These irresistible Bang Bang Chicken Skewers combine juicy chicken chunks with a creamy, sweet-and-spicy sauce that’ll make your taste buds dance! After perfecting my chicken piccata recipe, I knew I wanted to create another simple yet flavorful chicken dish. These skewers are incredibly versatile – perfect for everything from casual weeknight dinners to party appetizers. The homemade bang bang sauce is absolutely addictive, with just the right balance of creaminess and heat!
Why You’ll Love These Bang Bang Chicken Skewers
- Ready in just 22 minutes from start to finish
- Perfectly seasoned, tender chicken every time
- Creamy, sweet-spicy bang bang sauce that’s totally customizable
- Works beautifully in both air fryer and oven
- Make-ahead friendly for easy entertaining
- Simple ingredients you probably have on hand
- Family-friendly recipe that’s easily spice-adjustable
The secret to these amazing skewers lies in two parts – first, the perfectly seasoned chicken cubes with paprika, garlic powder, and my special seasoning blend. Then there’s the incredible bang bang sauce, which combines creamy mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, spicy Sriracha, and a touch of honey for balance. The sauce gets brushed on during cooking and again before serving, creating layers of mouthwatering flavor that’ll have everyone reaching for seconds!
What I love most about this recipe is its flexibility. You can dial the heat up or down by adjusting the Sriracha, make them ahead for busy weeknights, and even freeze them for later. Plus, they’re just as delicious whether you’re using wooden skewers (just remember to soak them!) or metal ones in your air fryer.
Ingredients Overview
Hey baking friends! Let’s break down everything you need for these irresistible Bang Bang Chicken Skewers. The magic is in the details, so I’ll walk you through each ingredient’s role in creating this mouthwatering dish!
- Chicken Breasts: The star of our show! I prefer using chicken breasts because they stay juicy while getting those perfect crispy edges. Think of them as little flavor vessels that’ll soak up our amazing sauce. If you’re feeling adventurous like I was when testing teriyaki chicken variations, boneless thighs work beautifully too!
- The Seasoning Blend: We’re keeping it simple but flavorful with:
– Paprika: Adds a subtle sweetness and gorgeous color
– Garlic powder: Because everything’s better with garlic!
– Kosher salt: Brings out all the flavors
– Black pepper: For that perfect punch - Bang Bang Sauce Components:
– Mayonnaise: Creates that creamy, rich base
– Sweet Chili Sauce: The sweet-spicy heart of our sauce
– Sriracha: Gives that perfect kick (adjust to your heat preference!)
– Honey: Balances everything with natural sweetness
Success Tips & Tricks
Just like when making wings in the air fryer, these skewers need some special attention to turn out perfect every time!
- Skewer Selection Matters: Whether using wooden or metal skewers, each has its perks. Wooden ones need a 30-minute soak in water to prevent charring. Metal skewers are reusable but check if they fit your air fryer first!
- Size Consistency is Key: Cut your chicken pieces as uniformly as possible – aim for 1-inch cubes. This ensures everything cooks evenly and nobody gets an undercooked surprise!
- Temperature Tip: Let your chicken sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before cooking. This helps it cook more evenly and keeps the inside juicy while the outside gets that perfect crisp.
- Sauce Success: Don’t skip the double-coating process! Brush once before cooking and again after. This creates that incredible flavor layer that makes these skewers absolutely irresistible.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Let me walk you through making these irresistible Bang Bang Chicken Skewers! I tested this recipe countless times to get it just perfect for you.
Preparing the Chicken
- Cut chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes (try to keep them uniform in size). If you love well-seasoned chicken, check out my homemade chicken seasoning blend.
- Mix paprika, garlic powder, kosher salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
- Toss the chicken cubes with seasonings until evenly coated.
- Thread chicken onto skewers, leaving small gaps between pieces.
Making the Bang Bang Sauce
- Whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and honey until smooth.
- Set aside half for serving, use remaining half for basting.
Cooking Methods
Air Fryer Method (Preferred):
- Preheat air fryer to 375°F.
- Place skewers in basket, avoiding overcrowding.
- Cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Brush with sauce in the final 2 minutes.
Oven Method:
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Place skewers on lined baking sheet.
- Bake 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Brush with sauce, then broil 1-2 minutes until lightly charred.
Recipe Variations
These skewers are perfect alongside my creamy chicken pasta for a complete meal. You might also love them in my cozy chicken soup recipe!
Flavor Twists
- Spicy Version: Double the Sriracha in the sauce and add red pepper flakes to the chicken seasoning.
- Asian-Inspired: Add ginger powder to the seasoning and sesame oil to the sauce.
- Honey Garlic: Increase honey in the sauce and add extra garlic powder.
Serving Suggestions
- Thread vegetables between chicken pieces (bell peppers, onions, zucchini work great)
- Serve over rice with extra sauce
- Make lettuce wraps with shredded carrots and cucumbers
- Pair with a crispy Asian slaw
FAQs & Final Thoughts
Absolutely! While I love using my air fryer, you can bake these in the oven at 400°F for 15-18 minutes. Just remember to flip them halfway through cooking for even browning.
The key to juicy skewers is not overcooking them! Keep the chicken pieces uniform in size and watch them carefully during cooking. They’re done when they reach 165°F internal temperature.
While store-bought sauce works in a pinch, my homemade version takes just minutes to mix up and tastes so much better! Plus, you can adjust the spice level to your liking.
These skewers are so versatile! They’re perfect alongside rice, in wraps, or even chopped up in salads. For a complete meal, try them with my baked chicken tacos for a fun fusion dinner!
Final Thoughts
Oh my goodness, friends – these Bang Bang Chicken Skewers are a total game-changer! The combination of that creamy, sweet-and-spicy sauce with perfectly seasoned chicken is pure magic. Every time I make these, they disappear in minutes! The best part? They’re so simple to customize – make them spicier, milder, or try different dipping sauces.
I’d love to hear how these turn out in your kitchen! Don’t forget to snap a photo if you make them – seeing your creations always makes my day. Remember, whether you’re using an air fryer or oven, the key is not overcooking the chicken. Trust me, once you try these, they’ll become a regular in your dinner rotation!
Bang Bang Chicken Skewers
Equipment (affiliate links)
- 1 wooden skewers soaked in water for 30 minutes
- 1 Large bowl
- 1 Small Bowl
- 1 Air Fryer
- 1 Baking Sheet
- 1 Parchment Paper
- 1 grill
Ingredients
- 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
- 1 1/4 cups mayonnaise (290 g)
- 2/3 cup Thai sweet chili sauce
- 2 teaspoons Sriracha or more to taste
- 2 tablespoons honey
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the cubed chicken breasts, oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Toss to evenly coat the chicken.
- Working one skewer at a time, thread 4-5 chicken cubes onto each.
- In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and honey. Mix well. This will make about 1 3/4 cups bang bang sauce.
- Pour half of the sauce into a separate bowl and set aside to use after the chicken has been cooked. Use the rest of the sauce to brush evenly over the chicken.
- Add the skewers to the basket of your air fryer in a single layer. (Depending on the size of the air fryer, you may have to work in batches.)
- Air fry* at 400°F for 11-12 minutes, flipping halfway. Chicken is fully cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Transfer the skewers to a plate and drizzle or brush with the reserved bang bang sauce. Serve immediately.
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place the seasoned cubes of chicken onto the skewers, then onto the lined baking sheet. (Do not brush the chicken with bang bang sauce until after baking in the oven.)
- Cook the chicken skewers for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Remove from the oven. Brush with the bang bang sauce and serve.
- Thread the seasoned chicken onto the skewers. (Wait until after grilling to brush with the bang bang sauce.) Grill over medium-high heat for 8-10 minutes per side, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Brush the grilled chicken with the bang bang sauce.
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