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Say hello to a new family favorite: Air Fryer Chicken Kebabs! Juicy, bursting with spices, and incredibly easy to make, these kebabs will bring a zesty twist to your weeknight dinners.
Easy Air Fryer Chicken Kebabs
For those days when you’re craving something simple yet utterly satisfying, these Air Fryer Chicken Kebabs are just the ticket. They’re a cinch to whip up, marrying juicy chicken with vibrant veggies and a punchy spice blend that’ll light up your taste buds. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, they’re the kind of no-fuss, all-flavor meal that everyone loves.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Ground Chicken: You can also you ground turkey, pork or beef.
- Red and Yellow Bell Peppers: These add sweetness and vibrant colors, plus it’s a great way to add some veggies into these kebabs. Any color will work.
- Green Onion: Provides a mild, fresh onion flavor. Chives or finely chopped red onion are good substitutes.
- Paprika, Cumin, Coriander: These spices create a warm, earthy, and slightly sweet flavor profile. Paprika adds a smoky sweetness, cumin contributes earthy notes, and coriander offers a hint of citrus and nuttiness. You can substitute hot paprika for sweet for more heat, caraway for cumin, and fennel seeds for coriander.
- Sumac: A tangy, lemony spice, perfect for adding a zesty flavor. Lemon zest is a great substitute if you don’t have any sumac.
- Lemon Juice: For a little bit of freshness and acidity, balancing out the flavors.
Making these Air Fryer Chicken Kebabs is a breeze, and the result is a mouthwatering dish that’s sure to be a hit.
Combine The Ingredients
Start by taking a large bowl and mixing together the ground chicken with the key spices: sweet paprika, ground cumin, and ground coriander, along with sumac, salt, and black pepper. Then, add a splash of lemon juice to bring a hint of zestiness to the mix.
Add Veggies
Next, fold in the finely chopped green onions and bell peppers. Mix these gently with the spiced chicken to ensure even distribution.
Shape And Skewer
Now, it’s time to shape your kebabs. Soak your skewers in water for about 20-30 minutes to prevent burning. With wet hands, take portions of the chicken mixture and mold them around the skewers. Aim for an even distribution to ensure uniform cooking.
Air Fry To Perfection
Finally, preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Arrange the skewers in the air fryer basket, making sure they don’t touch each other for even cooking. Air fry for about 10-12 minutes, turning them halfway through. The kebabs should be golden brown and cooked through.
Serve This With
Pairing these Air Fryer Chicken Kebabs with the right side dishes can turn a simple meal into a feast! My favorite thing to serve them with is some homemade tzatziki sauce, but you can also serve them alongside some delicious sides:
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these kebabs with a different type of meat?
Absolutely! While I use ground chicken, you can easily substitute it with ground turkey or even ground lamb. Just keep an eye on the cooking time as it may vary slightly with different meats.
How do I ensure my kebabs don’t fall apart in the air fryer?
To prevent the kebabs from falling apart, make sure the meat mixture is not too wet. If it feels too moist, you can refrigerate the shaped kebabs for about 10-15 minutes before cooking. This step helps them firm up and maintain their shape in the air fryer.
Can I prepare the kebabs in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the kebabs ahead of time. Shape them and keep them refrigerated for up to a day before you plan to cook them.
Expert Tips
- Pre-Soak Skewers: Always soak wooden skewers in water for at least 20-30 minutes before using to prevent them from burning in the air fryer.
- Evenly Shape Kebabs: When shaping the kebabs, aim for uniform thickness to ensure even cooking. This prevents some parts from being overcooked while others are still underdone.
- Avoid Overcrowding: Cook kebabs in batches if necessary to ensure there’s enough space between them in the air fryer for proper heat circulation and even cooking.
- Check for Doneness: Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the kebabs. They’re done when they reach 165°F (74°C), ensuring they are safe and perfectly cooked.
Storage
Leftover kebabs can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For reheating, simply place them back in the air fryer for a few minutes until they’re heated through.
Discover Other Ground Chicken Recipes
- Chicken Meatloaf
- Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
- Firecracker Chicken Meatballs
- Quick Chicken Peanut Noodles
- Chicken Lasagna alla Bolognese
Air Fryer Chicken Kebabs
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chicken
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon sumac
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ cup green onion finely chopped
- ½ medium red bell pepper finely chopped
- ½ medium yellow bell pepper finely chopped
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, salt, black pepper, paprika, cumin, coriander, sumac, and lemon juice. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Fold in the chopped spring onion, red and yellow bell peppers into the ground chicken mixture. Mix gently, ensuring that the veggies are evenly distributed throughout the chicken.
- With wet hands, take a portion of the mixture and mold it around one end of a skewer, forming a kebab shape. Repeat until all the mixture is used, making about 8 skewers.
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper. This will prevent the kebabs from sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Place the skewers in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't touch each other. Cook for about 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the kebabs are golden brown and cooked through. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Once the kebabs are cooked, carefully remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for a couple of minutes. Serve hot with your favorite sauce such as tzatziki.
Tips & Notes:
- You’ll need 8 inch skewers, or big enough to fit in your air fryer. If using wooden skewers, shape them in water for 20-30 minutes prior to using them.
- Adjust Spices to Taste: Feel free to tweak the spice levels according to your preference. Add more or less of each to suit your taste buds.
- Alternative Cooking Methods: If you don’t have an air fryer, these kebabs can also be grilled or baked in the oven. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly.
- Serving Suggestions: These kebabs pair wonderfully with a variety of sides. Try them with rice, salads, or wrapped in pita bread.
- Make-Ahead Tip: You can prepare the kebab mixture ahead of time and store it in the fridge, making it a great option for meal prep.
