Introduction

Buffalo Ranch Chicken Skewers combine the bold flavors of spicy buffalo sauce with creamy ranch seasoning for a deliciously juicy bite. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a tasty appetizer, these skewers are easy to prepare and cook in the air fryer for convenience.

Buffalo Ranch Chicken Skewers Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

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

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 spice mix: cayenne, chili powder, paprika, ground mustard, brown sugar, cumin, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. In another bowl, mix ranch seasonings: dried parsley, dried dill, 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 2 teaspoons onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.
Step 3: Cut chicken tenders into 3-inch pieces. Place in a bowl or zip-top bag and add olive oil, 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning, and 1 tablespoon buffalo dry rub. Toss to coat evenly.
Step 4: Thread the chicken pieces tightly onto the soaked skewers, leaving no gaps to keep the meat juicy.
Step 5: Soften butter by microwaving for about 15 seconds until creamy but not fully melted. Stir in 1.5 tablespoons buffalo seasoning, 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning, and minced chives. Adjust seasoning to taste.
Step 6: Reserve about one-third of this buttery sauce in a small bowl for basting the raw chicken. Use the rest to baste cooked skewers—wash your basting brush thoroughly when switching between raw and cooked sauce.
Step 7: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Cook 2-3 skewers at a time for 5 minutes. Remove and flip skewers, then baste with reserved sauce. Return to air fryer for 2 more minutes.
Step 8: 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 cooking time will be about 12-15 minutes depending on your air fryer.
Step 9: After cooking, generously coat the skewers with the buttery buffalo ranch sauce and sprinkle with extra chives. Serve warm, ideally with ranch dressing for dipping.

Tips & Variations

For milder heat, reduce cayenne pepper and increase brown sugar slightly to balance the spice.
Try using chicken thighs instead of tenders for a richer flavor, but adjust cooking time as needed.
To add smoky flavor, sprinkle a little smoked paprika along with the other spices.
If you don’t have an air fryer, grill the skewers over medium heat, turning and basting frequently until cooked through.

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 (175°C) until warmed through to maintain juiciness. Avoid microwaving to keep the texture firm and flavorful.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare the chicken skewers ahead of time?

Yes, you can marinate the chicken overnight in the refrigerator to enhance the flavors. Just assemble the skewers shortly before cooking to maintain freshness.

What can I serve with Buffalo Ranch Chicken Skewers?

These skewers pair well with fresh veggie sticks, a crisp salad, or classic sides like coleslaw and roasted potatoes. Don’t forget extra ranch for dipping!

Buffalo Ranch Chicken Skewers Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 88 reviews

These Buffalo Ranch Chicken Skewers are a deliciously spicy and savory appetizer or main dish featuring moist chicken tenders marinated and coated in a flavorful buffalo and ranch seasoning blend. Cooked to juicy perfection in the air fryer with a rich, buttery buffalo ranch sauce for basting, they are perfect for game day, parties, or a quick weeknight meal.

Author: Tara
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
Total Time: 27-30 minutes
Yield: 6–8 skewers, serves 4-6 people 1x
Category: Appetizer
Method: Air Frying
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Marinade

2 lbs chicken tenders (or breast or thighs, but tenders preferred for moisture)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon ranch seasoning (for marinade)
1 tablespoon buffalo dry rub (for marinade)

Buffalo Dry Rub

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 Seasoning

1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 tablespoon dried dill
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon dried chives (for garnish and sauce)

Butter Sauce

1 stick (8 oz) salted butter
1.5 tablespoons buffalo seasoning
1 tablespoon ranch seasoning
2 tablespoons fresh chives, minced

Instructions

Soak Skewers: Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning during cooking.
Prepare Seasonings: In one small bowl combine the buffalo dry rub ingredients to create the buffalo spice mixture. In another bowl combine the dried parsley, dill, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to create the ranch seasoning blend.
Prep Chicken: Cut chicken tenders into approximately 3-inch pieces. Place the chicken pieces in a bowl or zip-top bag and add olive oil, 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning, and 1 tablespoon buffalo dry rub. Toss or seal and shake to coat all pieces thoroughly.
Skewer Chicken: Thread chicken pieces tightly on the soaked wooden skewers, ensuring no gaps to keep the pieces juicy while cooking.
Make Butter Sauce: Place butter in a microwave-safe bowl and heat for about 15 seconds until softened but not fully melted. Stir in 1.5 tablespoons buffalo seasoning and 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning, then fold in the minced fresh chives. Adjust seasoning to taste by adding more buffalo or ranch spices as desired.
Prepare for Basting: Reserve about one-third of the butter sauce in a separate bowl for basting the raw chicken. This avoids cross-contamination when basting cooked chicken later. Keep the remaining sauce for basting cooked chicken and wash the basting brush between uses.
Air Fry Chicken: Place 2-3 skewers in the air fryer basket. Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes. Remove and flip the skewers, then baste with the reserved uncooked butter sauce. Return the skewers to the air fryer and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
Continue Cooking & Basting: Flip skewers back to the original side, baste again with the sauce, and cook for another 5-6 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). total cook time should be around 12-15 minutes, depending on your air fryer.
Finish & Serve: After cooking, generously brush the skewers with the remaining buttery buffalo ranch sauce and sprinkle additional fresh chives on top. Serve immediately with ranch dressing for dipping if desired.

Notes

Soaking the skewers is essential to prevent them from burning during air frying.
Adjust the cayenne pepper quantity in the buffalo rub to moderate the spicy heat.
Ensure chicken is cut into uniform sizes for even cooking.
Use immediate refrigeration of leftover sauce to maintain freshness.
Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure safety.

Keywords: Buffalo chicken skewers, air fryer chicken, buffalo ranch chicken, spicy chicken skewers, game day recipes