Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Skewers
These Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Skewers are juicy, tender bites of chicken marinated in fresh lemon juice, cracked black pepper, garlic, and olive oil. Air-fried until golden with a slight char, they’re light, zesty, and bursting with flavor. Perfect as a main dish with rice, salad, or flatbread, or served as a party appetizer with a yogurt or tzatziki dip. Quick to prepare and healthier than deep frying, these skewers are a fresh twist on weeknight chicken.
Prep: 15 minutes (plus marinating 30 minutes)
Cook: 12–14 minutes
Total: ~45 minutes
Servings:4
Ingredients
For the chicken skewers
1 ½ lbs (680 g) chicken breast or thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes
3 tbsp olive oil
3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tbsp lemon zest
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 ½ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
1 tsp salt
1 tsp dried oregano (or thyme)
½ tsp paprika
For garnish
Fresh parsley, chopped
Lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions
Prepare the chicken
Cut chicken into 1-inch cubes and place in a bowl.
Make the marinade
Mix olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, black pepper, salt, oregano, and paprika.
Pour over chicken, toss well, cover, and marinate for at least 30 minutes (up to 2 hours).
Assemble skewers
Thread marinated chicken onto skewers. (If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 20 minutes to prevent burning.)
Air fry
Preheat air fryer to 380°F (190°C).
Place skewers in the basket in a single layer (work in batches if needed).
Cook for 12–14 minutes, turning halfway, until chicken is golden and reaches 165°F (74°C) internal temp.
Serve
Garnish with fresh parsley and lemon wedges.
Serve with rice, salad, flatbread, or dipping sauce.
Notes & Tips
For extra flavor, sprinkle more lemon pepper seasoning right after cooking.
Add veggies like bell peppers, onions, or zucchini to the skewers.
If you don’t have skewers, just air fry the chicken pieces directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I bake these instead of air frying?
Yes — bake at 425°F (220°C) for 18–20 minutes, flipping halfway.
Q: Can I meal prep these?
Yes — marinate chicken up to 24 hours ahead, then cook when ready.
Q: What dipping sauce works best?
Tzatziki, garlic yogurt, or even a honey mustard pair beautifully.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 290
Protein: 36 g
Carbs: 2 g
Fat: 15 g
Fiber: 0 g