Air Fryer Chicken Kabobs Recipe

Name: Air Fryer Chicken Kabobs Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Ingredients: 2 pounds (900g) skinless chicken thighs (or chicken breasts, cut into bite-size cubes); 1/2 cup (120ml) Tamari soy sauce (or regular if not gluten-free); 1/4 cup (60ml) coconut milk; 3 tablespoons lime juice; 3 tablespoons maple syrup; 1-2 tablespoons Thai red curry (use a mild version, if making for families)

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Air Fryer Chicken Kabobs are full of delicious Asian flavor! Make these easy chicken skewers as an appetizer, party food, or for a super easy dinner.

Suitable for gluten free diets. Post includes Weight Watchers points.

air fryer chicken kabobs served with a salad

These Asian Air Fryer Chicken Kabobs are a well-loved family favorite dinner. They are fragrant, juicy, tender, and packed full of finger-licking exotic flavor. The kind that makes you drop everything to make them right now.

Peeps, these Air Fryer Chicken Kebabs really are simple to make with 6 ingredients and comes together quickly once the chicken has marinated. And who doesn’t love not having to slave over a hot stove or stand by the oven on a steamy hot summer night? Plus, dinner in the Air Fryer usually means less clean up time and that always makes me happy.

And Like these Cilantro Air Fryer Shrimp Skewers and Grilled Chicken Kabobs, these Thai Curry Chicken Kabobs are sure to be a hit at your next Summer BBQ, potluck or dinner, as an appetizer or on your portable grill when camping. Serve this awesome food on a stick alongside salads, extremely juicy burgers, grilled corn on the cob, delicious Air Fryer Pork Ribs and other summer or picnic favorites!

Why You’ll Love These

they are bursting with fragrant flavor.
easy to make in the Air Fryer.
moist and flavorful chicken on a stick, need I say more?
a great freezer to skewer recipe.
perfect for entertaining, appetizers, and summer dinners.
can be cooked in the Air Fryer all year round.

Ingredient Notes

Chicken – I prefer boneless chicken thighs for this as these do not dry out easily. You can use chicken breasts but brine these before hand so they stay juicy.
Gluten free soy sauce – you can use regular soy sauce if not following a gluten free diet.
Coconut milk – this uses coconut milk from a tin. I used full fat coconut milk for this but to cut the calories you can use half fat version.
Lime juice – fresh squeezed lime juice give the best flavour.
Honey – this can be easily substituted with maple syrup or other sweeteners.
Thai Red Curry Paste – Use store bought or homemade, and keep an eye on the heat level in the curry paste if making for young eaters.

close up view of air fryer chicken kabobs

Ready to learn just how easy it is to make Air Fried Chicken Kabobs? Gather up your ingredients and I will show you…..

How To Make Chicken Kabobs In The Air Fryer

Get the complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.

Mix together gluten free soy sauce, coconut milk, lime juice, honey, and Thai red curry paste in a mixing bowl or Ziploc bag.
Add the chicken and let marinate for at least 2 hours (up to overnight).
Soak bamboo skewers for 30 minutes.
Thread marinated chicken onto skewers.
Preheat Air Fryer to 350F/180C.
Cook for 12-15 minutes till cooked through, making sure to turn once halfway through. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165F/74C.

Air fryer temperatures can vary depending on the make and model. I recommend starting with less cook time, checking for doneness, then adding more time as needed.

image collage showing the steps for making air fryer chicken kabobs

How To Make Chicken Kabobs on Grill

Follow step 1-4 above.
Oil the grill grates, then preheat the grill (or griddle pan) to medium-high (direct heat).
Grill chicken for 10-15 minutes, turning them a couple of times and brushing on more marinade until golden and cooked through. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165F/74C.
You can reduce the remaining marinade in a saucepan over low heat until it thickens, and brush it over the cooked chicken for extra flavor.

chicken kabobs being cooked on the grill and being basted

Expert Recipe Tips

The longer you marinate these chicken skewers, the more time they have to absorb the flavors. The flavors may seem strong in the marinade bowl, but rest assured that they’re perfectly subtle once they’re done grilling.
Make sure to cut chicken in evenly sized pieces so they cook evenly.
Don’t ovefill the skewers, otherwise the meat will fall off during cooking.

To reduce the calories, use lite or half-fat coconut milk.
If using a grill, I recommend oiling the grill grates to help prevent the chicken from sticking to the grates, prior to heating the grill up so you don’t get burned.
Don’t forget to brush the Thai chicken skewers with the marinade as they’re cooking to truly enrich the Thai and coconut flavors.

air fryer chicken kabobs served on a white plate with salad

Delicious Variations

Change out the chicken: I use skinless chicken thighs, but you can use chicken breasts. You can even try shrimp.
Add in some vegetables: try zucchini, onion, or peppers on these chicken kabobs.
Vary the marinade – feel free to use your favorite homemade or store-bought marinade instead.

Prep Ahead And Storage

Prep Ahead – This recipe is so simple to make. Keep in mind the longer you marinate them, the more flavor they get! So marinate uncooked meat and keep in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
Store – Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Freeze – You can freeze the uncooked chicken in the marinade. Transfer chicken and marinade into these convenient ziplock bags, Squeeze out all the extra air, seal and label the bags. Store flat in the freezer for three months.

finished air fryer chicken kabobs served with a salad on a white plate

FAQs

What Temperature To Cook Air Fryer Chicken Kabobs At?

Cook these chicken kabobs at 350F / 180C until the internal temperature of the chicken reads 165F/74C on a meat thermometer.

What Kind Of Chicken Should I Use?

I prefer to use chicken thighs for this recipe as they keep their juiciness while cooking on the Air Fryer or grill. However, you can also use chicken breasts or turkey breasts. You just need to keep an eye on them when cooking to make sure you aren’t drying out your chicken.

What’s So Special About This Chicken Kabob Marinade?

The secret is the coconut milk in the marinade helps tenderize the chicken as it absorbs the subtle flavor. Make sure to cook down the remaining marinade till nice and thick and use it to brush over the skewers once they’re cooked.

You can even keep a small amount to dip the chicken in. Trust me folks, dipping into this sauce is even more amaaaaaazing.

Can you put wood skewers in air fryer?

You certainly can. Make sure to get wooden skewers that fit into your air fryer. You will need to cut them to size if they are too big.

Why Do You Soak Bamboo Skewers?

You want to make sure you soak your skewers in warm water for at least 30 minutes prior to using them.

Soaking bamboo skewers helps prevent them from cooking or catching fire as you’re cooking your meat. You may even want to soak them overnight if you’re marinating your chicken overnight.

Serving Suggestions

Air Fryer French Fries. So crispy and loved by the whole family
Air Fryer Zucchini Fries. The best ever.
Air Fryer Corn On The Cob. Makes a great side with this.

More Grill, Skewers and Kabob Recipes

Grilled Chicken Salad.
Grilled Honey Bourbon Chicken Thighs.
Grilled Lamb Kabobs.
Air Fryer Veggie Kabobs.
Cilantro Lime Shrimp Skewers.
Easy Watermelon Skewers.
Bacon and Chicken Skewers.
And Juicy Air Fryer Burgers <= because they are awesome.

Weight Watchers Points

There are 5 Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving.

Tools You Need

Mixing bowls.
Measuring cups and spoons.
Bamboo skewers or metal skewers.
An Air Fryer.
A grill, if you prefer.
An instant-read digital thermometer.

Thank you for reading my Air Fryer Chicken Skewers recipe post. And please come visit again as I continue to slice, dice and dream up affordable Air Fryer recipes, Instant Pot Recipes, Southern Recipes and more. Thanks for supporting Recipes from a Pantry, food blog.

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5 from 9 votes