These ranch garlic parmesan chicken skewers happened when I was stuck trying to feed fifteen people at Max's birthday party without making something too fancy or too boring. Regular grilled chicken seemed plain, but I didn't want to spend all day in the kitchen either. Mixing ranch seasoning with garlic and parmesan turned out to solve both problems.The ranch flavor makes kids happy because it tastes familiar, while the garlic and parmesan keep adults interested.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
These ranch garlic parmesan chicken skewers solve a lot of dinner problems at once. Kids like them because they taste like ranch dressing, which most kids already love. Adults like them because the garlic and parmesan make them feel less like kid food. The skewer part makes them easy to serve and eat, especially when you're feeding a crowd or having a party.
The prep work doesn't require any special skills - just cut chicken into chunks, toss with seasonings, and put them on skewers. You can do all of this earlier in the day and keep them in the fridge until dinner time. The cooking goes really fast, maybe ten minutes total, so you're not stuck at the grill while everyone else is hanging out.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients for Ranch Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers
- How To Make Ranch Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers Step By Step
- Smart Swaps for Ranch Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers
- Creative Twists on Ranch Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers
- Equipment For Ranch Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers
- Storing Your Ranch Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers
- Raw Skewers:
- What to Serve With Ranch Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers
- Top Tip
- The Dish My Grandmother Taught Me to Love
- FAQ
- Time for Grilling Success!
- Related
- Pairing
- Ranch Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers
Ingredients for Ranch Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers
The Chicken:
- Boneless chicken breasts or thighs
- Wooden skewers
The Flavor Mix:
- Ranch seasoning packet
- Garlic powder
- Grated parmesan cheese
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
Optional Extras:
- Fresh herbs like parsley
- Red pepper flakes
- Lemon juice
- Extra parmesan for sprinkling
Basic Tools:
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Large bowl for mixing
- Grill or oven
See recipe card for quantities.
How To Make Ranch Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers Step By Step
Prep the Chicken:
- Cut chicken into bite-sized chunks
- Pat dry with paper towels
- Season with salt and pepper
Make the Coating:
- Mix ranch seasoning with garlic powder in a large bowl
- Add grated parmesan cheese
- Drizzle in olive oil
- Toss chicken pieces until everything is coated
Skewer Time:
- Thread chicken onto soaked wooden skewers
- Leave small spaces between pieces
- Don't pack them too tightly
- You should get about 4-5 pieces per skewer
Cook Them:
- Grill over medium heat for 8-10 minutes
- Turn once halfway through
- Check that internal temp reaches 165°F
- Let rest for 2-3 minutes before serving
Smart Swaps for Ranch Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers
Chicken Options:
- Chicken thighs → Chicken breasts (more flavor, stays juicier)
- Boneless → Bone-in pieces (takes longer to cook)
- Regular → Organic or free-range
Seasoning Changes:
- Ranch packet → Homemade ranch mix
- Garlic powder → Fresh minced garlic
- Parmesan → Romano or asiago cheese
- Regular salt → Garlic salt
Cooking Methods:
- Grill → Oven at 425°F for 15-20 minutes
- Wooden skewers → Metal skewers
- Outdoor grill → Indoor grill pan
Dietary Swaps:
- Regular ranch → Dairy-free ranch seasoning
- Parmesan → Nutritional yeast
- Olive oil → Avocado oil
Creative Twists on Ranch Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers
Spicy Ranch:
- Add cayenne pepper to the ranch mix
- Use pepper jack cheese instead of parmesan
- Sprinkle with red pepper flakes
- Serve with cooling ranch dip
Italian Style:
- Replace ranch with Italian seasoning
- Add dried basil and oregano
- Use extra parmesan
- Finish with fresh parsley
Buffalo Ranch:
- Mix buffalo sauce into the coating
- Keep the ranch and parmesan
- Add celery salt
- Serve with blue cheese dip
Bacon Ranch:
- Crumble cooked bacon into the mix
- Double the ranch seasoning
- Add smoked paprika
- Use sharp cheddar instead of parmesan
Equipment For Ranch Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers
- Sharp knife for cutting chicken
- Large mixing bowl
- Wooden or metal skewers
- Grill or oven
- Tongs for turning
Storing Your Ranch Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers
Raw Skewers:
- Assemble and keep in fridge up to 24 hours
- Cover with plastic wrap
- Bring to room temperature before cooking
- Don't leave out longer than 2 hours
Cooked Leftovers:
- Cool completely before storing
- Keep in fridge for 3-4 days
- Remove from skewers for easier storage
- Reheat gently to avoid drying out
Reheating Tips:
- Oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes works best
- Microwave makes them rubbery
- Add a splash of water and cover
- Don't expect them to be as good as fresh
Freezing:
- Raw skewers freeze well for up to 3 months
- Cooked ones get dry and tough when frozen
- Thaw overnight in fridge before cooking
What to Serve With Ranch Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers
After making these skewers for countless barbecues and family dinners, I've found that the best sides either complement the rich, cheesy flavors or provide a nice contrast to cut through all that richness. Simple starches like grilled corn on the cob, rice pilaf, or roasted baby potatoes work really well because they soak up any extra seasoning that falls off the skewers. Fresh vegetables are important too - a simple green salad with vinaigrette, grilled zucchini, or cucumber tomato salad helps balance out the heavy ranch garlic parmesan chicken skewers and parmesan coating.
For parties, I like to include cooling sides like coleslaw or watermelon and feta salad because they provide a refreshing break from the intense flavors of the chicken. Max always requests mac and cheese when we make these skewers, which sounds like overkill but actually works because kids love doubling down on their favorite flavors. The key is not overthinking it - since the skewers are already packed with flavor, your sides can be pretty simple. Even something as basic as dinner rolls and steamed broccoli makes a complete meal that everyone will enjoy.
Top Tip
- My neighbor across the street has been making these ranch garlic parmesan chicken skewers garlic parmesan chicken skewers for her family barbecues for about three years, and every time I asked her about the recipe, she'd just say it was "nothing special" and change the subject. The smell would drift over to our yard and drive us all crazy, especially Max, who kept asking why our grilled chicken never smelled that good.
- One afternoon when she was grilling and I was weeding the garden, I finally got brave enough to ask her directly what made them so flavorful. She laughed and admitted she'd been embarrassed to share because she thought people would judge her for using a seasoning packet instead of making everything from scratch. Turns out, the "secret" was just mixing ranch garlic parmesan chicken skewers seasoning with parmesan cheese and garlic powder before coating the chicken.
- When I tried it at home that weekend, Max immediately declared it better than any restaurant chicken he'd ever had. My neighbor was surprised when I told her how much we loved it - she thought she was cheating by not making her own ranch garlic parmesan chicken skewers seasoning from herbs and spices. Sometimes the simplest combinations create the best flavors, and there's nothing wrong with using shortcuts that actually work.
The Dish My Grandmother Taught Me to Love
My grandmother never called them ranch garlic parmesan chicken skewers - to her, they were just "the chicken on sticks that makes everyone happy." She started making them in the early 1980s when ranch garlic parmesan chicken skewers dressing first became popular, but her version was much simpler than what we make now. She'd just toss chicken chunks with whatever seasoning she had on hand, thread them on metal skewers, and grill them over charcoal while we kids played in the backyard.
What made her version special wasn't any fancy technique or secret ingredient - it was how she always made them when the whole family came together. Summer birthdays, Fourth of July, random Sunday afternoons when cousins showed up unannounced - these skewers appeared whenever she wanted to feed a crowd without much fuss. She taught me that good food doesn't have to be complicated, it just needs to bring people to the table.
FAQ
What is the secret to good chicken parmesan?
The secret to good chicken parmesan is getting a crispy coating that sticks to the chicken. Use a three-step process: flour, egg wash, then breadcrumbs mixed with parmesan. Make sure your oil is hot enough and don't overcrowd the pan. Let the chicken rest after cooking so the juices redistribute.
Is ranch good with garlic parmesan wings?
Ranch pairs really well with garlic parmesan wings because the cool, creamy ranch balances the salty, nutty flavors of the cheese and garlic. The ranch also helps cool down any heat if you've added spices. It's become a popular combination at restaurants and sports bars for good reason.
How to make tasty chicken skewers?
Cut chicken into even-sized pieces so they cook uniformly. Marinate or season the chicken for at least 30 minutes before cooking. Don't pack the pieces too tightly on the skewers - leave space for even cooking. Cook over medium heat and resist moving them around too much until ready to flip.
Does cheese or sauce go first on chicken parm?
For traditional chicken parmesan, the cheese goes directly on the fried chicken cutlet first, then the sauce goes on top. This prevents the cheese from sliding off and helps it melt properly. Some people prefer sauce first, but cheese-first is the clas.sic method that most restaurants use
Time for Grilling Success!
Now you know how to make ranch garlic parmesan chicken skewers from start to finish, including the story of how my neighbor finally shared her "secret" recipe. These skewers prove that sometimes the best dishes come from simple combinations that just work together perfectly.
Want more grilling favorites? Try our Easy Hamburger Patty Recipe that uses similar seasoning techniques. For more skewer ideas, our The Best Nashville Hot Mozzarella Sticks Recipe brings different flavors to the same easy cooking method. Planning a full barbecue? Our The Best Tomato Gnocchi Recipe rounds out any outdoor meal perfectly.
Share your skewer success! We love seeing your grill marks and creative variations!
Rate this recipe and tell us how they turned out!
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Pairing
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Ranch Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Cut chicken into bite-sized chunks and season lightly with salt and pepper
- Combine ranch seasoning, garlic powder, parmesan cheese, and olive oil well
- Toss all chicken pieces evenly until fully coated with the flavorful mixture
- Thread seasoned chicken onto soaked skewers leaving small gaps for even cooking
- Cook skewers over medium heat until golden and internal temperature reaches 165°F
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