Air Fryer Chicken Kabobs

Air Fryer Chicken Kabobs are the weeknight shortcut to that grilled-kabob flavor without stepping outside. I built this version around a honey soy marinade that does two jobs at once: it seasons the chicken all the way through and helps it stay tender in the air fryer’s high heat. Thread the marinated chicken and vegetables onto skewers, air fry until juicy and lightly charred at the edges, and dinner is on the table fast. These kabobs are naturally dairy-free, easy to customize, and they work just as well for a casual family dinner as they do for entertaining.

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Quick and Easy Chicken Kabobs

Have you ever wondered if it’s possible to cook kabobs in your air fryer? Well, yes, it is, and it’s a quick and easy process. In fact, you can make any kabobs on skewers in your air fryer – beef, lamb, pork, shrimp, fruits, and vegetables.

Note that kabobs can be spelled kebabs or kababs – they are the same thing, just different arrangements of vowels.

Air fryer chicken skewers make for a light and refreshing meal – perfect not just for spring or summer but for any time of the year. Tender breast pieces of chicken and vegetables are marinated in simple spices and then air-fried until tender and juicy. 

Why You Should Try This Chicken Kabobs in Air Fryer Recipe

You can dispense with the grill and make these air fryer chicken kabobs in your kitchen quickly and easily. They are so good, everyone will think they were grilled! To get grill marks on your air fryer chicken kabobs, place them on a trivet/rack inside the air fryer basket.

One of the pleasures of cooking with an air fryer is that you can cook indoors when it’s too hot outside to barbecue. This air fryer chicken shish kabob recipe gives you a great appetizer or a healthy, delicious dinner the whole family will love.

Is Air-Fried Chicken Healthy?

Air frying uses 80% less fat than traditional frying, making it a much healthier alternative. The usual deep-fried recipe needs 2 to 3 cups of oil, whereas with the air fryer, you only need about a tablespoon. 

Air Fryer Chicken Kebabs – Ingredients You Will Need

Here’s a handy list for this chicken kabobs recipe. The exact measurements are in the printable recipe card below.

• Boneless skinless chicken breasts – Lean, quick-cooking protein that stays tender when marinated.
• Honey – Adds sweetness, helps caramelize, and balances soy sauce.
• Soy sauce – Brings salt, umami, and depth to the marinade.
• Olive oil – Helps the marinade coat and keeps the chicken moist.
• Zucchini – Cooks quickly and stays tender-crisp.
• Red onion – Adds sweetness and a little bite.
• Yellow bell pepper – Sweet, colorful, and cooks evenly.
• Green bell pepper – Slightly more savory than red or yellow, and adds color contrast.
• Cherry tomatoes – Add juicy bursts of flavor. Thread carefully so they do not split too early.
• Garlic – Adds classic savory flavor.
• Paprika – Adds mild warmth and color.
• Salt and pepper – Balances and seasons everything.
• Cilantro or parsley – Fresh garnish for serving.

How to Make This Chicken Kabobs in Air Fryer Recipe

These air fryer chicken skewers are easy to put together. Here are the basic steps: 

1. Combine the honey, soy sauce, olive oil, garlic, and seasonings.
2. Pour the mixture over the chicken (reserving 1/4 cup). 
3. Cover and marinate for 30 to 60 minutes.
4. Assemble the kabobs. 
5. Cook in the air fryer at 375°F for 15 minutes. Halfway through, flip the kabobs and brush with the remaining sauce.

Recipe Notes

• Cut the chicken and vegetables into even-sized pieces, so they cook evenly
• You can reserve a portion of the sauce for dipping (or make extra). However, be sure it’s not any sauce that has touched the raw chicken but a new or entirely reserved portion.
• Be sure first to measure your wooden skewers to make sure they fit inside the air fryer.
• Soak wooden skewers in water for a few minutes while the chicken is marinating. This will stop them from burning during cooking.
• If you use metal skewers, be careful not to burn your hands when picking them up from the air fryer.
• Your skewers will be hot while rotating, so be sure to wear protection.
• Depending on your combinations, you may have leftover pieces of veggies. Consider creating veggie-only kabobs with those.
• The ingredients on the kabobs will shrink slightly as they cook.
• Some juices will drain below the basket. Collect and spoon them over the kabobs. Or keep for other uses.

Recipe Variations

These air fryer chicken shish kabobs are keto and low-carb-friendly. Here are some ways to change them up if you choose:

• Use other veggie combos – mushrooms, carrots, small florets of cauliflower and broccoli.
• If you like heat, add some hot peppers.

You can also vary the marinade for this air fryer chicken kabob recipe. Here are some suggestions:

Lemon Garlic Marinade

• 1/4 cup lemon juice (from 2 fresh lemons)
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika

Greek Yogurt Marinade

Marinate for a few hours as the yogurt’s mild acidity will tenderize the chicken.

• 1 cup Greek yogurt
• 1 teaspoon each of garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, turmeric, cayenne, and paprika
• Salt and paper
• Juice of a lemon (1/2 for the marinade and 1/2 for squeezing over the cooked kabobs

Apple Ginger Marinade

• Honey, apple juice, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, cider vinegar. Get the honey apple ginger chicken marinade recipe.

How to Serve Air Fryer Chicken Kebabs

Chicken kabobs are great as an appetizer when entertaining, or as a light dinner the whole family will appreciate.

Serve your air fryer chicken kabobs over buttery rice, wild rice, or with tortillas or garlic bread to round out the meal.

The following side dishes would pair well with air-fried chicken kabobs:

• Air Fryer Corn on the cob
• Corn Salsa
• Greek Roasted Potatoes
• Greek Salad
• Potato salad
• Rice Pilaf
• Wedge salad

How to Store Air Fryer Chicken Shish Kabobs

Fridge: Leftover cooked chicken kabobs can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Freezer: Frozen cooked kabobs will keep for up to 3 months in the freezer.

Reheat: If the kabobs are frozen, thaw them first. You have several reheating options. Click here for tips on preventing your chicken kabobs from drying out when reheating.

How to Flash Freeze Kabobs 

You can enjoy this family-friendly dinner on a busy weeknight. Make batches of kabobs ahead of time, pop them in the freezer, then air fry straight from frozen – no thawing required! Yes, it really is that easy. Here’s what to do:

1. Freeze your kabobs in a single layer on a baking sheet before packaging them for long-term storage. This will ensure they freeze quickly and evenly.
2. After your kabobs are flash-frozen, wrap the whole baking sheet in heavy-duty aluminum foil, or move the frozen skewers to zip-top freezer bags. 
3. When cooking from frozen, add an additional 8 to 10 minutes of cooking time. 

Favorite Air Fryer Recipes

• Air Fryer Baked Potato
• Air Fryer Burgers
• Air Fryer Corn on the Cob
• Air Fryer Grilled Cheese
• Air Fryer Hot Dogs
• Air Fryer Shrimp Tempura

Popular Chicken Recipes

• Baked Chicken Parmesan
• Chicken Croquettes
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• Grilled Chicken Sandwich
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Check out more of my easy chicken recipes and the best air fryer recipes on CopyKat!