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A close-up of grilled Chicken Caprese Skewers with tomatoes and mozzarella, drizzled with pesto and balsamic glaze.

Air-Fried Chicken Caprese Kebabs with Balsamic Glaze

Juicy marinated chicken, sweet cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and aromatic basil are skewered and air-fried to perfection, then drizzled with a tangy-sweet balsamic glaze. A delightful, vibrant meal that's easy to prepare.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian-Inspired, Mediterranean
Calories: 380

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken Marinade
  • 1.5 lbs chicken breast boneless, skinless, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 2 tbsp olive oil extra virgin
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper freshly ground
For the Kebabs
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes
  • 8 oz fresh mozzarella balls small (bocconcini or ciliegine), drained
  • 1 bunch fresh basil leaves large, whole
  • 8-10 wooden skewers 6-inch, pre-soaked in water for 30 minutes (or metal skewers)
For the Balsamic Glaze
  • 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup

Equipment

  • Air Fryer
  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Small saucepan
  • Skewers (8-10, wooden or metal)

Method
 

Prepare the Chicken Marinade
  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cubed chicken breast with olive oil, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Toss well to ensure all chicken pieces are coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours, to marinate. While chicken marinates, soak wooden skewers if using.
Assemble the Kebabs
  1. Thread the marinated chicken, cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella balls, and basil leaves onto the pre-soaked skewers in an alternating pattern. For example: tomato, chicken, mozzarella, basil, chicken, tomato, basil, mozzarella, chicken. Aim for 3-4 chicken pieces per skewer. Repeat until all ingredients are used, typically yielding 8-10 kebabs.
Prepare the Balsamic Glaze
  1. In a small saucepan, combine balsamic vinegar and honey (or maple syrup). Bring to a simmer over medium heat, then reduce heat to low and cook for 8-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the glaze thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. It will thicken further as it cools. Remove from heat and set aside.
Air Fry the Kebabs
  1. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 5 minutes.
  2. Arrange the kebabs in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't overlap (you may need to cook in batches). Air fry for 12-15 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F / 74°C) and slightly browned.
Serve
  1. Carefully remove the hot kebabs from the air fryer. Drizzle generously with the prepared balsamic glaze. Serve immediately as a delicious main course.

Notes

If using metal skewers, no need to soak. For grilling, preheat grill to medium-high heat. Grill kebabs for 10-14 minutes, turning every few minutes, until chicken is cooked through and has nice char marks. You can add other vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini to the skewers for extra flavor and color. Leftover glaze can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.