Spicy Buffalo Ranch Chicken Skewers Recipe for Grilling

This post explains how to make air-fried Buffalo Ranch Chicken Skewers: juicy chicken pieces basted with a buttery buffalo-ranch dry rub as they cook.

Here’s another easy air-fryer skewer recipe: Buffalo Ranch Chicken Skewers. If you enjoyed my recent skewer recipes — Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers and Hot Lemon Pepper Chicken Skewers — you’ll love this one too. Through August I’m sharing new air-fryer skewer recipes each week, including beef and shrimp options.

These skewers are inspired by one of my favorite foods: Anchor Bar chicken wings. Their buttery dry rub and buffalo ranch seasoning are exceptional. While wings are traditionally fried, these skewers capture the same buttery, savory-spicy flavor with the convenience of an air fryer.

If you don’t own an air fryer, you can cook these in the oven or on the grill — see the recipe notes near the bottom for oven and grill instructions.

This recipe shows how to make air-fried Buffalo Ranch Chicken Skewers—tender chicken coated in a buttery, herby, and spicy buffalo-ranch sauce.

What To Serve With These Skewers:

These skewers are versatile and work with many sides. Here are a few serving ideas:

• Over a salad: A salad with ranch dressing and crispy bacon pairs nicely.
• With vegetables and a starch: Classic sides include baked or mashed potatoes, scalloped potatoes, mac and cheese, roasted broccoli or cauliflower, and glazed carrots.
• Over buttery rice: Any leftover buttery sauce is delicious mixed into rice.
• As an appetizer: Great for parties and game days — easy to eat and perfect with dipping sauces like blue cheese or ranch.

Key Ingredients in Buffalo Ranch Chicken

• Chicken tenders — You can use breast or thigh meat, but tenders stay moist.
• Butter — One 8 oz stick of butter for 2 lbs of chicken creates the baste.
• Ranch seasonings — Dried parsley, dried dill, garlic powder, onion powder, plus salt and pepper.
• Buffalo seasonings — A mix of cayenne, chili powder, paprika, cumin, ground mustard, brown sugar, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
• Fresh chives — Adds a bright, herbaceous finish to the buttery sauce.
• Skewers — Use wooden or metal skewers sized for your air fryer.

How to Make Buffalo Ranch Chicken Skewers

Make seasonings & prep chicken — Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes if using wood. Mix the buffalo dry rub in one bowl and the ranch seasoning in another. Cut chicken into roughly 3″ pieces. Toss the pieces with 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning, and 1 tablespoon buffalo dry rub until well coated. Thread the chicken tightly onto skewers so pieces are snug and juicy.

Make the butter mixture — Soften one stick (8 oz) of butter in a bowl until creamy but not fully melted. Stir in 1 1/2 tablespoons buffalo seasoning, 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning, and 2 tablespoons minced fresh chives. Adjust seasonings to taste. Scoop out about one-third of the butter mixture into a separate small bowl to use for basting the raw chicken; reserve the remainder to baste the cooked skewers to avoid cross-contamination.

Cook & baste skewers — Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (204°C). Cook 2–3 skewers at a time for best air circulation. Air fry for 5 minutes, flip, and brush with the reserved uncooked-butter portion; return to air fryer for 2 minutes. Flip again, baste with the reserved cooked butter mixture, and cook another 5–6 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Total cook time is about 12–14 minutes but will vary by air fryer. Finish with a final brush of the buttery buffalo-ranch sauce and a sprinkle of chives. Serve with ranch or blue cheese for dipping.

Tools I Use:

Air-fryer sized wooden or metal skewers

Air fryer

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. Leave a comment with questions or feedback. If you make these, tag @BadBatchBaking on Instagram — I love seeing your recreations!