Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ranch Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers combine everything you love about comfort food—garlic, parmesan, and ranch seasoning—into a deliciously satisfying meal. The chicken is marinated with a blend of seasonings and then cooked to juicy perfection, smothered in a rich garlic butter sauce that elevates every bite. Whether you cook them in the air fryer, oven, or grill, these skewers offer a flavor explosion that will keep you coming back for more.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Chicken & Seasoning:
- 2 lbs chicken tenders (or thighs/breasts), cut into 3-inch pieces
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1½ tbsp dry ranch seasoning
- 1 tsp dried dill
- 2 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
Garlic Parmesan Butter Sauce:
- 1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter
- 8–10 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp hot sauce (adjust to taste)
- 2 tsp red pepper flakes
- ⅓ cup fresh parsley, minced
- 1 tbsp dry ranch seasoning
- 1 tsp dried dill
- ½ tsp onion powder
Other:
- Wooden skewers (soaked in water for 30 minutes)
Directions
1. Prepare the Chicken
In a bowl, mix all the chicken seasonings (olive oil, ranch seasoning, dill, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper). Add the chicken pieces and toss to coat thoroughly. Thread the chicken tightly onto soaked wooden skewers.
2. Make Garlic Parmesan Sauce
Melt the butter in a saucepan or microwave. Add minced garlic and sauté for a minute until fragrant. Stir in Parmesan cheese, hot sauce, red pepper flakes, fresh parsley, ranch seasoning, dill, and onion powder. Whisk everything together until smooth. Reserve ⅔ of the sauce for final basting and use ⅓ of the sauce for cooking.
3. Cook the Skewers
Air Fryer Method:
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
- Cook 2–3 skewers at a time for 5 minutes.
- Flip the skewers and baste them with the garlic parmesan sauce.
- Cook for another 2 minutes, flip again, baste, and cook for 5–6 more minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Finish with the reserved garlic butter sauce and extra Parmesan.
Oven Method:
- Preheat your oven to 450°F.
- Bake the skewers on a foil-lined baking sheet for 14 minutes, flipping halfway through and basting with sauce.
- Broil for 2 minutes at the end for a crispy finish.
- Finish with the reserved garlic parmesan sauce and a sprinkle of extra Parmesan.
Grill Method:
- Grill the skewers over medium-high heat for 5–6 minutes per side, basting with the garlic butter sauce as they cook.
- Finish with a final drizzle of the sauce and Parmesan.
4. Serve
Once cooked, serve the chicken skewers immediately, drizzling with extra garlic butter sauce and topping with additional grated Parmesan. They’re perfect on their own or paired with a side salad or dipping sauce.
Servings and Timing
- Yield: 6 servings
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes (depending on cooking method)
- Total Time: 25-30 minutes
Nutritional Information (Estimated Per Serving)
- Calories: ~420 kcal
- Protein: ~35g
- Fat: ~28g
- Saturated Fat: ~12g
- Carbohydrates: ~4g
- Sugar: ~1g
- Fiber: ~1g
Variations and Substitutions
- Meat Options: You can use chicken breasts or thighs, or even substitute with other proteins like turkey or pork.
- Spicy Kick: Add more hot sauce or extra red pepper flakes if you like a spicier version.
- Herb Variations: Experiment with adding fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary for an extra layer of flavor.
- Dairy-Free Version: Use vegan butter and non-dairy Parmesan for a dairy-free alternative.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store leftover chicken skewers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Reheat the skewers in the air fryer, oven, or microwave. To maintain crispiness, use the air fryer or bake at 350°F for 5–10 minutes.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breast instead of chicken tenders?
Yes, chicken breasts work great for this recipe. Just make sure to cut them into 3-inch pieces to ensure they cook evenly.
Can I make the garlic parmesan butter sauce ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the sauce ahead and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Just reheat before using.
How do I prevent the chicken from drying out?
To prevent the chicken from drying out, make sure to baste the skewers with the garlic butter sauce while cooking, and don’t overcook them. A quick flip and basting will keep them juicy.
Can I cook these skewers on the grill?
Yes, grilling is an excellent method for these skewers! Grill over medium-high heat, basting with the garlic parmesan sauce as they cook.
Can I make these skewers ahead of time?
Yes, you can marinate and assemble the skewers ahead of time. Refrigerate them for a few hours before cooking.
Conclusion
These Ranch Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers are a crowd-pleasing dish that’s packed with flavor and super easy to make. Whether cooked in the air fryer, oven, or on the grill, the juicy chicken, herby seasoning, and rich garlic parmesan sauce make for a satisfying meal that everyone will love. Perfect for any occasion, they’re bound to become a go-to recipe in your kitchen!

Ranch Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes (depending on cooking method)
- Total Time: 25-30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Grilling, Air Frying, Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Ranch Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers are the perfect combination of juicy chicken, rich garlic parmesan sauce, and smoky, savory seasonings. Whether cooked in the air fryer, oven, or on the grill, these skewers deliver a satisfying, flavorful meal that will impress any guest.
Ingredients
2 lbs chicken tenders (or thighs/breasts), cut into 3-inch pieces
2 tbsp olive oil
1½ tbsp dry ranch seasoning
1 tsp dried dill
2 tsp paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter
8–10 cloves garlic, minced
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tbsp hot sauce (adjust to taste)
2 tsp red pepper flakes
⅓ cup fresh parsley, minced
1 tbsp dry ranch seasoning
1 tsp dried dill
½ tsp onion powder
Wooden skewers (soaked in water for 30 minutes)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- In a bowl, combine the olive oil, ranch seasoning, dill, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Toss the chicken pieces in this mixture until evenly coated. Thread the chicken onto soaked wooden skewers.
- For the garlic parmesan sauce, melt the butter in a saucepan or microwave. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in the Parmesan cheese, hot sauce, red pepper flakes, parsley, ranch seasoning, dill, and onion powder. Mix until smooth. Reserve ⅔ of the sauce for basting and use ⅓ of the sauce for cooking.
- For the Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Cook the skewers in batches for 5 minutes, flip them, baste with sauce, and cook for another 7-8 minutes or until the chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature.
- For the Oven: Preheat the oven to 450°F. Bake the skewers on a foil-lined baking sheet for 14 minutes, flipping halfway through and basting with sauce. Broil for 2 minutes to crisp the top.
- For the Grill: Grill the skewers over medium-high heat for 5-6 minutes per side, basting with the garlic butter sauce as they cook.
- Serve the skewers immediately, drizzling with the reserved garlic butter sauce and topping with extra Parmesan.
Notes
You can use chicken breasts or thighs for this recipe. Adjust cooking time based on the thickness of the meat.
If you want extra heat, add more hot sauce or red pepper flakes to the sauce.
For a dairy-free version, use vegan butter and dairy-free Parmesan cheese.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 skewer
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 211mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: undefined
- Trans Fat: undefined
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: undefined