These Chicken Skewers are crispy on the outside and so juicy inside. The marinade tenderizes the chicken and adds tons of flavor to this chicken. It’s no wonder this easy chicken recipe has been a family favorite for years.
Breading chicken is one of my favorite ways to prepare chicken because it adds crunch and helps keep the chicken from drying out, just like with our Crispy Chicken Sandwiches and Chicken Parmesan. It also makes the chicken reheat nicely.
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Chicken Skewers Video
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This Breaded Chicken Skewers recipe comes from my Aunt Tanya in Washington. Seems like everyone in our family has adopted these chicken skewers. It’s perfect for parties or your next family meal. If you take them off the skewers to serve, they resemble Popcorn Chicken. The kids gave this recipe two thumbs up.
Ingredients for Chicken Skewers
The list of ingredients for chicken skewers is short and simple and you may already have everything you need in your refrigerator and pantry:
- Chicken – we use chicken breast but you can substitute with chicken thigh meat that has been trimmed of fat. It’s just too much work for me. Chicken breast requires almost no prep.
- Bread crumbs – we use Italian-style bread crumbs, pictured below.
- Mayonnaise – adds wonderful moisture and tenderness to the chicken. If you don’t want to use mayo, you can also use ranch but go light on the salt since ranch has more salt in it than mayo.
- Mrs. Dash – this is our favorite salt-free seasoning. Any all-purpose salt-free seasoning will work here. you could also use the garlic-flavored dash.
- Salt & Pepper – simple seasonings are all you need.
- Oil – to sautee the skewers. I use extra light olive oil for nearly all of my cooking, but canola oil, vegetable oil, or any high heat neutral oil will work great.
- Skewers – I used 12 small wooden skewers. Make sure your skewers fit the length of your skillet comfortably so you can flip them easily.
How to Make Skewered Chicken
- Cut chicken – cut into 3/4″ wide pieces and add to a large mixing bowl.
- Season with salt, pepper, and Mrs. Dash. Stir in 3/4 cup mayo.
- Marinate – cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or overnight (although I have also breaded and fried right away without any marinating and they still worked well).
- Skewer the chicken onto the wooden sticks.
- Breading – Pour bread crumbs on a large plate or platter. Roll the chicken skewers in bread crumbs until evenly coated.
- Sautee – In a large non-stick pan, add enough oil to generously cover the bottom and place over medium heat. Saute the chicken skewers for 3 minutes per side or until well browned on all sides and 165˚F at the thickest part of the chicken on a thermometer. Place on a paper towel-lined plate to soak up excess oil.
To Serve
You’ll want lemon wedges to squeeze over the fried chicken. It adds brightness and freshness to the chicken. You can also pair these with your favorite dipping sauces such as:
- Tomato Marinara
- Homemade Salsa
- Avocado Ranch
- Jalapeno Ranch
- Ketchup
- Fry Sauce
- Ranch
Make-Ahead
- Marinate – you can marinate overnight for super tender and flavorful chicken then bread and fry before serving.
- Keeping Skewers Warm – You can make them earlier in the day and warm them up in the oven in a baking dish before your party or dinner.
- Refrigerating – Once skewers have been sauteed and cooled, cover and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
I hope these Chicken Skewers become a new favorite for your family for years to come. It’s a chicken recipe that’s worth discovering.
Breaded Chicken Skewers
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken breast
- 1 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
- 3/4 cup real mayonnaise
- 1 tsp Mrs Dash
- 1 tsp fine sea salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
- extra light olive oil, or canola oil, to fry
- 12 small wooden skewers
Instructions
- Cut the chicken into 3/4" wide pieces and place in a large mixing bowl. Season with salt, pepper, and Mrs. Dash. Mix in 3/4 cup mayo then let the chicken marinate in the refrigerator for 1 hour or overnight.
- Thread the chicken pieces onto the skewers. Try to have the flat sides facing in one direction for even cooking.
- Pour bread crumbs on a large plate or platter. Roll the chicken skewers in bread crumbs until evenly coated.
- In a large nonstick pan, add enough oil to generously cover the bottom, set pan over medium heat. Sautee the chicken skewers for about 3 minutes per side, flipping until golden brown on both sides and the internal temperature reaches 165˚F on an instant read thermometer.
- Transfer to a paper towel lined platter to absorb any excess oil then serve.
Nutrition Per Serving
We first published this chicken skewer recipe in 2010. It’s an oldie but a goodie. This is a photo from back in the day. I still have that plate!
Natasha Kravchuk
Hi! I'm Natasha Kravchuk. Here you'll find delicious, trusted recipes with easy step-by-step photos and videos. 
Hi Natasha….was wondering if you can make these in the air-fryer?? Just purchased one and I am obsessed with it.
Hi Donna, I saw one of our readers shared this comment “My family loves when I make your recipes. The one change I made is cooking the chicken in an air fryer. 10 minutes at 400°, don’t even need to turn. I tried with skewers and without, worked perfectly both ways.” I hope that helps.
I made it in the air fryer and it was perfectly moist and crispy.
Delicious! It’s a keeper!!
Wonderful, Kimy! Thank you for sharing. I’m glad you loved the recipe.
I use your recipes every night, Natasha! I’m obsessed. I’ve made a great many of your items, but I had to especially comment on this one because of the kid-friendly aspect. I have a wildly picky 5 year old, and this is his favorite meal. He actually really enjoys cooking them with me! My 5 and 6 YO’s crush the entire 2 pounds of these every time we make them! Thanks so much for all the recipes that suit children so well!
Thank you so much, Janel! That’s wonderful. I’m so glad they loved this recipe.
I made these tonight following the recipe exactly as written. They were fantastic! I will definitely make these again! Thank you for sharing this recipe!
You’re very welcome! So glad you loved them. 🙂
My entire family, including 3 kiddos, gobbled these up! Used panko instead of Italian bread crumbs.
Hi Rose! That’s wonderful. So glad they were enjoyed.
Delicious. My children loved it and couldn’t stop eating it. We used panko breadcrumbs.
Great to hear that your family loved this recipe!
Is it possible to make this in an air fryer? It looks delicious and I can’t wait to make it.
Hi Machelle, I saw one of our readers shared this comment “My family loves when I make your recipes. The one change I made is cooking the chicken in an air fryer. 10 minutes at 400°, don’t even need to turn. I tried with skewers and without, worked perfectly both ways.” I hope that helps.
I just made them they were really good! I will make them again!
Great to hear that you enjoyed it!
I completely followed your recipe and it was so delicious. Didn’t have any small skewers at the time, so I just fried up the pieces of chicken and it was still awesome. Thank you so much for having shared this recipe with us. I will try it out as an actual chicken sandwich next time.
You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Connie!
I followed your recipe to the T and this chicken was delicious. Didn’t have small enough skewers to use in the pan, so I just fried up the chicken pieces. They came out so delicious and moist. Thanks for this recipe. I will use it next time for a chicken breast sandwich.
That’s just awesome! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review!
Sharky was on your right hand after chicken was cooked- I’ve watched this many times didn’t notice- I thought it was a pot holder
I’m so glad you caught it! Great eye, Jan! Thank you so much for watching!
Do you have to use chicken we are having pork chops and would love to see the breading on them.
Hi Vicky, one of my readers wrote it works great with port. I hope you love this recipe!
These are so good! Once I have 1, I can’t stop 🙂 On the Nutrition Facts label, how much is 1 serving? 1 skewer?
Hi Amy! Each skewer is a serving! I hope that helps!
The Breaded Chicken Skewers is aahh-mazing!!! Very easy to make and prepare, and I made sure to marinate the chicken pieces overnight, which made a huge difference! The chicken was tender and moist, and my sister and I served this dish some with Mac & Cheese on the side. Thank you for sharing, Ms. Natasha!!!
Aah, that’s a perfect combo, I can only imagine! I’m glad you enjoyed this recipe, Shawnae. Thank you for this review!
I liked them I just think I’ll use Greek yogurt next time instead of mayo. I am a mayo fan, but less fat and cholesterol are always a good thing. I also found out if you don’t pack the skewers too tightly, they fry more evenly. Great idea Tasty.
Thank you for the feedback, Daphne. So glad you enjoyed this recipe.
Made these as chicken strips. Marinaded overnight. Used panko bread crumbles or any on hand. Baked in an air fryer. Served with asparagus and salad. Easy dinner. Kid friendly.
Mayo helps chicken breast stay moist.
Yum! That sounds amazing, Sveta! sharing that with me!
Hi Natasha. Thank you for posting the recipe. It is absolutely delicious. I have some leftover. What is the best way to warm them up without drying out the chicken.
You’re welcome, I’m glad you love it! I would suggest letting it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes then preheat the oven to 400 and bake the chicken (arranged in a single layer on the baking sheet) for about 12-15 minutes or until the chicken is hot.
Have you made them with seasoned panko crumbs yet? Also wonder if pretzel crumbs would work. Thanks for the recipe and yes sounds like a winne, winner chicken dinner.
Hi Rosemary, I haven’t tried those substitutions, so I can’t speak to that. Substitutions may hinder the recipe outcome. I always suggest making a recipe as written the first time around.
This was just excellent! My family all got a plate (served with salad), then came back with “where’s the rest?”. 2.5 lbs of chicken and they couldn’t get enough. Note: I only found “herb and garlic” Mrs. Dash – still excellent. Thanks for the keeper Natasha, my swim team son is in love!
You’re welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed this recipe. Thank you for the review.
Hi Natasha,
I made these for dinner tonight – just deliciious. I did add a bit of garlic powder with the salt and pepper.
Can hardly wait to make them again.
I love your recipes.
When will your cookbook be published?
So glad you enjoyed this recipe. I am already working on the cookbook, I’ll make sure to announce it and share it with you all when it’s ready. Thank you for patiently waiting.
Hi Natasha!
Seems like an awesome recipe. Will def try soon. Just one question. Do you cut the chicken fillet lengthwise first and then make cubes?
Hi Mehreen! Yes- that is correct. Reference the video for this recipe to see how I am cutting the chicken.