Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Skewers

Today I’ll show you how to make air fryer lemon pepper chicken skewers. They’re juicy, full of flavor, and ready in under 20 minutes.

This is one of those recipes that looks fancy but is actually super simple. You just need chicken thighs, a few basic seasonings, and your air fryer to get everything done.

The lemon pepper combo gives the chicken a bright, zesty flavor that works great on its own or with a side of rice or salad. It’s the kind of meal that feels fresh without being complicated.

I use boneless skinless chicken thighs for this recipe because they stay tender and juicy in the air fryer. They don’t dry out the way chicken breast sometimes can.

Whether you’re meal prepping or just need a quick dinner, these skewers are a solid option. Let me walk you through how I make them.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfect for Meal Prep – These chicken skewers store really well in the fridge for up to four days. Make a big batch on Sunday and toss them into salads, wraps, or grain bowls throughout the week.

Only 6 Ingredients – You don’t need a long grocery list for this one. Just chicken thighs, olive oil, lemon pepper seasoning, lemon juice, garlic powder, and salt. That’s it.

Chicken Thighs Stay Super Juicy – Using boneless skinless chicken thighs instead of chicken breast makes a huge difference here. Thighs hold up beautifully in the air fryer and stay tender and moist every single time.

The Lemon Pepper Flavor is Incredible – The combo of lemon pepper seasoning and fresh lemon juice gives these skewers a bright, zesty kick that’s savory and refreshing at the same time. It’s one of those flavor combos that just works.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lb Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
• 2 tbsp Olive Oil
• 1 tbsp Lemon Pepper Seasoning
• 1 tbsp Fresh Lemon Juice
• 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
• 1/2 tsp Salt

How to Make

Step 1

Slice the chicken thighs into 1-inch chunks.

Step 2

In a large bowl, toss the chicken chunks with olive oil, lemon pepper seasoning, fresh lemon juice, garlic powder, and salt until thoroughly coated.

Step 3

Thread the seasoned chicken tightly onto small wooden skewers that fit inside your air fryer basket.

Step 4

Arrange the skewers in a single layer in the air fryer.

Step 5

Cook at 380F for 12 to 14 minutes, turning the skewers halfway through, until the chicken is golden and fully cooked.

Step 6

Serve warm with an extra squeeze of fresh lemon if desired.

Tips

Soak Your Wooden Skewers First

Before you start anything, drop your wooden skewers in a bowl of water and let them soak for at least 20 to 30 minutes. This stops them from burning or charring up in the air fryer while the chicken cooks.

If you skip this step, the exposed ends of the skewers can start to smoke and even catch a small flame. It only takes a few minutes of planning ahead, and it makes a big difference.

If you have metal skewers that fit your air fryer basket, those work great too and you can skip the soaking entirely.

Cut the Chicken Pieces Evenly

When you slice the chicken thighs into 1-inch chunks, try to keep all the pieces roughly the same size. If some pieces are tiny and others are big, the small ones will dry out before the big ones are cooked through.

A good way to do this is to lay each thigh flat on the cutting board, slice it into 1-inch strips, then cut across those strips to get even cubes. It doesn’t need to be perfect, just close enough so everything cooks at the same rate.

Don’t Skip the Lemon Juice in the Marinade

The fresh lemon juice does more than just add flavor. The acid in the juice starts to break down the surface of the chicken slightly, which helps the seasoning stick better and gives you a more tender bite.

Use fresh lemon juice instead of the bottled stuff if you can. Fresh juice has a brighter, cleaner taste that really comes through in a simple recipe like this where there aren’t a lot of ingredients to hide behind.

One medium lemon should give you more than enough juice for the tablespoon you need, plus extra for squeezing on top when serving.

Related Recipes

• Air Fryer Cajun Shrimp Skewers
• Air Fryer Chicken Wings
• Air Fryer Crispy Parmesan Chicken Drumsticks
• Air Fryer Crispy Sesame Chicken
• Air Fryer Greek Turkey Burgers

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to soak wooden skewers before air frying?

Yes, you should soak wooden skewers in water for at least 20 to 30 minutes before using them. This helps prevent them from burning or catching fire in the air fryer’s high heat.

If you want to skip that step entirely, metal skewers are a great alternative since they are reusable and you never have to worry about soaking them.