If you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing recipe that’s easy, crispy, and packed with flavor, these Breaded Chicken Skewers are it! Juicy chunks of chicken are coated in a golden, crunchy breading, then baked or fried to perfection. They’re fun to eat, easy to serve, and perfect for everything from family dinners to party appetizers. Whether you’re planning a casual get-together or just want a new dinner idea, these skewers will have everyone coming back for seconds!
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I love how versatile this recipe is—you can switch up the seasonings, pair them with your favorite dipping sauces, and even cook them in the air fryer for a lighter version. Let’s get started!
Why You’ll Love Breaded Chicken Skewers
This recipe is more than just another chicken dish—it’s simple, delicious, and guaranteed to be a favorite. Here’s why:
Crispy and Juicy: You get the perfect combination of crispy coating on the outside and tender, juicy chicken inside.
Kid-Friendly: These skewers are fun to eat and perfect for picky eaters. Serve with a few different dipping sauces, and they’ll disappear fast!
Customizable: Use your favorite seasonings, breadcrumbs, or even add a spicy twist depending on what you like.
Party-Perfect: These skewers make a fantastic finger food for parties, BBQs, or game day gatherings.
Easy to Make: With just a few ingredients and simple steps, you can whip up a big batch without any stress.
Ingredients in Breaded Chicken Skewers
You don’t need anything fancy to make these delicious skewers! Here’s what you’ll need:
Chicken Breast or Thighs: Boneless, skinless chicken pieces are best. Thighs are juicier, but breasts work great too!
Breadcrumbs: Use panko for extra crunch or regular breadcrumbs for a finer coating.
Eggs: Helps the breadcrumbs stick to the chicken pieces.
Flour: For the initial coating that helps everything stick together nicely.
Seasonings: Salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and onion powder give the chicken lots of flavor.
Olive Oil or Cooking Spray: To help the breading crisp up in the oven or air fryer.
Skewers: Wooden or metal skewers to hold the chicken pieces together. (If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes before cooking to prevent burning.)
(Note: The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)
Instructions
Here’s how to make the crispiest, most irresistible breaded chicken skewers:
1. Prepare the Chicken: Cut the chicken into bite-sized cubes. Season them lightly with salt, pepper, and any extra spices you like.
2. Set Up Your Breading Station:
- Place flour in one shallow bowl.
- Beat the eggs in a second shallow bowl.
- Mix the breadcrumbs with seasoning (paprika, garlic powder, onion powder) in a third shallow bowl.
3. Bread the Chicken:
- Dredge each chicken piece in flour, shaking off excess.
- Dip into the beaten eggs.
- Roll in the seasoned breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere.
4. Skewer the Chicken: Thread the breaded chicken pieces onto skewers, leaving a little space between each piece for even cooking.
5. Cook the Skewers:
- Oven Method: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place skewers on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Lightly spray with oil. Bake for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crispy.
- Air Fryer Method: Preheat air fryer to 400°F. Place skewers in a single layer. Air fry for 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Frying Method: Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Fry skewers, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through (about 7–10 minutes).
6. Serve: Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauces!
Nutrition Facts
Servings: [Number of servings]
Calories per serving: [Calorie count per serving]
Preparation Time
Prep Time: [Time to prepare ingredients]
Cook Time: [Time to cook or bake]
Total Time: [Total time needed]
How to Serve Breaded Chicken Skewers
There are endless ways to enjoy these delicious skewers:
With Dipping Sauces: Serve with ranch dressing, honey mustard, BBQ sauce, sweet chili sauce, or spicy mayo.
As a Main Dish: Pair with a side salad, coleslaw, fries, or roasted veggies for a complete meal.
As Party Appetizers: Serve on a platter with assorted dipping sauces at your next get-together!
Over Rice or Salad: Turn them into a hearty bowl by serving them over jasmine rice or a fresh green salad.
Additional Tips
Here are a few extra tricks to make sure your skewers come out perfectly every time:
Pre-Soak Wooden Skewers: If you’re baking or air-frying, soaking wooden skewers for 30 minutes prevents burning.
Use Panko for Extra Crunch: Panko breadcrumbs create the crispiest texture. Regular breadcrumbs work too but aren’t as airy.
Double Bread for Extra Crispiness: For an even thicker crust, repeat the egg and breadcrumb step twice.
Cook Evenly: Don’t overcrowd the pan, baking sheet, or air fryer. Give each skewer enough space to crisp up properly.
Check Doneness: Chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) for safe eating.
Storage Tips: Store leftover skewers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer to keep them crispy!
FAQ Section
Q1: Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
A1: Absolutely! Thighs are juicier and flavorful, making them a great choice for skewers.
Q2: Can I prepare these skewers ahead of time?
A2: Yes! You can bread the chicken and refrigerate the skewers up to 24 hours before cooking.
Q3: How do I prevent the breading from falling off?
A3: Make sure to press the breadcrumbs firmly onto the chicken and avoid overcrowding the pan while cooking.
Q4: Can I freeze breaded chicken skewers?
A4: Yes, freeze uncooked, breaded skewers on a tray, then transfer to a bag. Bake directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes.
Q5: What other seasonings can I add?
A5: Feel free to add chili powder, cumin, Italian seasoning, or even parmesan cheese to the breadcrumb mix for extra flavor.
Q6: Can I make these gluten-free?
A6: Yes! Use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs for a completely gluten-free version.
Q7: What’s the best way to reheat them?
A7: Reheat in an air fryer or oven at 375°F until heated through to keep the breading crispy.
Q8: Can I grill these skewers?
A8: Yes! Grill over medium heat until golden and fully cooked, turning frequently to avoid burning.
Q9: What sauces go best with these skewers?
A9: Honey mustard, ranch, sriracha mayo, BBQ, and garlic aioli are all fantastic choices.
Q10: Can I use pre-breaded chicken nuggets on skewers?
A10: You can for a shortcut, but making it fresh tastes much better and is healthier!
Breaded Chicken Skewers
- Prep Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 28 minutes
- Yield: 12 skewers 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Description
These crispy breaded chicken skewers are juicy inside and easy to make in just 30 minutes of cooking time. A family-favorite dinner idea you can prep ahead!
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken breast
- 3/4 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon all purpose seasoning (without salt)
- 3/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Extra light olive oil (for frying)
- 12 small wooden skewers
- For serving: lemon wedges, fresh parsley, and your favorite dipping sauce
Instructions
- Marinate the chicken: Cut chicken into ¾-inch strips and mix with salt, pepper, all purpose seasoning, and mayo. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or up to overnight).
- Prep the skewers: Thread chicken onto wooden skewers. Try to keep the flat sides facing the same direction so they cook evenly.
- Coat with breadcrumbs: Pour breadcrumbs onto a large plate and roll each skewer until fully coated.
- Fry ‘em up: Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Cook skewers for about 3 minutes per side (6–8 minutes total), flipping once golden. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches 165°F.
- Drain & serve: Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Squeeze fresh lemon over the top, sprinkle with parsley, and serve with your favorite dip.
Notes
- For best results, let the chicken marinate for a few hours or overnight to absorb the flavors.
- Make sure the oil is hot enough to achieve a crispy texture without overcooking the chicken.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 skewer
- Calories: 209
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 23g
- Cholesterol: 70mg