Here’s an easy Chinese chicken on a stick recipe that’s perfect for entertaining. These Chinese chicken skewers are quick, and packed full of Asian flavors. The air fryer cooks meats to perfection you will love how these turn out in just 15 mins. Let me show you exactly how to make these mouth watering air fryer appetizers in easy steps.
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Table of Contents
- Air fryer Chinese Chicken on a stick
- Join our Air fryer recipes group on Facebook!
- Why you’ll love this Chinese chicken skewers recipe.
- Ingredients
- Tools needed for this recipe
- How long to cook chicken on a stick?
- Chicken on a stick marinade
- How to make air fryer Chinese chicken on a stick
- Other ways to make chicken on a stick
- What to serve with Chinese chicken on a stick
- How to store and reheat
- Air frying Tips
- FAQs
- What is Chinese Oyster Sauce?
- More skewered meat recipes
- Chinese chicken on a stick (Chinese Skewers recipe)
Air fryer Chinese Chicken on a stick
This is an easy chicken appetizer that’s sure to please. With a few simple ingredients you are well on your way to making a delicious side dish or appetizer that’s sure to impress.
I’m yet to come across anyone that has passed on seconds and even thirds whenever I take these to a gathering. It’s always a hit!
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Why you’ll love this Chinese chicken skewers recipe.
- Easy
- Family friendly
- Quick
- Delicious crowd pleaser
Related: Air fryer Greek chicken souvlaki
Ingredients
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- Sesame oil
- Garlic powder
- Black pepper
- Oyster sauce
- chilli sauce or sriracha sauce
- Gluten free soy sauce
- Sesame seeds
- Spring onions
Substitutions
- Chicken: I used boneless chicken breasts for this recipe, feel free to swap it out with boneless skinless chicken thighs.
- Oil: Use any cooking you like to use.
- Oyster sauce: You can substitute this with hoisin sauce
- Soy sauce: If not gluten free you can use regular soy sauce. You can also use Worcestershire sauce as a substitute to soy sauce.
Tools needed for this recipe
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- This recipe was made using the Cosori 5.8qt air fryer you can get yours here for 15% off with code AFY15 while supplies last. You can also get the Cosori 5.8qt in white, red or black at Amazon if you prefer.
- Parchment paper
- 8 inch Bamboo skewers
- Mixing bowl
- Pastry brush
How long to cook chicken on a stick?
The length of time it takes to cook chicken on a stick depends on the method of cooking employed.
Wondering how long to cook Chinese chicken on a stick in the air fryer? You are in the right place. It took about 15 mins to cook those chicken skewers in my Cosori air fryer without preheating.
Bear in mind that air fryers vary therefore a better way to check if your chicken is fully cooked is by using an instant read thermometer which should read at least 165°F / 74°C to be considered fully cooked and safe to eat.
It takes about 20 to 25 mins to bake chicken on a stick in the oven, about 10 mins on the grill and on the stovetop. Always remember to use the internal temperature as a guide to know when meats are fully cooked.
Chicken on a stick marinade
This Chinese chicken on a stick recipe uses a simple chicken marinade that consists of oyster sauce, garlic powder, soy sauce black pepper, chilli sauce and sesame oil.
In a bowl: Mix the chicken on a stick marinade and toss the diced chicken in it. Cover bowl in with let it sit in the marinade for at least 15 minutes if you are in a hurry or 30 mins to up to 24 hrs in the refrigerator if you have more time.
Using freezer bag: You can also transfer to a ziplock bag to marinate in the refrigerator.
How to make air fryer Chinese chicken on a stick
This is an overview of the recipe with step by step photos. Scroll down to end of post for a printable recipe card with the amount of ingredients and full recipe instructions.
Cut chicken into 1 inch bite sizes. Add the other ingredients to the chicken and toss to combine till all chicken pieces are well coated. Let it marinate in the sauce for 15 mins
Tread the chicken on prepared wooden skewers. Place the chicken on a stick pieces in the air fryer basket. Set temperature to 400F / 200C and cook for 7 mins. Open the air fryer brush with more oyster sauce flip an continue cooking for another 7 mins, brush on more sauce and cook for another minute.
Other ways to make chicken on a stick
Don’t have an air fryer yet? You can make Chinese chicken on on a stick in the oven, grill or stovetop. Instructions to follow.
Oven
Preheat the oven to 400°F / 200°C Place chicken skewers in the preheated oven and cook for 20 to 25 mins.
Grill
You can cook these in an indoor or out door grill for about 10 mins. Add more time if the internal temp hasn’t reached 165°F / 74°C.
Stovetop
Brush the grill pan with oil then place skewered chicken on the grill pan. Cook for up to 10 mins flipping half way through.
What to serve with Chinese chicken on a stick
- Fried rice
- salads
- Breads
- Coleslaw
How to store and reheat
These Chicken skewers can be stored in the refrigerator in an air tight container for up to 5 days. Storage is same for leftovers and meal prep. You can store with the skewers if you have a container that would fit them or simply remove from skewers and store them as chicken bites.
Reheating
Chinese chicken on a stick can be reheated in the microwave or air fryer. If using the microwave, reheat in a microwave safe plate at 30 secs intervals till warmed through.
To reheat in the air fryer, set temperature to 350°F / 180°C and warm for 5 to 6 mins or until warmed through.
Air frying Tips
- Cut the skewers to size by placing it over and measuring the length.
- You can soak the skewers in water for up to 30 mins if using the grill or oven. This will prevent the skewers from burning. I haven’t noticed any issues when cooking it in the air fryer without soaking the skewers.
- Try to cut chicken into equal sizes so that they cook evenly.
- Brushing the chicken intermittently adds more flavor
- Flip chicken half way through to ensure even cooking
FAQs
What is the best part of chicken to use for chicken on a stick?
Boneless skinless Chicken thighs or chicken breasts are best for chicken skewers recipes. Chicken thighs are more flavorful and more forgiving if over cooked than chicken breasts. Both work perfectly, however if you are looking for leaner meat, use chicken breast.
Can these be made without skewers?
Yes you can! However they won’t be called Chinese chicken on a stick or Chinese chicken skewers anymore as those sticks define them. They would be called chicken bites instead.
Is Chinese chicken on a stick the same as teriyaki chicken on a stick?
They are similar but not the same. In fact, teriyaki chicken on a stick is a type of chinese chicken on a stick. The difference is in the marinade. Teriyaki sauce is included in the marinade for teriyaki chicken on a stick.
What is Chinese Oyster Sauce?
Oyster sauce is a sweet and salty Asian condiments made from oyster juices, salt and sugar. It is used in marinades and sauces.
More skewered meat recipes
- Air fryer Greek Chicken souvlaki
- Thai satay
- Air fryer meatball skewers
- Steak and potatoes skewers
Check out all our >>>Air fryer Recipes!
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Air Fryer Yum’s Pro Tip! Air fryer temperatures may vary depending on size, make and model. When making a recipe for the first time, start with less time, check for doneness then add more time as needed.
Chinese chicken on a stick (Chinese Skewers recipe)
Equipment
- Air fryer
- Bamboo skewers
- Perforated Parchment paper
Ingredients
- 1.3 lbs boneless chicken breasts or thighs
- 2 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 4 tablespoon Oyster sauce
- 2 Tablespoon Chilli sauce or sriracha sauce
- 2 tablespoon soy sauce
garnish
- 1 Tablespoon sesame seeds
- 2 Tablespoons spring onions
Instructions
- Cut chicken into bite sized cubes about 2 inches
- Mix oil oyster sauce and chili sauce, divide mixture into two and set one part aside for brushing the meat while it cooks
- Add soy sauce, garlic powder, black pepper and half of the oyster sauce mix from step 2, to the chicken, mix till chicken is well coated.
- Thread coated chicken through skewers
- Place in a parchment lined air Fryer basket or tray and air fry at 400°F / 200°C for 7 mins.
- After 7 mins pull out basket / tray and brush some sauce some sauce in the chicken before flipping them over.
- Continue cooking for another 7 mins then brush the last sauce on chicken and cook for one more min. Check that the internal temperature has reached 165°F / 74°C.
- Let chicken rest for a minute before serving. Serve as is or with your favorite side dishes.
Nutrition
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Very flavorful! I will make this again.I did have to substitute hoisin for oyster sauce and sweet chili sauce with garlic for the chili sauce. But I would have cut way, way, way back on the hot sauce regardless. Also, I made this in my Quisinart toaster oven with convection, and it worked great!
Hey MEJ,
Thank you for your feedback. Happy to hear it turned out flavorful! and good call adjusting the heat to your taste. Enjoy 😊
-Chichi
Very delicious but the recipe doesnt make sense..can you clarify these two steps...the reference to oil is mentioned twice and is confusing:
2. Mix oil oyster sauce and chili sauce, divide mixture into two and set one part aside for brushing the meat while it cooks
3. Add the oil, half of the oyster sauce mix, soy sauce, garlic powder black pepper to the chicken, mix till chicken is well coated.
Hi Darynn,
Sorry for the confusion. It should be add one half of the oyster sauce mix. Thank you for your observation. Happy you enjoyed it.
This is one of the best chicken recipes I’ve tried since I got my air fryer. In all honesty I haven’t used my air fryer much. But this is a keeper. Thanks.
Hi Sandy!
So happy you enjoyed it. We love it too. Thanks for letting us know. Hope you get to try more recipes on the site.
Hmmm, thinking I may try this with some drumsticks, in the freezer, I need to use. How would you adjust the cooking time?
Thanks...
Hi Melanie!
Yes you can swap out the chicken breast for drumsticks. Chicken drumsticks cook for another 25 to 30 mins depending on the size. A meat thermometer is the best judge. The internal temp of chicken should be at least 165°F /174°C when it’s fully cooked.
Here is a chicken drumsticks recipe you can use as a guide.
https://www.airfryeryum.com/air-fryer-chicken-legs/
Feel free to reach out if you have more questions.
We tried this recipe and It was a hit. Will be making this again. Thanks.
Hi Kat,
Thank you for letting me know. Enjoy!
I want to do this without the skewers. Do I have to use the parchment paper?
Hi Yvonne,
Yes you can cook it without the skewers and parchment paper. However the parchment paper will help with easy clean up.
Looks like a must try recipe. :O)
I think, for my Omni Plus, I'll have to adjust the cooking time downward as, full pieces of boneless chicken takes less time in it.
Hi RossC,
Sounds like a good plan to adjust the recipe time accordingly based on your ai r fryer. Let me know how it goes. Thank you for stopping by. Enjoy!