Air Fryer Chicken Kabobs

Chicken kabobs in air fryer are a quick and wonderful appetiser or main course. They taste just like grilled skewers and are done much faster.

While I love making the Indian style chicken tikka in the air fryer with a more elaborate marinade, these chicken kabob are more Middle Eastern in their marinade. 

They also require a very short marination time. I generally put together the other elements of the meal and then put them for air frying. They get done in under 10 minutes.

My family loves having them as an appetiser and also in wraps with some lettuce salad.

You may also like: Air fryer chicken thighs, lemon pepper chicken, air fryer teriyaki chicken, crispy chicken wings, frozen chicken patties in air fryer, Air fryer tandoori chicken and fried chicken drumsticks in air fryer.

Try these beef kabobs as well.

Ingredients

1. Chicken cubes: I use chicken breast cut into cubes. You can use the darker meat of the thighs as well. Make sure that the cubes are of similar shape.

2. Spices: I use onion powder, garlic powder, pepper, salt, paprika, cayenne along with lemon juice for marination. I have also used Cajun spice and peri peri seasoning for marination. 

3. Oil: I use olive oil or mustard oil for marination. It is important to use oil as chicken breast does not have any fat and dries out easily when cooking.

4. Peppers and Onions: Cut both of these into cubes and marinate them along with chicken cubes. They taste wonderful with a char. You can use other veggies of choice too.

Tips to Make the Best Air fryer Chicken Kabobs

Generally these kabobs are done on a charcoal grill and have a lovely toasty taste. But making them in the air fryer replicates the charred taste without the mess.

1. Cut chicken cubes and vegetables into similar bite-sized pieces so that they cook evenly.

2. If using wooden skewers cut them to size so that they fit into your air fryer. Also remember to soak them in water so that they don’t catch fire while air frying.

You may use metal skewers too if their size fits.

3. Using a preheated air fryer helps the meat and vegetables to start sizzling right away.

For richer taste, brush with butter when air frying.

4. Do not cook for too long as the chicken dries out and gets stringy. To check if the chicken is cooked, use a meat thermometer. Chicken should be at internal temperature of 165F for it to be cooked.

5. Some juices will drain below the basket. Collect them and spoon over the kabobs or you can use them to make a sauce.

6. You can use any vegetables of choice along with peppers and onions like zucchini, carrots even small florets of broccoli and cauliflower. 

7. Serve them with some chutney or dip of choice.

Stepwise Pictures

Clean and dry chicken cubes. Cut each pepper and onion into squares and keep aside.

Assemble oil and spices along with lemon juice.

Take chicken cubes, pepper and onion into a bowl.

Add spices, lemon juice and oil.

Mix well till everything is well coated.

Keep covered for 30 minutes in fridge to marinate.

If using wooden skewers cut them to size that fits in the air fryer.

Now soak them in water for about 15-20 minutes.

I normally soak them for as long as I marinate the chicken.

Air frying Instructions:

Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 390F or 200C.

Meanwhile, take the skewer and thread the marinated chicken cubes along with vegetables so as to alternate them. 

Try to pierce in the centre of chicken and veggies.

Now brush the air fryer basket with some oil.

Place each skewer inside the air fryer basket.

I could fit 4 skewers or the entire 1 lb. batch at one go in my XL air fryer.

You may need to do batches in case you have a smaller air fryer.

Now air fry for about 8-10 minutes at 390F or 200C till the chicken and veggies are nice and crispy outside and well cooked inside. 

Do not overcook or your chicken will dry out and get stringy. 

You may use a meat thermometer to ensure that the internal temperature of chicken is 165F. 

Take them out and serve hot. Enjoy!

Here's the recipe card:

📖 Recipe Card

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