Air-Fried Chicken Skewers – Sweet, Savory Glazed Thighs Cooked Crispy in Air Fryer
If you’re craving something sweet, savory, and just a little sticky in the best way possible, these Air-Fried Chicken Skewers might be your next favorite recipe.
Tender chicken thighs marinated in a apple juice glaze, threaded onto skewers, and crisped to perfection in the air fryer… what’s not to love?
They’re easy enough for a weeknight dinner, but flavorful enough to impress guests too.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Chicken and Marinade:
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1.5-inch pieces
- 1/4 cup apple juice
- 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger (or 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger)
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water (for thickening sauce later)
- Skewers (wooden or metal)
How to Prepare the Marinade
In a medium bowl, whisk together the apple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes. Set aside about 1/4 cup of the marinade in a separate container and refrigerate it, you’ll use this later for glazing.
Add the chicken pieces to the remaining marinade. Cover and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or up to overnight for maximum flavor.
Prepping the Skewers
If you’re using wooden skewers, soak them in water for about 20 to 30 minutes so they don’t burn in the air fryer.
Once the chicken is done marinating, thread the pieces onto the skewers, leaving a little space between each piece to allow air to circulate. This helps everything cook evenly and get that nice crispy texture.
Air Frying the Chicken Skewers
Preheat your air fryer to 380°F. Lightly spray the basket with oil to prevent sticking.
Place the skewers in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches.
Air fry for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway through. The chicken should be golden, slightly crispy on the edges, and cooked through to 165°F internally.
Glazing the Skewers
While the skewers are cooking, take the reserved marinade and heat it in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the cornstarch and water mixture and cook until the sauce thickens into a glaze, about 2 to 3 minutes.
Brush the glaze over the skewers right after they come out of the air fryer. You can even toss the cooked chicken pieces in the glaze if you’re not serving them on skewers.
Serving Suggestions
These glazed chicken skewers pair perfectly with steamed rice, roasted veggies, or even tucked into lettuce wraps.
If you’re serving them for a gathering or appetizer spread, try sprinkling on some sesame seeds and chopped green onions for a little extra flair.
Tips for Success
- Cut Evenly: Try to keep your chicken pieces uniform in size so they cook evenly.
- Marinate Longer: The longer you marinate, the deeper the flavor. Overnight is best if you have the time.
- Don’t Crowd the Basket: Leave space between the skewers so they crisp up nicely.
Make It Your Own
Feel free to tweak the marinade to your liking.
Want it spicier? Add more red pepper flakes or a bit of hot sauce.
Want it tangier? A splash more vinegar will do the trick.
You can even try it with boneless chicken breast or swap the chicken for shrimp.
Air-fried bourbon chicken skewers are a delicious way to bring bold flavor to your table without much fuss. They’re quick, customizable, and super satisfying.
Whether you’re hosting, meal prepping, or just feeding the family, this recipe is sure to become a favorite.
Try it out and let me know how it goes. See you in my next post!
