I made these skewers on a Wednesday. It had been one of those long, dusty days filled with errands, and I just wanted something warm, rich, and easy to pull together. These Ranch Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers hit the spot and then some.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love These Ranch Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers
This recipe is perfect when you need a quick, flavorful dinner but don’t want to settle for boring.
The garlic parmesan butter sauce clings to every bite, thanks to the air fryer’s high heat.
Plus, cleanup is simple. Just a cutting board, a bowl, and the air fryer basket.
Not using an air fryer? No problem. These skewers bake beautifully in the oven or sizzle up with smoky flavor on the grill.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Chicken Skewers
- 2 lbs chicken tenders (or use chicken thighs or breasts)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1.5 tbsp dry ranch seasoning
- 1 tsp dried dill
- 2 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
For the Garlic Parmesan Butter Sauce
- 1 stick butter
- 8–10 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan
- 1 tbsp hot sauce (optional)
- 2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/3 cup fresh parsley, minced
- 1 tbsp dry ranch seasoning
- 1 tsp dried dill
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
How to Make Ranch Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers
Step 1 – Prep the Skewers and Chicken
Start by soaking wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes. This keeps them from burning.
Next, cut the chicken into 3-inch pieces. Toss them with olive oil and the full seasoning mix until every piece is well-coated.
Thread the seasoned chicken onto the soaked skewers, packing the pieces closely together.
Step 2 – Make the Garlic Parmesan Butter Sauce
Melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir in the garlic and cook for a minute, just until fragrant.
Whisk in the parmesan, ranch seasoning, dill, red pepper flakes, onion powder, parsley, and hot sauce if using.
Once smooth, divide the sauce. Save one-third for basting and keep the rest for a final glaze.
Step 3 – Cook in the Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
Place 2–3 skewers into the basket (don’t overcrowd) and cook for 5 minutes.
Flip, baste with sauce, then cook 2 more minutes.
Flip again, baste once more, and finish for 5–6 minutes.
They’re done when the internal temp hits 165°F.
Glaze with the clean portion of the sauce and sprinkle with extra parmesan.
Alternate Cooking Methods (Air Fryer Not Needed!)
Oven Instructions
Preheat to 450°F.
Place skewers on a foil-lined tray and bake for 14 minutes, flipping halfway and basting.
Broil for 2 minutes at the end to crisp the tops.
Finish with the reserved glaze and a fresh parmesan sprinkle.
Grill Instructions
Heat grill to medium-high.
Grill skewers 5–6 minutes per side, basting with sauce throughout.
Glaze one last time after pulling them off the grill, and sprinkle with parmesan.
Pro Tips for Perfect Skewers Every Time
If the sauce starts to separate, whisk in 1–2 tbsp of softened butter to bring it back together.
Always use separate brushes for raw and cooked chicken, or wash in between.
Grated parmesan melts into the sauce better than shredded—don’t skip this detail.
Serve over rice or with warm pita to soak up every bit of the sauce.
Tools You Might Like
A solid air fryer with a wide basket (like the Ninja Max or Cosori) makes this recipe easier.
Use soaked wooden skewers if grilling or baking. Metal skewers also work and don’t need soaking.
Ranch Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers Recipe Card
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Ranch Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers | Quick & Flavorful
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
Description
Juicy, cheesy, and packed with garlic-herb flavor, these Ranch Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers are quick to make and even better to eat.
Ingredients
**For the Chicken Skewers**
2 lbs chicken tenders
2 tbsp olive oil
1.5 tbsp dry ranch seasoning
1 tsp dried dill
2 tsp paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
**For the Garlic Parmesan Butter Sauce**
1 stick butter
8–10 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup grated parmesan
1 tbsp hot sauce (optional)
2 tsp red pepper flakes
1/3 cup fresh parsley, minced
1 tbsp dry ranch seasoning
1 tsp dried dill
1/2 tsp onion powder
Instructions
1. Soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes.
2. Cut chicken into 3-inch pieces.
3. Toss chicken with olive oil and all seasoning ingredients.
4. Thread tightly onto skewers.
5. Melt butter in a pan and sauté minced garlic.
6. Add remaining sauce ingredients and stir until smooth.
7. Set aside 1/3 of sauce for basting, keep rest for final glaze.
8. Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
9. Cook skewers 5 minutes.
10. Flip, baste, cook 2 more minutes.
11. Flip again, baste, cook 5–6 minutes until internal temp reaches 165°F.
12. Glaze with reserved clean sauce and sprinkle with extra parmesan.
Notes
Use grated parmesan for smoother sauce texture.
Avoid cross-contamination: use separate basting brushes.
Add hot sauce for a spicy kick.
Pairs beautifully with rice or grilled vegetables.
To prevent the sauce from breaking, keep heat low and whisk in soft butter if needed.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 skewers
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 510mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
More Such Recipes
If you love rich garlic-forward flavors, don’t miss these:
- Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Potatoes for a set-it-and-forget-it meal
- Garlic Butter Chicken with Zucchini and Corn for summer nights
- Cheesy Garlic Chicken Wraps when you need something portable
- Parmesan Crusted Chicken for a crispy oven-baked classic
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use chicken breast or thighs instead of tenders?
Absolutely. Both work great. Just cut into similar 3-inch chunks so they cook evenly. Thighs stay juicy and add extra flavor, while breasts give a leaner bite.
How do I keep the butter sauce from separating?
Keep the heat low when melting. If it starts to break, whisk in softened butter a little at a time. You can also take it off the heat entirely once the parmesan melts.
What’s the best way to reheat leftovers?
Air fry at 350°F for 3–4 minutes until warmed through, or bake at 375°F for 8–10 minutes. A quick drizzle of leftover sauce before reheating helps revive the flavor.
Final Thoughts
These Ranch Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers have everything: juicy chicken, bold garlic flavor, a creamy parmesan finish, and just the right amount of ranch tang.
They’re versatile enough for meal prep or a casual cookout. You can serve them with buttery rice, over a fresh salad, or even stuffed into wraps with crisp lettuce.
Try them once, and you’ll come back to this recipe anytime you need a fast, flavor-packed win.
Don’t forget to pin the recipe on Pinterest or share your plate on Facebook I’d love to see what you make.