Bang Bang Chicken Skewers Recipe

If you crave a party-ready snack that packs a delicious punch, look no further than these Bang Bang Chicken Skewers! Each juicy bite is coated in a creamy, spicy-sweet bang bang sauce that will have everyone reaching for seconds, whether you serve them as a weeknight dinner, a game day appetizer, or at your next backyard cookout.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Show-Stopping Flavor: The iconic bang bang sauce brings sweet heat and creamy richness, transforming simple chicken into a total flavor bomb.
  • Super Easy, Fast, and Fun: From prep to plate in just over 20 minutes — you’ll impress family and friends without breaking a sweat.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Appetizer or Main: Serve on a platter for parties, tuck into wraps, or enjoy with fresh sides for a cheerful weeknight meal.
  • Air Fryer, Oven, or Grill: Flexible cooking methods mean you can make Bang Bang Chicken Skewers anytime, anywhere — rain or shine!

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of Bang Bang Chicken Skewers lies in a handful of straightforward ingredients that work together for maximum impact. Each one is selected for its ability to contribute juiciness, bold flavor, and that signature creamy, spicy finish.

  • Wooden skewers: Soak these in water so they don’t burn while the chicken cooks; they make serving a breeze and look great on a platter.
  • Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Cutting into 1-inch cubes ensures fast, uniform cooking and keeps every bite juicy and tender.
  • Extra virgin olive oil: A little drizzle locks in moisture and helps the seasonings adhere to the chicken.
  • Paprika: Adds a lovely smoky warmth and enticing color to the chicken.
  • Garlic powder: Infuses every bite with a savory aroma without overpowering the other flavors.
  • Kosher salt & black pepper: Essential for simple, effective seasoning that lets the sauce shine.
  • Mayonnaise: The backbone of the bang bang sauce, lending creaminess and just enough tang.
  • Thai sweet chili sauce: Brings both sweetness and gentle heat — so you get that crave-worthy taste in each drizzle.
  • Sriracha: Offers customizable kick and bright red color; adjust to your ideal spice level.
  • Honey: Balances and rounds out the sauce with a subtle note of natural sweetness.
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Bang Bang Chicken Skewers are so adaptable — feel free to play around depending on what you have in the fridge, if you’re accommodating allergies, or just want to try something new for the next gathering.

  • Make it dairy-free: Swap out regular mayonnaise for your favorite vegan mayo — the sauce stays just as creamy and delicious.
  • Turn up the heat: Stir more Sriracha (or another hot sauce you love) into the bang bang sauce for an extra-spicy twist.
  • Try chicken thighs or shrimp: Boneless, skinless thighs or even peeled shrimp swap in beautifully and bring their own juiciness to the party.
  • Add veggies: Skewer bell pepper chunks, red onion, or zucchini between the chicken pieces for even more pop and texture.
  • Low-carb switch: Use a sugar-free chili sauce and swap honey for your favorite low-carb sweetener for a keto-friendly version.

How to Make Bang Bang Chicken Skewers

Step 1: Season and Skewer the Chicken

Start by combining your cubed chicken with olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a big bowl. Toss everything together until each piece is evenly coated — you want maximum flavor in every bite! Then, thread 4-5 chicken cubes onto each soaked skewer, gently pressing them together but not packed too tightly so the heat circulates as they cook.

Step 2: Stir Together the Bang Bang Sauce

Now for the magic: whisk together mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and honey in a bowl. This creamy, spicy, sweet sauce is the secret weapon of Bang Bang Chicken Skewers. Once smooth, divide the sauce — half for brushing before cooking, half reserved for drizzling or dipping when serving.

Step 3: Cook the Skewers

Add your assembled skewers to the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure not to crowd them. Brush (or spoon) half of the bang bang sauce generously over the raw chicken. Air fry at 400°F for 11-12 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and cooked through — test with an instant-read thermometer for 165°F to guarantee juicy results. (See recipe notes for grill and oven methods, too!)

Step 4: Sauce, Serve & Savor

Once the Bang Bang Chicken Skewers are cooked perfectly, transfer them to a serving plate. Brush or drizzle generously with the reserved sauce for the ultimate flavor burst. Serve immediately — trust me, they won’t last long!

Pro Tips for Making Bang Bang Chicken Skewers

  • Soak Your Skewers: Give wooden skewers at least 30 minutes in water so they don’t char or catch fire, no matter which cooking method you use.
  • Sauce After, Not Before, for Grill/Oven: For grilling or oven baking, brush on the bang bang sauce only after the chicken cooks — this keeps it bright, creamy, and prevents burning from the sugars.
  • Batch Cooking is Totally Fine: If your air fryer isn’t roomy, work in batches. Keep finished skewers tented under foil to stay moist and warm.
  • Double Up for Dipping: Make extra bang bang sauce to serve on the side — people absolutely love to dip, and it’s also delicious drizzled over salads or rice!

How to Serve Bang Bang Chicken Skewers

Bang Bang Chicken Skewers Recipe - Recipe Image

Garnishes

Top your Bang Bang Chicken Skewers with sliced green onions, a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds, or even a little chopped cilantro for freshness. The garnishes not only add a pop of color, but they also layer in flavor and crunch that perfectly complement that luscious sauce.

Side Dishes

These skewers are dreamy with fluffy jasmine rice or coconut rice, a big crisp salad with crunchy veggies, or even some quick pickled cucumbers. If you want an all-out spread, pair with veggie spring rolls or a light noodle salad — perfect for a feast or party platter.

Creative Ways to Present

For a crowd, arrange Bang Bang Chicken Skewers in a fan or “starburst” on a large platter with sauce drizzled in zigzags or served in little ramekins for dramatic dipping. Or, make skewers “mini” for appetizers, pop them in lettuce cups, or tuck into tortillas with slaw for a totally new twist on taco night.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you end up with leftovers (lucky you!), pop the cooked, cooled Bang Bang Chicken Skewers into an airtight container and refrigerate — they’ll stay tasty for up to 3 days. Store the extra sauce separately in a small jar or container to keep it creamy and fresh for drizzling or dipping later.

Freezing

You can absolutely freeze these skewers! Remove the chicken from the sticks if you prefer, wrap tightly, and freeze for up to a month. Just freeze the sauce separately in a well-sealed container (mayonnaise-based sauces can separate a bit, so stir well after thawing).

Reheating

For best results, reheat Bang Bang Chicken Skewers gently in the oven at 350°F or a toaster oven until warmed through. Air fryer leftovers for a few minutes to bring the exterior back to life! Wait to add the reserved sauce until after reheating for maximum creaminess.

FAQs

  1. Can I make Bang Bang Chicken Skewers in advance for a party?

    Yes! You can marinate and skewer the chicken up to a day ahead — just cover and refrigerate until ready to cook. The sauce can also be mixed in advance, making assembly and serving a breeze when your guests arrive.

  2. Is there a substitute for Thai sweet chili sauce in the bang bang sauce?

    If you can’t find Thai sweet chili sauce, mix together equal parts honey and a mild hot sauce, or use your favorite Asian-inspired chili-garlic sauce with a little extra honey to mimic the sweet-heat balance.

  3. How do I know when the chicken skewers are cooked through?

    The safest way is to use an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest piece — it should register 165°F. If you don’t have a thermometer, check that the juices run clear and the chicken is no longer pink inside.

  4. Can I make Bang Bang Chicken Skewers without an air fryer?

    Definitely! Oven and grill instructions are provided, so you can enjoy these skewers whether you prefer baking, broiling, or getting smoky char on the grill. Every method turns out deliciously juicy chicken and that signature saucy finish.

Final Thoughts

If you want to bring bold, irresistible flavor to your table with minimal fuss, these Bang Bang Chicken Skewers are the perfect recipe to try next. I can’t wait to hear how much your family and friends enjoy every saucy, juicy bite — let me know how you make them your own!

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Bang Bang Chicken Skewers Recipe

Bang Bang Chicken Skewers Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.9 from 118 reviews
  • Author: Harper
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Total Time: 22 minutes
  • Yield: 16 skewers
  • Category: Air Frying
  • Method: Air Frying

Description

These Bang Bang Chicken Skewers are a delicious and spicy twist on traditional chicken skewers. Tender chicken breast cubes are seasoned with a flavorful blend of spices, then air-fried to perfection and coated in a creamy and zesty Bang Bang sauce.


Ingredients

Units Scale

Wooden Skewers:

  • wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes

Chicken:

  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Bang Bang Sauce:

  • 1 1/4 cups (290 g) mayonnaise
  • 2/3 cup Thai sweet chili sauce
  • 2 teaspoons Sriracha, or more to taste
  • 2 tablespoons honey

Instructions

  1. Prepare Chicken: In a large bowl, combine chicken cubes, olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat evenly.
  2. Skewer Chicken: Thread 4-5 chicken cubes onto each soaked skewer.
  3. Make Bang Bang Sauce: Mix mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and honey in a bowl. Set aside half for serving.
  4. Cook in Air Fryer: Brush chicken with sauce, air fry at 400°F for 11-12 minutes, flipping halfway.
  5. Serve: Drizzle reserved sauce over cooked skewers before serving.

Notes

  • Oven and grilling instructions provided for alternative cooking methods.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 skewer
  • Calories: 180
  • Sugar: 6g
  • Sodium: 310mg
  • Fat: 10g
  • Saturated Fat: 2g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 8g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Protein: 15g
  • Cholesterol: 45mg

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