Air Fryer Thai Chicken Skewers with Sweet Chili Sauce
There’s something so comforting about a simple skewer recipe, and these Thai Chicken Skewers completely blew me away. They’re one of those dishes that look humble but taste absolutely unreal.
They’re juicy, flavorful, a little tangy, and so addictive that I kept sneaking bites straight out of the air fryer. The marinade comes together in minutes, the sauce is bright and creamy with just the right amount of heat, and the whole thing feels like something you’d order at your favorite Thai spot but made at home with almost no effort. If you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner that tastes way better than it has any right to, you need these skewers in your life.
And the best part? They cook in under 20 minutes in the air fryer and pair beautifully with simple steamed rice or fresh veggies.
If you love fast weeknight dinners with big flavor, these skewers are about to become one of your go-tos!
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Thai Chicken Skewers
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Quick & easy — 10-minute marinade and the air fryer does the rest.
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Juicy every time — chicken thighs stay moist and tender even at high heat.
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High-protein meal prep friendly — store easily and reheat well.
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A restaurant-style sauce that takes seconds to stir together.
🧂 Ingredients You’ll Need for Air Fryer Thai Chicken Skewers
Tools
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Bamboo skewers (soak 10–15 minutes if air frying)
Main Ingrediets
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4–5 large chicken thighs, cut into 1” pieces
Marinade Ingredients
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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2 tbsp soy sauce
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1 tsp fish sauce
- 1 tsp olive oil
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1/2 tsp garlic powder
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1/2 tsp smoked paprika
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1/4 tsp chili powder (optional)
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1/4 tsp salt
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1/4 tsp black pepper
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Juice of 1 1/2 limes, divided
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1 pinch sugar
Sauce Ingredients
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1/4 cup sweet Thai chili sauce
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1 tbsp mayo
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1/4 tsp soy sauce
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Juice of 1 lime
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1 pinch salt
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Black pepper, to taste
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2 tbsp chopped cilantro
How to Make Air Fryer Thai Chicken Skewers
1. Make the marinade:
Add all marinade ingredients except 1/2 lime’s worth of juice to a large bowl and mix well.
2. Marinate the chicken:
Add the chicken thigh pieces and let them sit for 10–15 minutes.
3. Assemble the skewers:
Thread the chicken onto soaked mini skewers. Pack the pieces close together so they stay juicy.
4. Cook:
Air fry at 400°F for 17–20 minutes, flipping halfway if you prefer more even browning.
5. Make the sauce:
Whisk together sweet chili sauce, mayo, soy sauce, lime juice, salt, pepper, and cilantro.
6. Finish:
Drizzle 2–3 teaspoons of the sauce over each skewer. Add extra cilantro if you love it.
7. Serve:
Enjoy hot with white rice, noodles, or a crisp side salad.
💡 Tips for the Best Chicken Skewers
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Use chicken thighs. They stay juicier than chicken breast at high heat.
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Don’t skip packing the meat tightly. It keeps the chicken moist and gives that “grilled skewer vibe.”
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Soak your skewers. Even in an air fryer, bamboo can scorch if it isn’t soaked.
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Let the edges char. A little browning adds incredible smoky flavor.
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Make extra sauce. Trust me — you’ll want more for drizzling.
🍚 What to Serve With Air Fryer Thai Chicken Skewers
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Steamed jasmine rice
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Coconut rice
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Air-fried veggies (broccoli, green beans, cauliflower)
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Cucumber salad
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Rice noodles with lime + cilantro
🥡 Storage & Reheating
To store:
Keep cooked skewers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
To reheat:
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Air fryer: 350°F for 3–5 minutes
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Microwave: 1-2 minutes
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Oven: 375°F for 5-8 minutes
The sauce can be stored separately for 4–5 days.
Thai Chicken Skewers with Sweet Chili Sauce
Equipment
- bamboo skewers
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 5 large chicken thighs - cut into 1” pieces
Marinade Ingredients:
- 2 cloves garlic - minced
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp fish sauce
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp chili powder - optional
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Juice of 1/2 lime
- 1 pinch sugar
Sauce Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup sweet Thai chili sauce
- 1 tbsp mayo
- 1/4 tsp soy sauce
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1 pinch of salt
- Black pepper
- 2 tbsp chopped cilantro
Instructions
Make the marinade:
- In a large bowl, combine all the marinade ingredients and mix well.
Marinate the chicken:
- Add the chicken thigh pieces to the marinade, mix until fully combined and let sit for 10-15 minutes.
Assemble the skewers:
- Thread the chicken pieces onto skewer that will fit into your air fryer. Pack the chicken pieces together without leaving gaps so they stay moist.
Cook the skewers:
- Air fry at 400°F for 17-20 minutes until fully cooked through.
Make the sauce:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together all the sauce ingredients until smooth, set aside.
Finish:
- When the chicken skewers are done cooking, drizzle 2-3 teaspoons of prepared sauce over each skewer.
Serve:
- Enjoy warm over steamed white rice. Optional: add a squeeze of lime juice or a sprinkle of extra chopped cilantro on top.