Introduction

Buffalo Ranch Chicken Skewers are a flavorful and juicy treat perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a weekend gathering. Marinated in a spicy buffalo blend and creamy ranch butter, these skewers offer a tasty twist on classic chicken skewers with minimal fuss.

Buffalo Ranch Chicken Skewers Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

2 lbs chicken tenders (or breast/thighs, tenders preferred for moisture)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 – 8oz stick salted butter
2 tablespoons fresh chives, minced
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 tablespoon dried dill
2 teaspoons garlic powder (divided)
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon paprika
1 tablespoon ground mustard
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon cumin
2 teaspoons onion powder
1/2 teaspoon salt (divided)
1/2 teaspoon black pepper (divided)
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)

Instructions

Step 1: Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning during cooking.
Step 2: In a small bowl, combine buffalo seasoning by mixing 1 tablespoon chili powder, 1 tablespoon paprika, 1 tablespoon ground mustard, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cumin, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 2 teaspoons onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper.
Step 3: In a separate bowl, prepare ranch seasoning by mixing 1 tablespoon dried parsley, 1 tablespoon dried dill, 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
Step 4: Cut the chicken tenders into 3-inch pieces. Place them in a bowl or zip-top bag, add olive oil, 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning, and 1 tablespoon buffalo seasoning, then toss well to coat evenly.
Step 5: Thread the chicken pieces tightly onto the soaked skewers, ensuring no gaps for maximum juiciness.
Step 6: Soften butter by microwaving it for about 15 seconds until creamy but not melted. Stir in 1.5 tablespoons buffalo seasoning, 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning, and minced chives. Adjust seasoning to taste.
Step 7: Set aside about one-third of the butter sauce in a small bowl for basting raw chicken. Use the remaining sauce to baste cooked chicken to avoid cross-contamination. Remember to wash your basting brush between uses.
Step 8: Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Cook 2-3 skewers at a time for 5 minutes.
Step 9: Remove skewers, flip them, baste with sauce, and return to the air fryer for 2 minutes more.
Step 10: Flip skewers again, baste with more sauce, and cook for an additional 5-6 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Total cook time is about 12-15 minutes but may vary by air fryer.
Step 11: Once cooked, brush with a final layer of buttery buffalo ranch sauce and sprinkle with extra chives. Serve with ranch dressing for dipping if desired.

Tips & Variations

For less heat, reduce cayenne pepper or omit it altogether.
Chicken breasts or thighs can be used instead of tenders, but adjust cooking time accordingly.
Try grilling the skewers instead of using an air fryer for a smoky flavor.
Serve with celery sticks and extra ranch dressing for a classic buffalo chicken experience.

Storage

Store leftover cooked skewers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the air fryer or oven at 350°F until warmed through to maintain juiciness. The butter sauce can be stored separately and warmed slightly before reheating the chicken.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare these skewers ahead of time?

Yes, you can marinate the chicken and prepare the butter sauce a few hours in advance or overnight for enhanced flavor. Keep the chicken refrigerated until ready to cook.

What if I don’t have an air fryer?

You can cook these skewers on a grill or in a hot oven at 400°F. Turn and baste frequently, cooking until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Buffalo Ranch Chicken Skewers Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 108 reviews

These Buffalo Ranch Chicken Skewers are a perfect blend of spicy buffalo flavors and creamy ranch seasonings, combined with tender chicken tenders cooked to juicy perfection in an air fryer. Coated in a flavorful seasoned butter sauce and garnished with fresh chives, these skewers make a delicious and easy appetizer or main dish, ideal for game day or casual gatherings.

Author: Dylan
Prep Time: 40 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Yield: 6 servings (approximately 3 skewers per serving) 1x
Category: Appetizer
Method: Air Frying
Cuisine: American
Diet: Halal

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Marinade

2 lbs chicken tenders (or chicken breast/thighs, but tenders preferred for moisture)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon ranch seasoning (from the ranch spice mix below)
1 tablespoon buffalo dry rub seasoning (from the buffalo spice mix below)

Buffalo Spice Mixture

1 tablespoon cayenne pepper (reduce for milder spice)
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon paprika
1 tablespoon ground mustard
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon cumin
2 teaspoons garlic powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper

Ranch Seasoning Mixture

2 tablespoons dried parsley
1 tablespoon dried dill
1 tablespoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons onion powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper

Butter Mixture & Garnish

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

Instructions

Make Seasonings & Prep Chicken: Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning. Combine buffalo spice ingredients in a small bowl and ranch spice ingredients in another bowl. Cut chicken tenders into 3-inch pieces and place in a bowl or zip-top bag. Add olive oil, 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning, and 1 tablespoon buffalo dry rub; toss to coat evenly.
Assemble Skewers: Thread the marinated chicken pieces tightly onto the soaked wooden skewers with no gaps to keep them juicy during cooking.
Make Butter Mixture: Soften the stick of butter by microwaving for 15 seconds until creamy and slightly melted but not fully melted. Stir in 1.5 tablespoons buffalo seasoning and 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning, then mix in the minced fresh chives. Adjust seasoning to taste by adding more buffalo or ranch if desired.
Prepare for Cooking: Scoop out one-third of the butter sauce into a small bowl to use as a basting sauce for the uncooked chicken. Reserve the remaining butter sauce for basting the cooked chicken to avoid cross-contamination. Wash the basting brush between uses.
Air Fry Chicken Skewers: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Cook 2-3 skewers at a time for 5 minutes. Remove, flip the skewers, baste them with the butter sauce, and return to air fryer for an additional 2 minutes.
Continue Cooking & Basting: Flip the skewers back over, baste more butter sauce, and cook for another 5-6 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Total cook time ranges from 12 to 15 minutes, depending on your air fryer model.
Serve: Once cooked, give the skewers a final brush of the buttery buffalo ranch sauce and sprinkle with extra fresh chives. Serve hot with ranch dressing on the side for dipping if desired.

Notes

Soaking wooden skewers prevents them from burning during air frying.
Adjust cayenne pepper quantity in buffalo seasoning to control spiciness.
Ensure chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F for safe consumption.
Use fresh chives for garnish to add a fresh, mild onion flavor.
Butter mixture can be doubled if you prefer more sauce for basting or dipping.
Cooking times may vary depending on air fryer size and model; check chicken doneness accordingly.

Keywords: Buffalo Chicken Skewers, Air Fryer Chicken, Spicy Chicken Skewers, Ranch Chicken, Appetizer, Game Day Recipe, Easy Chicken Skewers