Ingredients
Scale
For the Marinade:
- 1½ pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
For the Kabobs:
- 2 bell peppers, any color, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 medium zucchini, sliced into ½-inch coins
- ½ red onion, cut into 1-inch chunks
- 8 to 10 wooden or metal skewers
For Ellie’s Greek Twist Marinade (optional):
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons dried oregano
- 2 tablespoons fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, smoked paprika, cumin, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Add chicken cubes and toss well to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours.
- Cut bell peppers, zucchini, and red onion into pieces roughly the same size as the chicken cubes.
- Thread chicken and vegetables onto skewers, alternating chicken with peppers, zucchini, and onion. Aim for 3 to 4 pieces of chicken per skewer.
- Preheat air fryer to 390°F for 3 to 5 minutes. Lightly spray the basket with cooking oil.
- Place skewers in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Do not overcrowd. Cook in batches if needed.
- Air fry for 12 to 15 minutes, flipping once halfway through at the 7-minute mark, until golden, slightly charred at the edges, and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
For the Greek Twist: Replace the main marinade with olive oil, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, and fresh parsley. Marinate for at least 1 hour. Cook exactly the same way. Drizzle reserved marinade over kabobs before serving and pair with warm pita and tzatziki.
Notes
- Soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes before threading to prevent burning.
- Cut all chicken and vegetable pieces to the same size for even cooking.
- No skewers? Toss marinated chicken and vegetables directly in the air fryer basket. Cook at 390°F for 12 to 15 minutes, tossing halfway through.
- Chicken thighs are recommended over breasts for juicier results.
- Always verify doneness with a meat thermometer. Internal temperature must reach 165°F.
- Store leftovers off the skewers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Freeze raw marinated chicken in a zip-top bag for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 10
- Marinating Time: 30-60
- Cook Time: 15
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American