Transform ordinary weeknight dinners into an exciting meal with these Air Fryer Korean Chicken Skewers. Tender chunks of chicken thighs soak up a vibrant, savory-sweet Korean-inspired glaze before getting a quick, perfectly charred finish in the air fryer.
This recipe delivers all the bold flavors of traditional grilled skewers with a fraction of the mess and time.
Recipe Overview
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Marinate Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into uniform bite-sized pieces
- 1/4 cup dark brown sugar (packed)
- 1/4 cup gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 teaspoons freshly minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon ginger paste
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Chopped green onions (for garnish)
- Toasted sesame seeds (for garnish)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Mix the Marinade
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the dark brown sugar, gochujang chili paste, soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, rice vinegar, minced garlic, ginger paste, and smoked paprika.
Whisk the mixture vigorously until the brown sugar has completely dissolved and a smooth, thick glaze forms.
2. Marinate the Chicken
Add the cubed chicken thighs to the bowl with the marinade. Stir thoroughly to ensure every piece of chicken is evenly coated.
Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator to marinate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to deeply penetrate the meat.
3. Thread the Skewers
While the chicken marinates, soak wooden skewers in water for 20 minutes to prevent them from burning in the air fryer (skip this step if using metal skewers).
Thread the marinated chicken pieces tightly onto the skewers, leaving a small gap at both ends for easy handling.
4. Preheat and Cook
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the prepared skewers in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded (cook in batches if necessary).
5. Air Fry to Perfection
Cook the skewers for 6 minutes. Carefully open the basket, flip each skewer over, and cook for an additional 6 minutes. To ensure food safety, insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest piece of chicken; it should register at least 165°F (74°C).
6. Garnish and Serve
Transfer the hot skewers to a serving platter. Generously sprinkle with freshly chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds just before serving.
Pro Cooking Tips
Skewers Size Matters
If your air fryer basket is on the smaller side, opt for shorter bamboo skewers, or trim standard wooden skewers with kitchen shears so they fit comfortably without touching the sides.
Don’t Skip the Soak
If using wooden skewers, soaking them in water for at least 20 minutes prevents them from catching fire or smoking excessively in the high heat of the air fryer.
Even Sizing
Cut your chicken thighs into uniform pieces to ensure they cook at the exact same rate.
Batch Cooking
Avoid stacking or overlapping the skewers in the air fryer basket. Air circulation is key to getting those delicious caramelized edges.
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value |
| Calories | 626 kcal | — |
| Total Fat | 35g | 45% |
| Saturated Fat | 10g | 50% |
| Total Carbohydrates | 26g | 10% |
| Dietary Fiber | 0g | 1% |
| Total Sugars | 21g | — |
| Protein | 55g | 109% |
| Cholesterol | 290mg | 97% |
| Sodium | 1731mg | 75% |
| Vitamin C | 3mg | 4% |
| Calcium | 45mg | 3% |
| Iron | 3mg | 15% |
| Potassium | 660mg | 14% |
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may vary depending on individual calorie needs.
