Air Fried Bourbon Chicken Skewers (Easy & Juicy Recipe)

Tender chicken, a glossy sweet-and-savory glaze, and the convenience of an air fryer make these Air Fried Bourbon Chicken Skewers a recipe you’ll want to keep on repeat. The air fryer creates lightly caramelized edges while keeping the inside moist and flavorful, giving you restaurant-quality results without firing up the outdoor grill.

These skewers are ideal for busy weeknights, backyard gatherings, game-day snacks, or meal prep. With simple pantry ingredients and straightforward cooking steps, anyone can make this dish successfully even if it’s their first time using an air fryer.

In this ultimate guide, you’ll learn everything from choosing the best chicken cut to making a balanced bourbon-inspired glaze, cooking the skewers perfectly, storing leftovers, and pairing them with delicious side dishes.

Air Fryer Bourbon-Style Chicken Skewers

RASHA

These Air Fryer Bourbon-Style Chicken Skewers feature tender chicken coated in a glossy sweet-and-savory glaze made without alcohol. The air fryer creates lightly caramelized edges while keeping the chicken juicy, making these easy skewers perfect for weeknight dinners, gatherings, game-day snacks, or meal prep.

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Prep Time 50 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Course Appetizer, dinner

Cuisine American-Chinese Inspired

Servings 4 servings

Calories 360 kcal

Equipment

• Air fryer
• Large mixing bowl
• Small saucepan
• Digital meat thermometer
• Wooden or stainless steel skewers
• Silicone basting brush
• Small mixing bowl

Ingredients

  

Chicken & Marinade

• 2 lb Boneless, skinless chicken thighs Chicken breasts may also be used; cut into 1-inch cubes
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 1 tsp Garlic powder
• 1 tsp Onion powder
• 1 tsp Smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp Black pepper
• 1/2 tsp Salt

Bourbon-Style Glaze

• 1/4 cup Apple juice Alcohol-free substitute for bourbon
• 1/3 cup Low-sodium soy sauce Use certified gluten-free tamari for a gluten-free option
• 1/3 cup Brown sugar, packed
• 2 tbsp Ketchup
• 1 tbsp Honey
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced
• 1 tsp Freshly grated ginger
• 1 tbsp Apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp Sesame oil

Thickening

• 1 tbsp Cornstarch
• 2 tbsp Cold water

Optional Garnish

• Sesame seeds
• Sliced green onions

Instructions

 

• Cut the chicken into uniform 1-inch pieces. In a large mixing bowl, combine the olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Add the chicken and toss until evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes.
• In a small saucepan, combine the apple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, honey, minced garlic, grated ginger, apple cider vinegar, and sesame oil. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
• In a small bowl, whisk the cornstarch and cold water together to make a slurry. Slowly whisk it into the simmering sauce. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until the glaze thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. Remove from the heat.
• Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto soaked wooden or stainless steel skewers, leaving a small amount of space between the pieces so hot air can circulate.
• Preheat the air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for 3 to 5 minutes. Arrange the skewers in a single layer without overcrowding. Air fry for 8 minutes.
• Flip the skewers and brush generously with the glaze. Air fry for another 4 to 6 minutes.
• Brush the skewers with another layer of glaze during the final 2 minutes of cooking. Check the thickest piece with a digital meat thermometer and make sure the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).
• Remove the skewers from the air fryer and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions if desired, then serve.

Notes

Chicken thighs are especially juicy and forgiving in the air fryer, but chicken breast can also be used. Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket and cook in batches if necessary. Apply the sweet glaze near the end of cooking to prevent it from burning. For an alcohol-free version, apple juice provides the fruity sweetness traditionally associated with bourbon-style glaze. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze cooked chicken for up to 3 months. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3 to 4 minutes and brush with fresh glaze before serving.

Keyword air fryer chicken, air fryer chicken skewers, bourbon-style chicken, easy chicken dinner, sticky chicken skewers

Recommended Kitchen Tools (Amazon Affiliate Section)

Air Fryer: [ Ninja Air Fryer ]

Meat Thermometer: [ Instant Read Digital Meat Thermometer]

Skewers: [ Heavy-Duty Bamboo Skewers or Stainless Steel Skewers]

Silicone Basting Brush: [ Heat-Resistant Silicone Brush]

Watch the video below to see how to make Air Fried Bourbon Chicken Skewers

Why You’ll Love This Air Fried Bourbon Chicken Skewers

There are plenty of chicken skewer recipes, but this one stands out because it combines bold Asian-American takeaway flavors with effortless home cooking:

• Crispy Outside, Juicy Inside: The circulating hot air cooks the chicken evenly while lightly browning the exterior, giving every bite a satisfying texture.
• Rich Homemade Bourbon Glaze: The sauce blends soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and bourbon (or apple juice for an alcohol-free option) into a glossy glaze that coats every piece beautifully.
• Healthier Than Deep Frying: Using an air fryer means far less oil without sacrificing flavor or texture.
• Great for Meal Prep: Cook a batch ahead of time and enjoy the leftovers throughout the week in rice bowls, wraps, or fresh salads.
• Crowd-Pleasing Favorite: Perfect for quick family dinners or casual entertaining.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Air Fried Bourbon Chicken

For the Chicken & Marinade

• 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs (or chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp salt

For the Homemade Bourbon Glaze

• ¼ cup bourbon (or apple juice for a non-alcoholic option)
• ⅓ cup low-sodium soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
• ⅓ cup brown sugar (packed)
• 2 tbsp ketchup
• 1 tbsp honey
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 tsp freshly grated ginger
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp sesame oil

For Thickening the Glaze

• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 2 tbsp cold water

Optional Garnish

• Sesame seeds
• Sliced green onions (scallions)

Step-by-Step Instructions for Air Fried Bourbon Chicken Skewers

Step 1: Prep and Marinate the Chicken

1. Cut the chicken into uniform 1-inch pieces to ensure even cooking.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
3. Add the chicken pieces and toss until evenly coated.
4. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (up to 4 hours for maximum flavor absorption).
5. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes to prevent scorching.

Step 2: Make the Bourbon Glaze

In a small saucepan, combine bourbon, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, honey, minced garlic, grated ginger, apple cider vinegar, and sesame oil.

Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.

In a small cup, whisk cornstarch and cold water together to form a slurry.

Slowly whisk the slurry into the simmering sauce. Cook for 2–3 minutes until the glaze thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. Remove from heat.

Step 3: Thread the Skewers

Thread the marinated chicken cubes onto your soaked wooden or stainless steel skewers, leaving a tiny space between pieces so hot air circulates freely.

Step 4: Air Fry to Perfection

Preheat: Set your air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for 3–5 minutes.

First Cook: Arrange the skewers in a single layer in the air fryer basket without overcrowding. Cook for 8 minutes.

Flip & First Glaze: Flip the skewers over and brush generously with the bourbon glaze. Air fry for another 4–6 minutes.

Final Glaze: Brush with one last layer of glaze during the final 2 minutes of cooking.

Check Temp: Ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) using a digital meat thermometer.

Rest: Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes before serving to keep the juices locked in.

Expert Chef Tips for Success

Choose Thighs Over Breasts: Chicken thighs contain slightly more fat, keeping the skewers extra juicy and forgiving in the air fryer.

Don’t Overcrowd: Cook in batches if necessary. Air fryers need space for hot air to circulate to achieve caramelized edges.

Glaze at the Right Time: Apply the glaze toward the end of cooking. Adding sugary glaze too early can cause it to burn before the chicken is fully cooked.

Use a Meat Thermometer: Avoid dry chicken by pulling the skewers out as soon as they hit 165°F (74°C).

Delicious Recipe Variations

Spicy Bourbon Chicken: Add 1 tsp Sriracha or ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes to the glaze.

Bourbon Pineapple Skewers: Alternate chicken cubes with fresh pineapple chunks on the skewers.

Vegetable Skewers: Add pieces of bell peppers, red onion, zucchini, or mushrooms between the chicken pieces.

Kid-Friendly (Alcohol-Free): Replace bourbon with apple juice or white grape juice.

Gluten-Free Option: Use certified gluten-free tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce.

What to Serve With Bourbon Chicken Skewers

Steamed Jasmine or Basmati Rice

Vegetable Fried Rice or Garlic Noodles

Asian Cucumber Salad or Fresh Coleslaw

Roasted Broccoli, Sesame Snap Peas, or Stir-Fried Green Beans

Grilled Corn or Mixed Green Salad

Storage, Freezing, and Reheating

Refrigerator: Store leftover cooked chicken in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Freezer: Freeze cooked skewers for up to 3 months. Freeze sauce separately for best results.

Reheating in Air Fryer: Reheat at 350°F (175°C) for 3–4 minutes until warm, then brush with fresh glaze.

Frequently Asked Questions for Air Fried Bourbon Chicken

Printable Recipe Card

Nutrition Information (Approximate Per Serving)

• Calories: 360
• Protein: 32 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg
• Sodium: 760 mg
• Sugar: 12 g
• Fiber: 1 g

Conclusion

These Air Fried Bourbon Chicken Skewers are a simple way to enjoy bold, restaurant-inspired flavors at home. The air fryer keeps the chicken tender while creating lightly caramelized edges that pair perfectly with the rich homemade bourbon glaze. Whether you’re planning a quick weeknight dinner, meal prepping for the week, or serving guests at your next gathering, this recipe delivers reliable results with minimal effort.

Serve the skewers over steamed rice, alongside fresh vegetables, or with your favorite Asian-inspired side dishes for a complete meal. Don’t hesitate to customize the glaze, add vegetables to the skewers, or adjust the sweetness and spice to suit your taste.

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RASHA

This recipe was written and tested by Rasha, the founder of Recipesedeas. Rasha is a food enthusiast living in the USA, sharing her family-inspired recipes and culinary adventures