Description
These Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Skewers are a quick and flavorful meal featuring juicy, marinated chicken cubes infused with lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, garlic, and coarse black pepper. Cooked to perfection in an air fryer, they offer a crispy exterior while staying tender inside. Perfect for a healthy and easy dinner or a crowd-pleasing appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Marinade
- 1.5 lbs (680g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 2 teaspoons coarse black pepper
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
For Serving & Garnish
- Lemon wedges, for serving
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Equipment
- 8-10 skewers (if using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before use)
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, coarse black pepper, minced garlic, dried oregano, and salt to create a well-blended marinade.
- Marinate the Chicken: Add the cubed chicken pieces to the marinade and toss thoroughly to ensure every piece is evenly coated. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours, to allow the flavors to penetrate the chicken.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Set the air fryer to 380°F (193°C) and allow it to preheat for about 5 minutes to ensure even cooking.
- Assemble the Skewers: Thread the marinated chicken cubes onto the soaked skewers, spacing the pieces slightly apart to allow hot air circulation during cooking.
- Arrange in Air Fryer Basket: Place the skewers in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure the pieces don’t overlap. Depending on your air fryer’s size, you might need to cook the skewers in batches.
- Cook the Chicken: Air fry the skewers for 10-12 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking process. Cook until the chicken turns golden brown and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to ensure doneness.
- Serve: Carefully remove the cooked skewers from the air fryer. Serve hot with fresh lemon wedges and a sprinkle of chopped parsley for garnish.
Notes
- Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes before threading chicken to prevent burning.
- Use a meat thermometer to check that chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
- You can substitute chicken breasts with thighs for juicier results.
- Adjust black pepper quantity to taste depending on spice preference.
- For additional zest, sprinkle extra lemon zest on the cooked skewers just before serving.
