If there’s ever a dish guaranteed to make everyone in the room grin and reach for seconds, it’s Breaded Chicken Skewers. These golden, crispy bites have a way of balancing homestyle comfort and playful fun, making weeknight dinners suddenly feel special and party platters unforgettable. Juicy pieces of chicken get a flavorful breadcrumb coating, bake up perfectly crunchy in the oven, and beg to be dipped into your favorite sauce. Trust me, once you’ve made these once, you’ll keep coming back for another batch.
Ingredients You’ll Need
One reason Breaded Chicken Skewers are such a hit: the ingredients are simple pantry favorites, but when combined just right, they create bold flavor and craveable texture. Each element plays its part in making the chicken juicy, crispy, and flat-out irresistible.
- Chicken breasts: Boneless, skinless, and cut into 1-inch cubes for even cooking and easy threading onto skewers.
- Plain breadcrumbs: These form the golden, crispy crust that everyone loves. Feel free to use panko for extra crunch!
- Grated Parmesan cheese: Adds a rich, salty punch and helps the coating brown beautifully in the oven.
- Garlic powder: Infuses each bite with savory depth, bringing everything together.
- Paprika: For a hint of smokiness and a warm, appetizing color on those skewers.
- Salt: Enhances all the other flavors without overpowering.
- Black pepper: Just a touch for a subtle peppery kick.
- Eggs: Act as the crucial binding agent so the breadcrumbs cling to every surface.
- Milk: Mixed with the eggs to make dipping easier and coating more even.
- Olive oil: Drizzled before baking to help the crust turn extra crisp and golden.
- Wooden skewers: Soaked in water first to prevent burning in the oven and make serving a breeze.
How to Make Breaded Chicken Skewers
Step 1: Set Up Your Stations
First things first: preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. While the oven warms, set up two dipping stations. In one bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk until smooth and slightly frothy. In a separate bowl, mix up your breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. This prep makes the assembly quick and leaves less mess behind.
Step 2: Prepare the Chicken and Skewers
Cut your chicken breasts into evenly sized 1-inch cubes. Even pieces mean even cooking (no dry bits here!). Thread the cubes gently onto the soaked wooden skewers, aiming for about five or six bites per skewer. The pre-soaked skewers keep things safe and splinter-free straight from the oven.
Step 3: Breading the Chicken Skewers
Now the fun part: dip each loaded skewer into the egg mixture, making sure every nook and cranny gets coated. Next, transfer to the breadcrumb bowl and press gently as you roll, ensuring the crumbs stick well and cover everything. This “double dip” routine in the egg and crumbs is what creates the signature crunch of perfect Breaded Chicken Skewers.
Step 4: Arrange and Bake
Lay the coated skewers in a single layer across your prepared baking sheet. Space them a little apart so the heat can circulate and every side crisps up beautifully. Drizzle each skewer with a bit of olive oil to help the coating brown. Slide the tray into the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, flipping the skewers halfway through. For even more crunch, broil them briefly at the end—just keep a close eye so they don’t go from golden to scorched!
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy!
Once your Breaded Chicken Skewers are irresistibly golden and cooked through, transfer to a platter. Serve them warm—ideally with a selection of dipping sauces like ranch, honey mustard, or spicy mayo. Watch how quickly they disappear!
How to Serve Breaded Chicken Skewers
Garnishes
For a finishing flourish, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over your skewers for a burst of color and freshness. A squeeze of lemon right before serving livens everything up, balancing the crunchy breading with a hit of brightness.
Side Dishes
Breaded Chicken Skewers shine with all sorts of sides. Pair them with a refreshing cucumber salad, some buttered corn, or even classic baked fries to round out the meal. If you’re going for a lighter vibe, a tangy slaw or simple green salad make ideal partners.
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re serving Breaded Chicken Skewers at a get-together, stand each skewer upright in a mason jar filled with rice or beans for a fun and interactive party display. Or, nestle them in pita wraps with crisp greens and drizzle with your favorite sauce for a hearty weekday sandwich twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, store leftover Breaded Chicken Skewers in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll stay fresh and tasty for up to 3 days, making them perfect for easy lunches or quick snacks.
Freezing
You can absolutely freeze these! Arrange cooled skewers in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer to a zip-top bag, squeezing out as much air as possible. They’ll last in the freezer for up to 2 months. When the craving hits, you’ll be just a quick reheat away from crispy, homemade goodness.
Reheating
To keep the breading crisp, reheat Breaded Chicken Skewers on a baking sheet in a 375°F oven for about 10 minutes, flipping halfway through. Microwave reheating works in a pinch, but the oven or toaster oven is your best bet for preserving that crunch.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Definitely! Chicken thighs are a fantastic substitution for Breaded Chicken Skewers if you want a little extra juiciness. Just trim any excess fat and cut into the same size cubes for even cooking.
What dipping sauces go best with Breaded Chicken Skewers?
These skewers are incredibly versatile. Classic ranch, honey mustard, and spicy mayo are always hits, but you can get creative with barbecue sauce, tzatziki, or even sweet chili sauce for a flavor twist.
How do I prevent the breadcrumbs from falling off?
Press the breadcrumb mixture firmly onto the chicken after dipping in the egg mixture, and make sure the chicken is well coated but not dripping wet. This helps the breading stick throughout baking.
Can I make Breaded Chicken Skewers gluten free?
Absolutely! Just swap regular breadcrumbs for your favorite gluten free variety, and double check that your Parmesan and other seasonings are certified gluten free as well.
What’s the secret to extra crispy skewers?
For the crispiest Breaded Chicken Skewers, use panko breadcrumbs and always finish the last couple minutes of baking under the broiler. Drizzling a little olive oil before baking is also key!
Final Thoughts
I can honestly say these Breaded Chicken Skewers are a kitchen staple you’ll want to make on repeat—they’re fun, family-friendly, and undeniably delicious. Try this recipe the next time you need something easy yet impressive, and enjoy every crispy, flavorful bite!
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Breaded Chicken Skewers Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
These breaded chicken skewers are a delicious and easy-to-make dish that’s perfect for a family dinner or a party appetizer. Juicy chicken pieces are coated in a flavorful breadcrumb mixture and baked to crispy perfection. Serve them with your favorite dipping sauce for a crowd-pleasing meal!
Ingredients
Chicken Skewers:
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes
Breadcrumb Coating:
- 1 cup plain breadcrumbs
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Egg Wash:
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons milk
Additional:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare Coating: Whisk eggs and milk in a shallow bowl. In another bowl, mix breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Thread Chicken: Skewer chicken cubes onto soaked skewers.
- Coat Skewers: Dip skewers in egg wash, then coat with breadcrumb mixture, pressing lightly.
- Bake: Arrange skewers on baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and bake for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Serve: Serve warm with dipping sauce.
Notes
- You can use chicken thighs for juicier skewers.
- For extra crispiness, broil skewers for the last 2–3 minutes of baking.
- Recommended dipping sauces: ranch, honey mustard, or spicy mayo.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 skewers
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 640mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 160mg
