Why This Recipe Is Trending
These Air-Fried Bourbon Chicken Skewers have taken social media by storm for good reason. They deliver that perfect combination of sweet, savory, and slightly smoky flavors with the convenience of air fryer cooking. The bourbon-infused glaze caramelizes beautifully, creating irresistible sticky-crispy edges without the hassle of traditional frying or grilling. Perfect for game day gatherings, quick weeknight dinners, or impressive yet effortless entertaining.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 8–10 wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes (if using bamboo)
For the Bourbon Glaze:
- ¼ cup bourbon whiskey
- ⅓ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced (for garnish)
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds (for garnish)
Instructions
1. Prepare the Chicken Skewers
- In a medium bowl, toss the chicken cubes with olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder until evenly coated.
- Thread the seasoned chicken pieces onto the pre-soaked skewers, leaving a small space between each piece. Each skewer should hold about 4–5 pieces.
- Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (190°C) for 2–3 minutes.
2. Make the Bourbon Glaze
- While the air fryer preheats, combine bourbon, soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, rice vinegar, garlic, and ginger in a small saucepan.
- Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
- Cook for 5–7 minutes until slightly reduced and the alcohol has cooked off.
- In a small bowl, whisk cornstarch and water to make a slurry.
- Slowly pour the slurry into the sauce while whisking constantly.
- Continue cooking for 1–2 minutes until it thickens into a glaze. Remove from heat.
- Reserve half of the glaze for serving and set the other half aside for brushing during cooking.
3. Air Fry the Chicken Skewers
- Arrange the skewers in a single layer in your air fryer basket. Work in batches if needed.
- Cook for 6 minutes, then flip the skewers.
- Brush with the bourbon glaze and cook for another 4–5 minutes.
- Ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). If not, cook in 1-minute increments.
- Remove skewers and brush with another layer of the reserved glaze.
4. Serve
- Arrange on a platter and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.
- Serve immediately with remaining glaze for dipping.
Chef’s Tips for Perfect Results
- Chicken Choice: Thighs offer more juiciness, but chicken breast can be used—just reduce cooking time by 1–2 minutes.
- Bourbon Alternative: Use apple juice + a splash of apple cider vinegar + a drop of liquid smoke for a non-alcoholic option.
- Prep Ahead: Glaze can be prepared up to 3 days in advance and stored in the fridge.
- Even Cooking: Cut chicken pieces uniformly for consistent results.
- No Air Fryer? Use a broiler (4–5 mins/side) or grill over medium-high heat.
- Serving Suggestion: Serve with coconut rice or Asian slaw.
Nutritional Information
- Servings: 4 (2–3 skewers per person)
- Calories: ~320 per serving
- Protein: 28g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fat: 12g
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
These Air-Fried Bourbon Chicken Skewers deliver restaurant-quality flavor with minimal effort—perfect for busy weeknights or casual entertaining. The blend of tender chicken, sticky-sweet glaze, and easy air frying has made this a go-to favorite!