These easy air fryer honey BBQ chicken skewers are a fantastic solution for a quick dinner or a delightful appetizer, perfect for entertaining.
They offer a healthy chicken option that is sure to be a crowd-pleaser, whether you’re hosting a dinner party or just looking for a simple family meal. Each serving provides about 30 grams of protein.
This recipe is designed to be straightforward and uses the convenience of an air fryer to deliver perfectly cooked, flavorful chicken with minimal fuss. You’ll love how quickly these come together, making them ideal for busy weeknights or when you need a tasty dish in a hurry.
Table of Contents
- What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
- Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
- Time Needed From Start To Finish
- How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
- Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
- Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
- How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
Air Fryer Honey BBQ Chicken Skewers
- Total Time: 27-30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
These easy air fryer honey BBQ chicken skewers are a fantastic solution for a quick dinner or a delightful appetizer, perfect for entertaining. They offer a healthy chicken option that is sure to be a crowd-pleaser, whether you’re hosting a dinner party or just looking for a simple family meal. Each serving provides about 30 grams of protein. This recipe is designed to be straightforward and uses the convenience of an air fryer to deliver perfectly cooked, flavorful chicken with minimal fuss. You’ll love how quickly these come together, making them ideal for busy weeknights or when you need a tasty dish in a hurry.
Ingredients
Instructions
1. Prepare the Chicken and Skewers: Start by patting the boneless, skinless chicken breasts dry with paper towels. This helps the seasoning and sauce adhere better. Cut the chicken into 1-inch cubes, aiming for pieces of similar size to ensure even cooking. While you’re doing this, make sure your wooden skewers have been soaking in water for at least 30 minutes; this prevents them from burning during cooking.
2. Create the Marinade: In a medium bowl, combine the olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt. Add the cubed chicken to this bowl and toss well to ensure all the chicken pieces are evenly coated with the seasonings.
3. Thread the Skewers: Carefully thread the seasoned chicken cubes onto the soaked wooden skewers. Try not to pack the chicken too tightly, leaving a small space between each piece. This allows the hot air in the air fryer to circulate properly, ensuring even cooking and crisping.
4. Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375 F (190 C) for about 3-5 minutes. Preheating is important for achieving that desirable crispy exterior and helps the chicken cook more evenly.
5. First Round of Air Frying: Lightly grease the air fryer basket with a little cooking spray to prevent sticking. Place the skewers in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd it. You will likely need to cook them in batches. Air fry for 6 minutes.
6. Apply BBQ Sauce and Finish Cooking: After 6 minutes, carefully remove the basket. Brush the chicken generously with the honey BBQ sauce on all sides. Return the skewers to the air fryer and continue to cook for another 6-9 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165 F (74 C). The sauce should be slightly caramelized and sticky.
7. Rest and Serve: Once cooked, carefully remove the skewers from the air fryer. Let them rest for 2-3 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in more tender and flavorful chicken. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, if desired.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Category: main dish
- Cuisine: american
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Protein: 30
Keywords: chicken, bbq, skewers, air fryer, honey, quick, easy, appetizer, dinner, weeknight
What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
This recipe for air fryer honey BBQ chicken skewers is a true winner because it combines speed, flavor, and health benefits all in one delicious package. It’s perfect for anyone looking for a no-fuss meal that doesn’t compromise on taste. The air fryer ensures the chicken is tender on the inside and slightly caramelized on the outside, without the need for a traditional grill or oven. This makes it an excellent choice for apartment dwellers, those without outdoor grilling space, or anyone who wants to avoid heating up their kitchen. These skewers are incredibly versatile; they can serve as a satisfying main course when paired with some simple sides, or they can be scaled down and presented as an impressive appetizer for gatherings. Kids and adults alike tend to adore the sweet and savory combination of honey BBQ sauce, making this a family-friendly dish that even picky eaters will enjoy. It’s also a smart choice for meal prep, as the cooked chicken can be easily reheated.
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Gathering your ingredients before you start cooking will make the entire process smooth and enjoyable. This recipe uses common pantry staples and fresh chicken, ensuring you won’t need to hunt for obscure items. The beauty of these skewers lies in their simplicity, allowing the flavors of the chicken and the honey BBQ sauce to shine through.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup honey BBQ sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 12 wooden skewers (soaked in water for at least 30 minutes)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)
For simple substitutions, you can easily swap boneless, skinless chicken thighs for the breasts if you prefer a slightly richer, moister texture; just be aware that cooking times might vary slightly. If you don’t have honey BBQ sauce on hand, you can create a similar flavor profile by mixing regular BBQ sauce with a tablespoon or two of honey or maple syrup. Feel free to experiment with different brands of BBQ sauce to find your favorite; a smoky or tangy variety can add another layer of flavor. For a touch of heat, a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce can be added to the marinade. If you don’t have wooden skewers, metal skewers work perfectly well and don’t require soaking.
Time Needed From Start To Finish
One of the best aspects of this recipe is how quickly it comes together, making it ideal for those busy weeknights or when you need a fast appetizer.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (includes cubing chicken and soaking skewers)
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Total Time: 27-30 minutes
This timing assumes you’ve already soaked your wooden skewers, which is a crucial step to prevent them from burning in the air fryer. The actual hands-on cooking time is minimal, allowing you to focus on other tasks or simply relax while your air fryer does the work.
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Making these honey BBQ chicken skewers is incredibly straightforward, even for beginner cooks. Follow these steps for perfectly cooked, flavorful chicken every time.
- Prepare the Chicken and Skewers: Start by patting the boneless, skinless chicken breasts dry with paper towels. This helps the seasoning and sauce adhere better. Cut the chicken into 1-inch cubes, aiming for pieces of similar size to ensure even cooking. While you’re doing this, make sure your wooden skewers have been soaking in water for at least 30 minutes; this prevents them from burning during cooking.
- Create the Marinade: In a medium bowl, combine the olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt. Add the cubed chicken to this bowl and toss well to ensure all the chicken pieces are evenly coated with the seasonings.
- Thread the Skewers: Carefully thread the seasoned chicken cubes onto the soaked wooden skewers. Try not to pack the chicken too tightly, leaving a small space between each piece. This allows the hot air in the air fryer to circulate properly, ensuring even cooking and crisping.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 3-5 minutes. Preheating is important for achieving that desirable crispy exterior and helps the chicken cook more evenly.
- First Round of Air Frying: Lightly grease the air fryer basket with a little cooking spray to prevent sticking. Place the skewers in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd it. You will likely need to cook them in batches. Air fry for 6 minutes.
- Apply BBQ Sauce and Finish Cooking: After 6 minutes, carefully remove the basket. Brush the chicken generously with the honey BBQ sauce on all sides. Return the skewers to the air fryer and continue to cook for another 6-9 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). The sauce should be slightly caramelized and sticky.
- Rest and Serve: Once cooked, carefully remove the skewers from the air fryer. Let them rest for 2-3 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in more tender and flavorful chicken. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, if desired.
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
These air fryer honey BBQ chicken skewers are incredibly adaptable, making them perfect for various occasions and tastes.
For a kid-friendly twist, you can use a milder, sweeter BBQ sauce or even a simple honey-mustard glaze. Kids often love dipping, so offer a side of extra BBQ sauce, ranch dressing, or even a creamy yogurt dip. You can also add some colorful vegetables to the skewers, like bell pepper chunks, red onion, or zucchini, to make them more appealing and boost their nutritional value. Just ensure the vegetable pieces are similar in size to the chicken for even cooking.
When serving these for a party or buffet, arrange them attractively on a large platter. You can place a small bowl of extra honey BBQ sauce in the center for guests to add more if they wish. They pair wonderfully with a variety of sides, making meal planning easy. Consider serving them alongside a fresh green salad, fluffy rice, quinoa, corn on the cob, or a simple potato salad. For a more substantial meal, offer them with baked beans or coleslaw.
You can also experiment with different flavor profiles. Instead of honey BBQ, try a teriyaki glaze, a spicy buffalo sauce, or a zesty lemon-herb marinade. For an extra touch of freshness, a sprinkle of sesame seeds or a squeeze of fresh lime juice just before serving can elevate the flavors.
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
Even simple recipes can have common pitfalls. Knowing what to watch out for will help ensure your air fryer honey BBQ chicken skewers turn out perfectly every time.
One frequent mistake is not soaking wooden skewers. If you skip this step, the skewers can burn or char in the air fryer, potentially affecting the taste of your chicken and creating a mess. Always soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before threading the chicken.
Overcrowding the air fryer basket is another common error. When too many skewers are packed into the basket, the air circulation is hampered, leading to uneven cooking and less crispy chicken. Cook in batches if necessary, ensuring there’s space around each skewer for the hot air to do its job.
Cutting chicken pieces unevenly can result in some pieces being undercooked while others are dry and overcooked. Aim for uniform 1-inch cubes to ensure everything cooks through at the same rate.
Forgetting to preheat the air fryer can also impact the final texture. Preheating helps create an immediate searing effect, leading to a better crust and more evenly cooked chicken. Always give your air fryer a few minutes to come up to temperature.
Finally, not brushing the BBQ sauce on at the right time can lead to burnt sauce. If you apply the sauce too early, the sugars in the honey BBQ sauce can burn before the chicken is fully cooked. Brushing it on during the last few minutes of cooking allows it to caramelize beautifully without scorching.
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
These air fryer honey BBQ chicken skewers are delicious fresh, but they also store and reheat well, making them great for meal prep or enjoying leftovers.
To store cooked skewers, allow them to cool completely to room temperature. Once cooled, remove the chicken from the skewers (this makes storage
FAQs
- Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
- How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
- Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
- Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.
