Casual Chicken and Green Bean Skewers

Name: Casual Chicken and Green Bean Skewers
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 27 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Thai
Ingredients: 1½ lbs (680 g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1¼-inch (3 cm) cubes; 10 oz (280 g) fresh green beans, trimmed, left whole; 4 cloves (20 g) garlic cloves, minced; 3 tbsp (45 ml) soy sauce; 1 tbsp (15 ml) sesame oil; 1 tbsp (15 ml) rice vinegar; 1 tsp (5 g) brown sugar; ½ tsp (3 g) fresh ginger, minced or grated (optional); to taste freshly ground black pepper; 2 stalks (20 g) scallions (green onions), thinly sliced, for garnish (optional)

From the MyKitchenBank Kitchen

Tender air-fried chicken thighs and fresh green beans on skewers, coated in a savory garlic-soy glaze with a whisper of sesame oil. These quick-cooking skewers are perfect for weeknight dinners or casual entertaining—juicy, flavorful, and on the table in under 30 minutes.

Prep: 15 min
Cook: 12 min
Wait: 5 min
Total: 32 min
Makes: 4 skewers (2 per person)

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Steps

Before you start

Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes (or use metal skewers)
Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to help them brown
Trim the green beans and have all ingredients prepped before you start threading

1
Mix the marinade
- In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, brown sugar, minced garlic, and ginger (if using).
- This will season your chicken and beans evenly.
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Ready when: marinade is well combined and sugar is dissolved
Tip: Mix the marinade before prepping the chicken so it's ready when you need it
2
Season and coat the chicken
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels.
- Transfer them to a medium bowl and season with a pinch of black pepper.
- Pour half the marinade over the chicken, toss gently to coat evenly, and let sit for 2 minutes while you assemble the skewers.
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Ready when: chicken is evenly coated and glistens
Tip: Dry chicken is crucial—it helps the exterior brown in the air fryer instead of steaming
3
Thread the skewers
- Thread the chicken cubes and green beans alternately onto 8 soaked wooden (or metal) skewers, starting and ending with a piece of chicken.
- Aim for 2–3 chicken pieces and 3–4 green beans per skewer.
- Don't pack them too tightly; leave a tiny gap between pieces so hot air can circulate.
- Brush any remaining marinade from the bowl onto the assembled skewers.
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Ready when: all skewers are evenly loaded and coated with marinade
Tip: If using wooden skewers and they still feel dry, dip them in water again before threading to prevent charring
4
Preheat the air fryerOven 400°F / 205°C
- Set the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and run it for 3 minutes to preheat.
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Ready when: air fryer beeps or reaches temperature indicator
Tip: Don't skip preheating—it ensures even cooking and better browning
5
Air fry the skewersOven 400°F / 205°C
- Arrange the skewers in a single layer in the air fryer basket, spacing them so they don't touch.
- Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 12 minutes, shaking the basket or flipping the skewers halfway through (at the 6-minute mark) to ensure even cooking on all sides.
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Ready when: chicken is golden and cooked through (no pink), green beans are tender-crisp with some charring
Tip: If your skewers are crowded, cook in batches to avoid steaming; they'll brown better
6
Rest and serve
- Remove the skewers from the air fryer and let them rest for 2 minutes on a clean cutting board or plate.
- This allows the juices in the chicken to redistribute.
- Sprinkle with sliced scallions if desired and serve immediately while still warm.
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Ready when: skewers are cool enough to handle
Tip: Resting for just 2 minutes makes the chicken more tender; don't skip it

Good to know

Tips

Air fryer models vary in size and heat intensity. If your skewers aren't browning much by the 6-minute mark, increase the temp by 10°F (5°C) and continue cooking.
Soak wooden skewers thoroughly so they don't burn. Metal skewers are reusable and heat up, cooking the interior faster—reduce air-fry time by 1–2 minutes if using metal.
For a flavor boost, reserve 1 tablespoon of the raw marinade and drizzle it over the rested skewers just before serving.
These skewers pair beautifully with steamed rice, noodles, or a crisp cucumber salad.

Make ahead

Assemble and thread the skewers up to 4 hours ahead, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate. The marinade will deepen the flavor. Cook straight from the fridge, adding 1–2 minutes to the air-fry time.

Storage & reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350°F (175°C) air fryer for 4–5 minutes until warmed through, or microwave for 60–90 seconds. Do not freeze (the green beans become mushy when thawed).

Substitutions

boneless, skinless chicken thighs → boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Use the same weight but reduce air-fry time to 10 minutes (breasts are leaner and cook faster). Check that internal temp reaches 165°F. They may be slightly less juicy.
fresh green beans → bell peppers or zucchini. Cut into 1-inch (2.5 cm) pieces. Peppers stay firmer; zucchini softens faster. Both work beautifully with the same cooking time.
sesame oil → neutral oil (vegetable or canola). You'll lose the aromatic sesame flavor, but the skewers will still taste good. Use the same amount.
soy sauce → tamari or low-sodium soy sauce. Tamari is gluten-free; low-sodium lets you control saltiness. Use equal amounts.