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Buffalo Ranch Chicken Skewers Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 116 reviews

These Buffalo Ranch Chicken Skewers are a flavorful and juicy appetizer or meal option. Tender chicken tenders are marinated in a vibrant buffalo and ranch spice blend, skewered, and air fried to perfection. Coated in a buttery buffalo ranch sauce and garnished with fresh chives, they offer a spicy, tangy, and creamy taste experience that’s perfect for parties or weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Marinade

  • 2 lbs chicken tenders (breast or thighs can be used, tenders preferred for moisture)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning (from the ranch spice mix)
  • 1 tablespoon buffalo dry rub (from the buffalo spice mix)

Buffalo Spice Mixture

  • 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper (reduce for less spice)
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 1 tablespoon ground mustard
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Ranch Spice Mixture

  • 2 tablespoons dried parsley
  • 1 tablespoon dried dill
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Butter Sauce

  • 1 – 8 oz stick salted butter
  • 2 tablespoons fresh chives, minced
  • 1.5 tablespoons buffalo seasoning (from buffalo spice mixture)
  • 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning (from ranch spice mixture)

Instructions

  1. Make Seasonings & Prep Chicken: Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning. Combine the buffalo spice ingredients in a bowl and the ranch spice ingredients in a separate bowl. Cut chicken tenders into 3-inch pieces.
  2. Marinate Chicken: Place chicken pieces in a bowl or zip-top bag. Add olive oil, 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning, and 1 tablespoon buffalo dry rub. Toss or shake to coat the chicken evenly in all sides with the marinade.
  3. Skewer Chicken: Thread chicken pieces tightly onto the soaked wooden skewers, packing them close together to help retain moisture during cooking.
  4. Prepare Butter Sauce: Soften the stick of butter by microwaving it for 15 seconds until creamy but not fully melted. Mix in 1.5 tablespoons buffalo seasoning, 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning, and minced fresh chives. Taste and adjust seasoning by adding more buffalo or ranch mixtures to reach desired spice level.
  5. Prepare for Basting: Scoop about one-third of the butter sauce into a small bowl to use for basting the raw chicken prior to cooking. Reserve the remaining sauce for basting cooked chicken to avoid cross-contamination.
  6. Cook Chicken Skewers: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Arrange 2-3 skewers in the air fryer basket. Cook the skewers for 5 minutes. Remove and flip the skewers, then baste with reserved sauce from the small bowl. Return to the air fryer and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
  7. Continue Cooking & Basting: Flip the skewers back again, baste with more sauce, and cook for 5-6 more minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Total cook time is approximately 12-15 minutes but may vary based on your air fryer.
  8. Final Touches: After cooking, give the skewers a final coat of the buttery buffalo ranch sauce and sprinkle with fresh chives if desired. Serve hot.

Notes

  • Soaking wooden skewers prevents them from burning in the air fryer.
  • Chicken tenders are preferred for their moistness but breasts or thighs also work.
  • Adjust cayenne pepper in the buffalo spice mix to control heat level.
  • Use a clean basting brush to avoid cross-contamination between raw and cooked chicken.
  • Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is fully cooked (165°F).
  • Cooking times may vary depending on air fryer model and size.

Keywords: Buffalo Chicken Skewers, Air Fryer Chicken, Spicy Chicken Skewers, Buffalo Ranch Chicken, Appetizer, Party Food

Find it online: https://zarameals.com/buffalo-ranch-chicken-skewers-recipe/