Zesty Citrus Infusion: Homemade Lemon Pepper Chicken Skewers

Delight your taste buds with the vibrant flavors of Lemon Pepper Chicken Skewers – a simple yet sensational dish featuring seasoned, cubed chicken breasts threaded onto wooden skewers, air-fried to perfection, and generously brushed with a delectable flavored butter. In this culinary journey, we’ll explore how to effortlessly create these skewers in an air fryer and provide options for oven or grill preparation for your upcoming summer gatherings.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Chicken:

After rigorous testing with both chicken breasts and thighs, chicken breasts emerged as the favored choice. However, feel free to indulge your preference, though keep in mind that cooking times may vary with chicken thighs. Ensure uniformity by cutting the cubes to a similar size for consistent cooking.

Seasonings:

A symphony of flavors awaits, blending paprika, kosher salt, lemon pepper, garlic, and Cajun seasoning. These spices harmonize with extra virgin olive oil before cooking and a luscious melted butter mixture post-cooking.

Oil:

Before introducing the chicken to the air fryer, create a tantalizing mix of seasonings with extra virgin olive oil. Ensure each chicken piece is thoroughly coated before air frying.

Butter:

Craft the post-cooking masterpiece by blending the same seasonings (minus salt) into melted butter. Brush this flavorful butter over the skewers before serving. Omitting salt in the butter mixture aims to balance flavors, although you can adjust to your taste preferences.

Wooden Skewers vs. Metal Skewers

Choose between the rustic charm of wooden skewers or the durability of metal ones for your culinary adventure. If opting for wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent charring during cooking. For metal skewers, ensure they fit comfortably in the air fryer basket. Feel free to break wooden skewers in half for resizing if needed.

Can I Assemble Chicken Skewers Ahead of Time?

Absolutely! Once your seasoned chicken bites grace the skewers, feel free to refrigerate or freeze them before cooking. Refrigerated skewers maintain their freshness for 2-3 days, while frozen ones can be stored for up to 3 months. For frozen skewers, simply thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before cooking.

How to Store Lemon Pepper Chicken Skewers

Whether stored in the refrigerator or freezer, Lemon Pepper Chicken Skewers promise to retain their flavor.

To Refrigerate:

Place the skewers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.

To Freeze:

After cooling the cooked skewers, individually wrap each one in aluminum foil and store them in a freezer-safe bag. Frozen skewers will preserve their goodness for up to 3 months.

Ingredients:

Wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes

Chicken:

• 2 pounds (907 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 2.54 cm cubes
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) extra virgin olive oil
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 g) paprika
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 g) kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon (1.5 g) lemon pepper
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 g) garlic, minced
• 1 ½ teaspoons (3 g) Cajun seasoning

Seasoned Butter:

• ¼ cup (57 g) unsalted butter, melted
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 g) paprika
• ½ teaspoon (1.5 g) lemon pepper
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 g) garlic, minced
• 1 ½ teaspoons (3 g) Cajun seasoning
• 1 teaspoon (1.3 g) freshly chopped parsley

Instructions:

Chicken Preparation:

• In a bowl, thoroughly mix extra virgin olive oil with paprika, kosher salt, lemon pepper, minced garlic, and Cajun seasoning.
• Coat each chicken cube evenly with the seasoned oil mixture.
• Thread the seasoned chicken cubes onto soaked wooden skewers.

Air Frying Lemon Pepper Chicken Skewers:

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
• Place the skewers in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded.
• Air fry for 12-15 minutes, turning halfway, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Flavored Butter Finish:

• While the skewers cook, prepare the flavored butter by combining melted butter with paprika, lemon pepper, minced garlic, Cajun seasoning, and freshly chopped parsley.
• Once the skewers are cooked, generously brush them with the flavored butter.

Serve and Enjoy:

• Arrange the Lemon Pepper Chicken Skewers on a serving platter.
• Garnish with additional parsley if desired.
• Serve hot and savor the burst of flavors with each succulent bite.

Embrace the Culinary Magic:

Delight in the culinary magic of these Lemon Pepper Chicken Skewers – a symphony of spices, succulent chicken, and a burst of flavor in every bite. Whether air-fried, grilled, or oven-baked, these skewers promise to elevate your summer gatherings with a touch of gourmet simplicity.

Note: Adjust salt levels according to your taste preferences for a personalized culinary experience.