Description
These Air Fryer Old Bay Chicken Skewers are perfectly seasoned, juicy chicken tenderloins cooked quickly in an air fryer and served with a flavorful Old Bay butter sauce. This recipe combines a zesty blend of Old Bay and lemon pepper spices, offering a deliciously easy appetizer or main dish that’s ready in under an hour.
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)
Instructions
- Prep and Marinate Chicken: Pat the chicken tenderloins dry and cut them into chunks. In a mixing bowl, combine the chicken pieces with olive oil, Old Bay seasoning, and lemon pepper seasoning. Toss to coat evenly and marinate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to develop. Meanwhile, soak 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, distributing the pieces evenly. Arrange the skewers in a single layer inside the air fryer basket without overcrowding to ensure even cooking. Air fry for 18 minutes, flipping the skewers halfway through to brown all sides, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Make Sauce: While the chicken cooks, melt the unsalted butter in a small saucepan over low heat during the last 5 minutes of air frying. Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in mayonnaise (or sour cream), fresh lemon juice, chopped parsley, Old Bay seasoning, and garlic paste. Mix well to create a smooth, flavorful sauce.
- Serve: Once the chicken skewers are cooked through and golden, brush them generously with the prepared Old Bay butter sauce. Serve immediately while hot for a deliciously saucy and flavorful meal or appetizer.
Notes
- Soaking wooden skewers prevents them from burning in the air fryer.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is cooked to a safe 165°F.
- Mayonnaise can be substituted with sour cream in the sauce for a different creamy flavor.
- Adjust seasoning according to taste if you prefer more or less spice.
- These skewers can also be grilled or baked, but air frying ensures a crisp exterior with juicy interior quickly.
