browned, about 1-2 minutes.
- Please read the blog post in its entirety for more tips + tricks.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
