Meet your new weeknight hero: Air Fryer Old Bay Chicken Skewers! Juicy bite-sized chicken pieces are marinated in zesty Old Bay and lemon pepper, air fried to golden perfection, and finished with a luscious garlicky butter sauce. This dish is easy enough for busy schedules yet packed with so much flavor it feels like a treat every single time!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super Flavorful: The combination of Old Bay and lemon pepper creates bold, zesty chicken that genuinely wakes up your taste buds.
- Easy & Fast: Thanks to the air fryer, these skewers go from marinating to table in about 35 minutes—perfect for busy nights.
- Crowd-Pleaser: The juicy, saucy skewers are always a hit at parties, family dinners, or even casual cookouts—everyone loves them!
- Endlessly Adaptable: You can swap proteins, tweak the spice, or get creative with sides to suit any craving or dietary need.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe keeps things simple, but every ingredient brings something important to the party. Each one has a key role in building flavor, keeping the chicken juicy, or finishing these Air Fryer Old Bay Chicken Skewers with irresistible flair!
- Chicken tenderloins: These stay moist and tender, and cut perfectly into bite-sized chunks for skewers.
- Olive oil: Helps the seasoning stick and locks in juiciness when air frying.
- Old Bay seasoning: That signature Chesapeake flavor—spicy, salty, and totally craveworthy—runs through every bite.
- Lemon pepper seasoning: Brightens things up with zesty citrus and a peppery kick.
- Unsalted butter: Melts into the sauce, making the glaze silky and packed with flavor.
- Mayonnaise (or sour cream): Adds creaminess and helps the sauce stick to the chicken.
- Fresh lemon juice: Brings freshness and a bit of tang to the glaze.
- Chopped parsley: Finishes the sauce with a burst of color and herbal brightness.
- Garlic paste (or minced garlic): Because everything’s better with fresh garlic in the mix!
Variations
The beauty of Air Fryer Old Bay Chicken Skewers is how easy they are to customize to your taste or pantry! Swap proteins, adjust the spice, or put your own spin on the sauce—it’s all fair game.
- Try Different Proteins: Replace chicken with shrimp, tofu, or even pork—just tweak the cooking time as needed for your choice.
- Dial Up the Heat: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a splash of hot sauce to the marinade for spicier skewers.
- Make It Dairy-Free: Use vegan butter and dairy-free mayo (or extra olive oil in the sauce) if you prefer.
- Fresh Veggies on the Skewer: Alternate pieces of bell pepper, red onion, or zucchini with the chicken for more color and nutrition.
How to Make Air Fryer Old Bay Chicken Skewers
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
Start by patting your chicken tenderloins dry, then cut them into small, even chunks—perfect for threading! Toss the pieces in a bowl with olive oil, Old Bay, and lemon pepper, massaging everything in for full coverage. Let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes; this rest time lets all those bold flavors soak in and keeps the chicken extra juicy.
Step 2: Prep the Skewers
While the chicken’s marinating, soak wooden skewers in water. This prevents them from burning or splintering in the hot air fryer—a little kitchen trick that makes a big difference!
Step 3: Thread and Air Fry
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Thread the juicy, seasoned chicken onto your soaked skewers, fitting about 8 pieces per skewer. Arrange them in a single layer in the air fryer basket, working in batches if needed. Cook for 18 minutes, making sure to flip them at the halfway mark so both sides turn crisp and golden.
Step 4: Make the Butter Sauce
During the final 5 minutes of cooking, melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat, then stir in mayo (or sour cream), lemon juice, parsley, Old Bay, and garlic. Whisk until silky and completely blended—the aroma will have you swooning!
Step 5: Glaze and Serve
Transfer the hot chicken skewers to a plate and generously brush all over with your zingy butter sauce while everything is still warm. Now’s the moment to admire how perfectly those Air Fryer Old Bay Chicken Skewers look—and then dig in!
Pro Tips for Making Air Fryer Old Bay Chicken Skewers
- Optimal Marinating: Don’t skip the 30-minute marinate—this step is secret to flavor-packed and juicy chicken on your skewers.
- Single Layer Success: For even cooking and that gorgeous browning, never stack your skewers; work in batches if necessary to keep that air circulating.
- Sauce While Warm: Brush the buttery glaze on as soon as the skewers come out of the fryer; it melts instantly into every crevice for extra flavor.
- Check Temperature: Use an instant-read thermometer and aim for 165°F for perfectly cooked, never dry, chicken every time.
How to Serve Air Fryer Old Bay Chicken Skewers
Garnishes
Finish your Air Fryer Old Bay Chicken Skewers with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley, a light grating of lemon zest, or even an extra dusting of Old Bay for punch. This not only makes them look party-ready but bursts every bite with a touch more color and freshness!
Side Dishes
These skewers are delicious with crisp green salads, pillowy rice, or classic potato salad. If you want to keep things extra summery, pair them with grilled corn on the cob or a tangy slaw—anything with crunch and brightness will balance those savory Old Bay notes.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the skewers over mini pitas or folded naan for handheld wraps, or lay them atop a big serving platter with a bowl of that luscious sauce for dipping. You can even slide the chicken chunks off the skewer into a fresh salad—there’s no wrong way to enjoy them!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftover Air Fryer Old Bay Chicken Skewers (lucky you!), store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Let them cool to room temp before packing to keep them from getting soggy.
Freezing
You can freeze cooked chicken skewers! Remove the chicken from the skewers and place in a freezer bag—sauce and all. They’ll keep for up to 2 months and are perfect for easy meal prep or quick lunches later on.
Reheating
To reheat, pop the chicken (skewered or not) back in the air fryer at 350°F for just a few minutes until hot and crispy. Or, microwave gently for a softer bite; just watch out not to overcook so they stay nice and juicy.
FAQs
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Can I make Air Fryer Old Bay Chicken Skewers if I don’t have an air fryer?
Absolutely! Just follow all the same steps, but cook your skewers on a foil-lined baking sheet in a 400°F oven for about 20–25 minutes. For a little crispiness, finish under the broiler for a couple of extra minutes.
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What’s the best way to keep chicken skewers juicy in the air fryer?
The secret is in the marinade—let the chicken rest with the spices and oil for at least 30 minutes. Thread the chunks evenly and don’t overcook; pulling them at 165°F ensures they stay super moist.
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Is it okay to prepare Air Fryer Old Bay Chicken Skewers ahead of time?
Yes! You can marinate and thread the chicken on skewers up to one day ahead—just cover and refrigerate until you’re ready to air fry and glaze. This makes them perfect for parties or meal prep.
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Can I use metal skewers in the air fryer for this recipe?
You can! Just make sure they fit comfortably in your air fryer basket—metal skewers don’t require soaking and are reusable, making clean-up a breeze.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, these Air Fryer Old Bay Chicken Skewers are the kind of easy meal that lifts your mood and wins over everyone at the table. If you crave vibrant seasoning, tender juicy bites, and finger-licking goodness—all with minimal cleanup—this one’s for you. Give them a try and let them become a staple in your dinnertime rotation!
Print
Air Fryer Old Bay Chicken Skewers Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Fry
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Juicy and flavorful chicken skewers seasoned with Old Bay and lemon pepper, cooked to perfection in the air fryer, and served with a buttery, tangy sauce. A delicious and easy-to-make dish perfect for any occasion.
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 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 blog post in its entirety for more tips + tricks.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 skewer
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
