Buffalo Ranch Chicken Skewers (2024)

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This post is all about how to make air-fried Buffalo Ranch Chicken Skewers; juicy chicken pieces that are basted in the most deletable buttery dry rub seasoning as they cook.

I am back with another easy air-fried skewer recipe and this week’s flavor is Buffalo Ranch Chicken Skewers! If you haven’t seen my recent skewer recipes, they were a crowd favorite – Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers and Hot Lemon Pepper Chicken Skewers. For at least for the month of August I am going to start dropping new air-fried skewer recipes each week. Maybe we call it “Skewer Saturday”? I am going to do some beef and shrimp ones too!

These skewers were created after one of my all time favorite foods – Anchor Bar chicken wings. They have the best buttery dry rub ever and their buffalo ranch dry rub is complete heaven. Of course, it’s even better when the chicken is fried but still so flavorful and buttery on these skewers.

Don’t have an Air Fryer? I have also listed instructions on how to make these in the oven or on the grill. See my notes in my recipe card toward the bottom of the page.

This recipe post is all about how to make air-fried Buffalo Ranch Chicken Skewers, buffalo ranch dry rubbed chicken smothered in an herby-spicy butter sauce.

What To Serve With These Skewers:

All of my air-fried skewer recipes are pretty versatile and my readers have come up with some delicious ways to serve them, ranging from healthier keto-friendly versions all the way to an indulgent comfort meal. Here are some ideas on what you can serve these skewers with:

Serve them over salad. I’d recommend a salad with ranch dressing and maybe some bacon – yum!

Pair with veggies and a starch – probably the most classic way to eat these. Baked potatoes, mashed potatoes, scalloped potatoes, mac and cheese, roasted and seasoned broccoli and cauliflower, glazed carrots, etc. are just some of the sides that would pair well.

Enjoy over buttery rice – if you have any of the butter mixture leftover, it is delicious mixed into rice.

Serve as an appetizer – parties, football game gatherings, etc. buffalo ranch is a crowd favorite flavor that everyone will love. I love skewers for parties because they are easy to eat without silverware. Don’t forget the dipping sauces like blue cheese and ranch.

Key Ingredients in Buffalo Ranch Chicken

Chicken Tenders – you can use breast or thighs but I prefer how moist tenders are.
Butter – one stick of butter is used for 2 lbs of chicken.
Ranch Seasonings – dried parsley, dried dill, garlic powder, onion powder.
Buffalo Seasonings – cayenne, chili powder, paprika, cumin, ground mustard, brown sugar, garlic powder, salt and pepper
Fresh Chives – the chives adds the perfect fresh herbiness to balance the savory spicy butter sauce.
Don’t forget the skewers!

How to Make Buffalo Ranch Chicken Skewers

Make Seasonings & Prep Chicken – Before you start, make sure to soak your wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes. Start by combining your buffalo spice mixture in a small bowl, then your ranch mixture in a separate bowl and set aside. Prep your chicken by cutting in 3″ pieces.

Place them in a bowl or zip top back and toss in olive oil and the spices, coating well on all sides. Pack the chicken onto each skewer, making sure they are tightly packed with no space in between to ensure maximum juiciness. If needed, after they are skewered, snip the top few inches of the skewers to fit in the air fryer.

Make the Butter Mixture –Make butter mixture by slightly melting one stick of butter in a bowl. Add buffalo seasoning and ranch seasonings, mix well, then add chives.

Tools I Use:

Air-Fryer Sized Skewers

Metal Air Fryer Sized Skewers

Teal Galanz Retro Air Fryer

Mint Green Large Capacity Air Fryer

Stainless Steel BPA-Free Air Fryer

Heart Measuring Spoons

Looking For More Easy Recipes?

Hot Lemon Pepper Chicken Skewers

Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers

Easy Chicken Tetrazzini

Fried Chicken Elote Tacos

I hope you enjoy this easy Air Fryer recipe for Buffalo Ranch Chicken Skewers. Be sure to comment below with any questions or feedback! If you make these or any other recipes, don’t forget to tag me on IG @BadBatchBaking to be featured on my story. Seeing your recreations makes my day!

Print Recipe

5 from 1 vote

Buffalo Ranch Chicken Skewers

Juicy, tender chicken smothered in a buttery buffalo ranch dry rub is made easily in an air fryer for a quick meal or appetizer in just 20 minutes!

In this recipe I list instructions for homemade ranch seasoning and the most delicious buffalo dry rub. Of course, you can simplify this by using premade seasonings.

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time14 minutes mins

Ingredients

2 lbs chicken tenders you can use breast or thighs but I prefer how moist tenders are.
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 - 8oz stick butter, salted
2 tablespoon fresh chives, minced

Ranch Seasoning

1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 tablespoon dried dill
1 tablespoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons onion powder
1/2 tps salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

Buffalo Dry Rub Seasoning

1 tablespoon cayenne reduce the quantity for less spice
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon paprika
1 tablespoon ground mustard
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tsp cumin
2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp each; salt and pepper

Instructions

Make Seasonings & Prep Chicken

Before you start, make sure to soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes. Start by combining your buffalo spice mixture in a small bowl, then your ranch mixture in a separate bowl and set aside.
Prep your chicken by cutting in 3" pieces. Place them in a bowl or zip top bag and add olive oil, 1 tablespoon of ranch seasoning and 1 tablespoon buffalo dry rub, coating well on all sides.
Pack the chicken onto each skewer, making sure they are tightly packed with no space in between to ensure maximum juiciness.

Make Butter Mixture

Place 1 stick of butter in a bowl and heat for 15 seconds to soften and slightly melt so it's creamy and spreadable but not melted. Add 1.5 tablespoons buffalo seasoning and 1 tablespoon ranch seasonings, mix well, then add chives.
Taste it and adjust by adding more buffalo or ranch if needed to reach your desired spice level.
Scoop out 1/3 of the sauce into a small bowl and use that for basting the uncooked chicken. Reserve the remaining sauce for basting the cooked chicken so you don't cross contaminate. Be sure to wash the basting brush in between.

Cook & Baste Chicken

Cook 2-3 skewers at a time in an air fryer at 400 degrees for 5 minutes. Remove and flip the skewers and baste with sauce, returning to cook an additional 2 minutes at 400 degrees.
Flip them back, baste with more sauce and cook another 5-6 minutes or until the internal temp reaches 165 degrees. Total cook time is about 12-15 minutes. This timing will vary based on your air fryer.
Once they are finished cooking, hit them with a final pass of the buttery buffalo ranch sauce and sprinkle with some additional chives. I love to dip mine in ranch!

Notes

** You can use premade store bought buffalo dry rub and ranch seasoning instead of making the seasonings from scratch. If the seasonings have high sodium, you may want to substitute the butter for unsalted butter.

Oven Preparation:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Place chicken skewers on a rimmed baking sheet lined with foil and cook for 14 minutes, flipping half way through and basting with butter a few times throughout the baking process.

Switch the oven to broil and cook an additional 2 minutes so get the tops golden brown. Remove from the oven and baste it one last time with the butter sauce and sprinkle with leftover chives.

Grill Preparation:

Preheat your grill to medium-high. Place the prepared skewers over direct heat and cook each side for 5-6 minutes each, basting with butter throughout the cooking process.

Remove from the grill and baste it one last time with the butter sauce and sprinkle with leftover chives.