Succulent, spicy, and wonderfully saucy, these Bang Bang Chicken Skewers combine juicy chicken thighs with a creamy, sweet-heat sauce that’s completely irresistible. Whether you’re grilling outdoors, air-frying for an easy dinner, or just craving something with a little kick, this recipe is sure to make you the star of your next meal.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Explosive Bang Bang Flavor: That sweet, spicy, and creamy sauce clings to the chicken in the tastiest way, guaranteeing major flavor in every single bite.
- Perfect for Grilling or Air Frying: Whether you love the char of the grill or the easy convenience of an air fryer, Bang Bang Chicken Skewers adapt beautifully to both methods.
- Crowd-Pleasing and Fun to Eat: These skewers make entertaining easy, whether you’re serving up a party tray or a quick family weeknight meal.
- Customizable Heat: Scale up or down on the Sriracha and hot honey to make them as fiery or as mild as you like—everyone wins!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Bang Bang Chicken Skewers is in how a handful of flavor-packed ingredients come together for something unforgettable. Each element, from the juicy chicken thighs to the bold spices and that famous sauce, brings something essential—don’t skip a thing!
- Chicken thighs: Tender, juicy, and more forgiving than breasts, chicken thighs stay succulent whether grilled or air-fried.
- Extra virgin olive oil: Adds richness and helps the spices coat the chicken evenly for perfect flavor every time.
- Paprika & garlic powder: These spices bring subtle warmth and savory depth to the marinade.
- Black pepper & cayenne pepper: A double punch of spice that’s balanced but bold, with cayenne adding a gentle heat.
- Salt: Essential for seasoning and amplifying all the other flavors in the mix.
- Hot honey: Sweet, sticky, and just a little fiery, hot honey is the chef’s kiss that takes this recipe over the top.
- Mayonnaise: The creamy backbone of your bang bang sauce, it holds everything together and mellows out the heat.
- Lime juice: Fresh lime brings zippy brightness and balances out the richness of the sauce.
- Thai sweet chili sauce: Sweet, tangy, and lightly spicy, it adds authentic bang bang flavor and a lovely glaze.
- Sriracha: Tune the heat up or down as you wish, but don’t skip—this brings the signature kick!
Variations
The magic of these Bang Bang Chicken Skewers is how easily you can tweak them to suit your preferences or the ingredients you have on hand. Don’t be afraid to get creative and make them your own!
- Swap the protein: Try shrimp or tofu for a pescatarian or vegetarian twist—the bang bang sauce works beautifully on both.
- Make it dairy-free: Use your favorite vegan mayo to keep the sauce creamy without any dairy.
- Go low-carb: Replace the sweet chili sauce with a sugar-free alternative to keep things keto-friendly.
- Add a veggie boost: Alternate the chicken with chunks of bell peppers, zucchini, or red onion on each skewer.
How to Make Bang Bang Chicken Skewers
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
In a large bowl, toss the cubed chicken thighs with olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper, salt, and hot honey. Make sure every piece is glistening and well-coated—this is the secret to ensuring every bite pops with flavor and stays juicy once cooked.
Step 2: Skewer the Chicken
Thread the seasoned chicken onto your skewers, filling them about halfway. This not only makes them easy to handle on the grill or in your air fryer, but also allows for even cooking and gorgeous caramelization.
Step 3: Mix Up the Bang Bang Sauce
In a medium bowl, combine the mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and fresh lime juice, stirring until totally smooth. Divide the sauce in half: one half for brushing on the chicken before and during cooking, and the other half stays clean for serving and dipping later.
Step 4: Cook the Skewers
If grilling, preheat to medium-high. Lay the skewers directly on the grill grates, brushing generously with half the sauce. Turn often, and baste with more sauce until the chicken is caramelized and delicious. If using the air fryer, arrange skewers in a single layer and cook at 400°F, flipping halfway until the chicken is cooked through with lovely golden edges.
Step 5: Sauce, Garnish, & Serve
Once the skewers are cooked, transfer them to a platter. Immediately drizzle or brush with the reserved bang bang sauce and a little extra hot honey if you love a sweet kick. Serve piping hot and watch them disappear!
Pro Tips for Making Bang Bang Chicken Skewers
- Marinate for Max Flavor: For even bolder flavor, marinate your chicken in the spice mix and hot honey for up to 2 hours before cooking—you won’t regret it!
- Soak Wooden Skewers: If using wooden skewers on the grill or in the air fryer, give them a good soak in water for 30 minutes first—this helps prevent burning and splintering.
- Sauce in Two Stages: Brush with the sauce both before and during cooking for intense flavor, but always keep a clean portion back for that luscious final brush and dipping.
- Check Doneness: Use an instant-read thermometer—165°F guarantees juicy, safely cooked chicken without guessing.
How to Serve Bang Bang Chicken Skewers
Garnishes
A shower of sliced green onions, a scattering of toasted sesame seeds, or a fresh squeeze of lime really make Bang Bang Chicken Skewers pop—both visually and flavor-wise. Don’t forget an extra drizzle of sauce and hot honey for those who like it saucy!
Side Dishes
Serve alongside fluffy jasmine rice, cooling cucumber salad, or a veggie-packed slaw for contrast and crunch. They’re also fantastic with grilled corn or a pile of crisp lettuce leaves for a lighter option.
Creative Ways to Present
For a party, arrange Bang Bang Chicken Skewers on a platter with lime wedges and mini sauce cups for dipping. Or turn them into skewered sliders with soft buns and fresh greens—it’s a guaranteed hit with kids and adults alike!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Bang Bang Chicken Skewers will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Store any extra sauce separately and add just before serving to keep everything fresh and flavorful.
Freezing
If you need to freeze, do so with the cooked chicken only (not the fresh sauce). Place skewers in a freezer bag or container, and they’ll keep for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge before gently reheating.
Reheating
Reheat your Bang Bang Chicken Skewers under the broiler or in an air fryer at 350°F until just warmed through. Add a fresh brush of sauce after reheating for best results—it brings back all the creamy zing!
FAQs
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Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs for Bang Bang Chicken Skewers?
Yes! Chicken breasts work well, but be sure not to overcook them—they’re a bit leaner and can dry out more quickly than thighs. Cutting them into uniform 1-inch pieces helps keep them juicy.
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How spicy are these Bang Bang Chicken Skewers?
They have a mild to moderate kick thanks to the Sriracha and cayenne, but you’re totally in control. Adjust the amounts of Sriracha and hot honey to make them milder or extra fiery, depending on your preference!
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Can I make Bang Bang Chicken Skewers ahead of time?
Absolutely—marinate and skewer the chicken up to 24 hours in advance and store in the fridge. The sauce can also be mixed ahead, but for best results, cook and serve hot and fresh for that signature sauciness.
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What’s the best way to keep skewers from sticking to the grill or air fryer?
Lightly oil the grill grates or air fryer basket before adding the skewers. This ensures you get that beautiful caramelized exterior without any sticking issues.
Final Thoughts
These Bang Bang Chicken Skewers are one of those recipes that always impress—fun to make, dynamic in flavor, and genuinely hard to resist. If you’re looking to bring a pop of excitement to your dinner or your next gathering, give these a try. I can’t wait to hear how you love them!
Print
Bang Bang Chicken Skewers Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer, Main Course
- Method: Grilling, Air Frying
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These Bang Bang Chicken Skewers are the perfect combination of spicy, sweet, and savory flavors. Tender chicken thighs are marinated in a flavorful blend of spices, then grilled or air-fried to perfection and served with a creamy and zesty bang bang sauce.
Ingredients
Chicken Skewers:
- 1 1/2–2 lbs chicken thighs, cubed into 1 inch pieces
- 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 Tbsp hot honey
Bang Bang Sauce:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 Tbsp lime juice, fresh squeezed
- 2/3 cup Thai sweet chili sauce
- 1/4 cup Sriracha
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: In a large bowl, combine the cubed chicken thighs, oil, and seasonings. Toss to coat the chicken well.
- Skewer the Chicken: Thread the seasoned chicken onto skewers. Brush with sauce and grill or air fry until fully cooked.
- Make the Bang Bang Sauce: Mix mayonnaise, lime juice, Thai sweet chili sauce, and Sriracha. Reserve half for serving.
- Grill: Grill skewers, brushing with sauce, until caramelized and cooked through.
- Air Fry: Air fry skewers until cooked, then drizzle with reserved sauce and hot honey.
Notes
- You can adjust the amount of Sriracha in the sauce to control the spice level.
- Feel free to customize the hot honey amount based on your preference for sweetness and heat.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 skewer
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
