Air Fryer Recipe
Sticky BBQ Chicken Skewers
These sticky BBQ chicken skewers are a delight, with their lacquered finish and juicy interior. The air fryer is perfect for this dish, as it quickly dries the surface, rendering fat and concentrating the glaze before it slides off.
Ingredients
- 650g boneless, skinless chicken thigh fillets, trimmed and cut into 3cm chunks
- 1 tbsp neutral oil, such as rapeseed or sunflower oil
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic granules
- ½ tsp onion granules
- ½ tsp fine sea salt
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- ½ tsp mustard powder (or 1 tsp Dijon mustard if that is what you have)
- 120ml thick BBQ sauce, divided into two portions
- 1 tbsp runny honey or maple syrup
- 1 tbsp light soy sauce (use tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 tsp cider vinegar or white wine vinegar
- ½ tsp chilli flakes, optional
- 1 small red pepper, cut into 3cm pieces
- 1 small red onion, cut into 3cm petals
- 6–8 short wooden skewers, about 15cm long, or metal air-fryer skewers
Method
- If using wooden skewers, soak them in cold water for 20 minutes, then pat dry.
- Put the chicken pieces in a bowl with oil, smoked paprika, garlic granules, onion granules, salt, pepper, and mustard powder. Toss thoroughly and leave for 10–15 minutes at room temperature.
- In a separate bowl, mix 60ml of BBQ sauce with honey, soy sauce, vinegar, and chilli flakes, if using. Keep the remaining 60ml BBQ sauce separate.
- Thread the chicken onto the skewers, alternating with red pepper and red onion, leaving small gaps between pieces.
- Preheat the air fryer to 190°C for 3 minutes. Arrange the skewers in a single layer, leaving at least 1cm between them.
- Cook for 7 minutes, turn the skewers, and brush lightly with the honey-BBQ mixture. Cook for 5 more minutes at 190°C.
- Turn again, brush the second side with more glaze, and cook for another 3–5 minutes until the thickest piece reaches 75°C or shows clear juices.
- Brush with the reserved clean BBQ sauce and return to the air fryer for 1–2 minutes at 200°C until sticky and shiny.
- Rest the skewers on a warm plate for 3 minutes before serving. Spoon over any clean extra sauce.
Nutrition
Calories: 250
