Bang Bang Chicken Skewers Recipe

Meet your new favorite party showstopper: Bang Bang Chicken Skewers. These juicy chicken bites are coated in a luscious, sweet-and-spicy bang bang sauce that will have your taste buds dancing with every bite. Whether you’re hosting a summer barbecue, looking for a quick weeknight dinner, or simply love bold, crave-worthy flavors, this recipe brings the heat, the tang, and that signature creamy finish you’ll crave again and again!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Big Flavor, Minimal Effort: With just a handful of pantry ingredients, you get irresistible sweet, spicy, and tangy chicken that tastes like it’s from your favorite restaurant!
  • Crowd-Pleasing Presentation: Skewers make dinner interactive and fun—perfect for family-style meals, parties, or game day snacking.
  • Endlessly Customizable: The bang bang sauce works with different proteins, spice levels, and cooking methods—make it your own!
  • Quick & Air Fryer Friendly: This isn’t one of those “set aside 2 hours” sort of recipes—it’s on the table in under 30 minutes, start to finish.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The secret to unforgettable Bang Bang Chicken Skewers is simplicity! These ingredients come together to create that signature crave-worthy crunch and creamy kick. Every component matters, from juicy chicken to the last drop of bold homemade sauce.

  • Wooden skewers, soaked in water: Pre-soaking prevents them from burning during cooking, whether you’re grilling, air frying, or baking.
  • Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: They cook up juicy and tender, expertly absorbing all the delicious seasoning and sauce.
  • Extra virgin olive oil: Provides moisture, helps the spices cling, and encourages gorgeous browning.
  • Paprika: Adds gentle smoky undertones and vibrant color to the chicken.
  • Garlic powder: For savory depth and irresistible aroma in every bite.
  • Kosher salt & black pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance all the other flavors.
  • Mayonnaise: The creamy base for that dreamy Bang Bang sauce, lending body and tang.
  • Thai sweet chili sauce: Brings in sweetness and a subtle heat that defines the sauce—don’t skip this one!
  • Sriracha: For customizable spice and a little garlicky punch—add more for extra heat, or less for mild.
  • Honey: Balances the spice with a silky sweetness and gives the sauce an irresistible gloss.
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

Want to put your own spin on Bang Bang Chicken Skewers? This recipe is super flexible, so feel free to get creative! It’s easy to customize for dietary needs, ingredient swaps, or flavor preferences—make it perfect for you and your crew.

  • Shrimp Bang Bang Skewers: Swap chicken for peeled shrimp, marinate briefly, then thread and cook as directed—just adjust the time as shrimp cooks even faster!
  • Spicy Peanut Bang Bang: Stir a tablespoon of creamy peanut butter into the sauce for a nutty twist that’s rich and satisfying.
  • Vegetarian Version: Use cubes of extra-firm tofu or cauliflower florets instead of chicken for a plant-based showstopper.
  • Grill, Oven, or Stovetop: No air fryer? No problem—grill them outside, bake them in the oven, or even sear them in a cast iron skillet.

How to Make Bang Bang Chicken Skewers

Step 1: Soak Your Skewers

Start by soaking the wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes. This step is key: it prevents your skewers from scorching or burning while the chicken cooks, whether you’re using an air fryer, grill, or oven.

Step 2: Season and Skewer the Chicken

Toss your cubed chicken breast with olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper in a big mixing bowl. Give everything a good mix so each piece is glossy and seasoned all over. Thread 4-5 pieces onto each skewer and set aside—it’s already starting to look mouthwatering!

Step 3: Stir Up That Bang Bang Sauce

In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayo, Thai sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and honey. Taste and add more Sriracha if you love it spicier—this sauce is the soul of Bang Bang Chicken Skewers. Divide the sauce in half: one part for brushing on the raw chicken, the other to reserve for serving.

Step 4: Brush, Cook, and Flip

Generously brush the skewers with half of the bang bang sauce. Arrange them in a single layer in your air fryer basket (work in batches if needed). Air fry at 400°F for 11–12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until your chicken hits an internal temp of 165°F and looks deliciously caramelized.

Step 5: Finish and Serve

Transfer your golden bang bang skewers to a platter and slather, drizzle, or brush with the reserved sauce. You’ll want every inch saucy and irresistible! Serve immediately and watch them disappear.

Pro Tips for Making Bang Bang Chicken Skewers

  • Sauce Separation: Always keep half your bang bang sauce reserved for serving—brushing raw chicken with contaminated sauce can be risky, and you want a clean, creamy drizzle for the final touch!
  • Cube Size Matters: Cut your chicken into even, 1-inch pieces so they cook through at the same rate and come out perfectly juicy.
  • Batch Cooking in the Air Fryer: Don’t crowd the basket. Give each skewer enough space for air to circulate, which ensures that gorgeous caramelization all around.
  • Kick Up the Heat: Taste your sauce as you go! Sriracha levels are totally personal, so feel free to add an extra squirt if you live for spicy.

How to Serve Bang Bang Chicken Skewers

Bang Bang Chicken Skewers Recipe - Recipe Image

Garnishes

For that wow-factor, sprinkle your Bang Bang Chicken Skewers with a shower of sliced green onions, toasted sesame seeds, and a little extra chopped cilantro. If you like heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes on top adds both color and kick!

Side Dishes

These skewers are fantastic with fluffy jasmine rice, a crisp slaw (think cabbage and carrots in a rice vinegar dressing), or some simple steamed veggies. For a casual party tray, pair them with crunchy cucumber slices, carrot sticks, and plenty of extra bang bang sauce for dipping.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve Bang Bang Chicken Skewers upright in a mason jar or glass for easy grabbing at parties, pile them onto a big platter for family dinners, or tuck them into lettuce leaves for a fresh appetizer twist. Try making a DIY skewer bar with a mix of proteins and toppings so everyone can build their favorite flavor combos!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover bang bang chicken skewers keep beautifully! Just pop any extras (off the skewers, if desired) into an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The sauce will thicken a little in the fridge, making leftovers even more flavorful.

Freezing

You can also freeze the cooked, unsauced chicken skewers: let them cool, then store tightly wrapped or in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Freeze the sauce separately for best texture when reheating.

Reheating

For best results, reheat bang bang chicken skewers in a preheated oven or air fryer at 350°F until warmed through, about 5–8 minutes. Add a fresh drizzle of bang bang sauce just before serving if you’ve reserved some in the fridge!

FAQs

  1. Can I make Bang Bang Chicken Skewers in the oven or on the grill?

    Absolutely! If you don’t have an air fryer, you can bake the skewers in a 400°F oven for 20–25 minutes or grill them over medium-high heat for about 8–10 minutes per side. Just be sure to brush on the bang bang sauce after grilling or baking for the best flavor.

  2. Is there a healthier or lighter version of bang bang sauce?

    Absolutely! Try using light mayonnaise or Greek yogurt for the base, swap in agave for honey, and adjust the chili sauce and Sriracha to your desired sweetness and heat. It’s still creamy, zesty, and delicious!

  3. Can I prepare bang bang chicken skewers ahead of time for a party?

    Definitely. You can thread and season the chicken the day before, then cover and chill until ready to cook. The bang bang sauce can also be made in advance—just give it a stir before serving. Wait to brush the sauce on until after the chicken is cooked for the freshest taste.

  4. What other meats can I use if I don’t have chicken?

    This recipe is fantastic with shrimp, pork tenderloin cubes, or even beef sirloin. Adjust your cook times accordingly (shrimp cooks fastest, beef may take a bit longer), and enjoy the same Bang Bang magic!

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been craving big flavor and easy prep, it’s time to try Bang Bang Chicken Skewers. They’re a total crowd-pleaser with their creamy-sweet-spicy sauce and irresistible texture. Honestly, you’ll want to make a double batch—everyone’s going to ask for seconds!

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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 92 reviews
  • Author: Lauren
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Total Time: 22 minutes
  • Yield: 16 skewers 1x
  • Category: Air Frying
  • Method: Air Frying

Description

These Bang Bang Chicken Skewers are juicy, flavorful, and perfect for any gathering. Marinated in a delicious blend of spices, air-fried to perfection, and coated with a creamy bang bang sauce, they are sure to be a hit!


Ingredients

Units Scale

For the Chicken:

  • wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes
  • 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

For the 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. Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl, combine the cubed chicken breasts, oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Toss to evenly coat the chicken.
  2. Skewer the Chicken: Thread 4-5 chicken cubes onto each soaked skewer.
  3. Prepare the Bang Bang Sauce: Mix mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and honey in a bowl.
  4. Cook in Air Fryer: Air fry the skewers at 400°F for 11-12 minutes, flipping halfway.
  5. Finish and Serve: Drizzle the cooked skewers with reserved bang bang sauce and serve.

Notes

  • For oven, preheat to 400°F and bake for 20-25 minutes.
  • For grilling, grill over medium-high heat for 8-10 minutes per side.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 skewer
  • Calories: 253 kcal

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