Description
Enjoy tender and juicy Air Fryer Lemon Butter Chicken Skewers bursting with bright lemony flavor and savory, aromatic herbs. Quick to marinate and effortless to cook in the air fryer, these skewers are brushed with a rich, fresh lemon butter finish for an irresistible main course that’s perfect for weeknights or special gatherings.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Chicken & Marinade:
- Zest of 1 lemon (about 1 tsp)
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp mayonnaise (or sub plain yoghurt or olive oil)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 large cloves garlic, finely grated
- 1 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 3/4 tsp paprika
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 640g / 1.4lb boneless skinless chicken thighs, sliced into bite-sized pieces
For the Lemon Butter:
- 75g / 5 tbsp butter, softened
- 1 tbsp very finely diced fresh parsley
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- 1/4 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/8 tsp salt, or to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the lemon zest, lemon juice, mayonnaise, olive oil, grated garlic, dried oregano, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Add the chicken pieces and stir until evenly coated. Cover and let the chicken marinate for 30 minutes. (If the chicken is just out of the fridge, marinate at room temperature. If marinating longer, refrigerate, but don’t exceed 60 minutes.)
- Assemble Skewers: Thread the marinated chicken onto 4 skewers, leaving a gap at both ends. Pack the pieces compactly to ensure juiciness. Brush over any leftover marinade from the bowl onto the skewers, then thoroughly wash the brush.
- Air Fry the Chicken: Place the skewers in the air fryer basket. Cook at 200°C/400°F for 13 minutes.
- Prepare Lemon Butter: While the chicken cooks, combine softened butter, fresh parsley, lemon juice, paprika, black pepper, and salt in a small bowl. Mix until well blended and set aside.
- Baste and Finish Cooking: After 13 minutes, flip the skewers with tongs and brush over about 1/4 of the prepared lemon butter. Air fry for 1 more minute, flip again, and brush over another 1/4 of the butter. Cook for a final minute or until the chicken is lightly charred and cooked through (internal temp should reach 165°F/74°C).
- Serve: Remove the skewers from the air fryer. Brush any melted butter from the fryer base onto the skewers, then liberally brush with the remaining lemon butter. For extra lemon flavor, squeeze over more fresh lemon juice if desired. Serve hot, optionally with orzo and asparagus.
Notes
- Lemon zest: Avoid the bitter white pith, only use the bright yellow skin for zest.
- Lemon juice: The base recipe is subtly lemony; squeeze extra juice over after cooking if a stronger lemon flavor is desired.
- Mayonnaise: Helps bind and tenderize; can substitute with plain yoghurt or just oil.
- Marinating time: Acidic marinades work quickly; don’t exceed 60 minutes or chicken may become rubbery.
- Serving suggestion: Pairs well with orzo tossed in butter, parmesan, and starchy water, plus roasted asparagus.
- Calories are estimated per skewer.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 skewer (1/4 recipe)
- Calories: 275
- Sugar: 0.5g
- Sodium: 570mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 21g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
