Air Fryer Chicken Kabobs Recipe (2024)

If you are looking for a healthy and delicious, easy to make, weeknight recipe you are going to love this Air Fryer Chicken Kabobs recipe. Juicy chunks of chicken breast cooked on skewers along with your favorite vegetables for a quick and easy dinner.

Serve the meat and veggies as is or with a garden side salad for a low-carb meal to help you keep your diet on track. Or serve it with rice, mashed potatoes, or a baked potato for a meal that will keep you feeling full and satisfied for hours.

Although kabobs are most often made on an outdoor grill, there are times when that isn’t practical or even possible. Whether you don’t have a grill or you are stuck inside because of inclement weather, the air fryer becomes your best option to get dinner on the table.

However, before you start adding the chicken and vegetables to the skewers, do yourself a favor and take the extra time to marinate the chicken. Doing so will ensure that your chicken is not only moist and tender, but it will also give the chicken great flavor.

Chicken Marinade

When it comes to marinating chicken breast you only need a few ingredients. Besides salt and pepper, you will need soy sauce, your favorite Chicken seasoning blend and smoked paprika.

Each one of these ingredients are crucial in providing great flavor and also making sure that the chicken is melt in your mouth tender once the kabobs are cooked in the air fryer.

Soy Sauce: Soy sauce serves multiple purposes in a chicken marinade. First, it adds a rich flavor to the chicken. However, it also helps to tenderize the chicken, ensuring it will become nice and tender.

Chicken Seasoning Blend: The purpose of including a chicken seasoning blend in the marinade is to infuse the meat with a well-rounded mix of flavors. There are a variety of pre-made seasonings that you can purchase in the spice aisle at the grocery store.

My personal favorite is McCormick’s Grill Mates Chicken Seasoning which includes a complex blend of ingredients including garlic, onion, salt, pepper, parsley, red and green bell pepper, paprika, and orange peel.

Smoked Paprika: If you want that classic smoky flavor that you typically get from grilled food, be sure to add smoked paprika to the marinade. It’s made from dried and smoked red peppers, and the smokiness gives that iconic barbecue flavor to the chicken, even when cooked in the air fryer.

What Vegetables To Use For Air Fryer Chicken Kabobs

Chicken kabobs can be paired with a variety of vegetables to create a flavorful and well-balanced dish. Here are some popular vegetables to use for your chicken kabobs:

Bell Peppers: Use a mix of red, green, and yellow bell peppers for vibrant colors and sweet flavor.

Onions: Red or yellow onions add a savory and slightly sweet taste. However, it is best to cut them into chunks or wedges for even cooking.

Cherry Tomatoes: These add a burst of sweetness and a juicy texture to the kabobs.

Zucchini or Yellow Squash: Cut into rounds or chunks, squash will add a mild flavor and tender texture to the kabobs.

Mushrooms: Button mushrooms or cremini mushrooms work well. They add an earthy flavor and a meaty texture.

Zesty Peppers (Optional): For a bit of heat, consider adding jalapeño or banana peppers to some of the skewers.

No matter what vegetables that you use be sure to cut the vegetables and chicken into similar-sized pieces to ensure even cooking.

What You Need To Make Chicken Kabobs In An Air Fryer

Making chicken kabobs in an air fryer is a convenient and quick way to enjoy this classic dish. Here’s what you need in terms of equipment:

Air Fryer:

It goes without saying that you will need an air fryer. Although you can put the kabobs directly in the basket, you could also place them on a wire rack or purchase an Air Fryer Kabob Rack.

Skewers:

Be sure that your skewers that you use will fit inside your air fryer. I have purchased small metal skewers, but you can also use wooden skewers. However, you may need to cut your wooden skewers in order for them to fit inside the basket.

I have also used the wooden stirring sticks for coffee and they work perfectly in my Ninja Foodi Pressure Cooker/Air Crisper. Just be sure if you use wooden skewers, make sure to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before threading the chicken and vegetables. This prevents the skewers from burning during the cooking process.

Tongs:

Because you will be adding the kabobs to a hot air fryer basket it is important to use tongs to lower them in the basket. You will also need them for flipping the kabobs half way through the cook time to ensure even cooking. In addition, you will need tongs to remove them from the air fryer.

Steps For Making Air Fryer Chicken Kabobs

1. Marinate the chicken. You can also marinate the vegetables if you prefer.

2. Soak wooden skewers in water while the chicken soaks in the marinade.

3. Thread the marinated chicken and vegetables onto the skewers, alternating ingredients.

4. Preheat the air fryer.

5. Once the air fryer is hot place the skewers in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them for air circulation.

6. Cook at the recommended temperature (located below in the recipe card), flipping the skewers halfway through.

7. Check for doneness using an instant read digital thermometer and then adjust the cooking time if needed.

8. Once cooked, use tongs to carefully remove the skewers from the air fryer.

Serve the chicken and vegetables as is, or pair with a side salad, rice, mashed potatoes or baked potatoes.

Air Fryer Chicken Kabobs Recipe

*Specific measurements and complete recipe instructions are located in a printable recipe card at the bottom of this article. However, be sure to continue to read the tips and tricks to making this recipe below.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon McCormick’s Grill Mates Chicken Seasoning
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• Kosher salt, to taste
• Ground black pepper, to taste
• ½ green pepper, cut into chunks
• ½ red pepper, cut into chunks
• ½ yellow pepper, cut into chunks
• ½ zucchini, sliced into thin rounds
• ¼ red onion, cut into chunks
• 8 grape tomatoes

INSTRUCTIONS

Marinate the chicken by placing the chunks of chicken breast in a resealable plastic bag along with the soy sauce, chicken seasoning, paprika, salt and pepper.

Remove the air from the bag and seal. Refrigerate for at least one hour, but preferably overnight.

Remove the chicken from the marinade and then discard the remaining liquid. Place the chicken and vegetables on the skewers in an alternating pattern.

Spray or brush the chicken kabobs with olive oil cooking spray. Then preheat your air fryer for 3 minutes at 350°F (177°C).

Once the air fryer is hot carefully place the kabobs in the air fryer basket or on a kabob rack. Cook for 8 minutes at 350°F.

Then use tongs to carefully flip the kabobs and cook for an additional 7-10 minutes. *The cook time will depending on the brand and size of your air fryer and the size of your chicken pieces. Be sure to check for doneness after 15 minutes of total cook time.

The chicken is ready when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F when checked with an instant read digital thermometer.

Serve immediately.

Enjoy! Mary

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