Description
Bang Bang Chicken Skewers are succulent, juicy chicken thigh pieces marinated with spices, grilled or air fried to perfection and coated with a creamy, spicy, and tangy bang bang sauce made from mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and fresh lime juice. Perfect as a flavorful appetizer or main dish, these skewers offer a delightful balance of sweet heat and savory goodness with an easy-to-follow recipe ideal for grilling or air frying.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 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 (optional for extra sweet heat)
Bang Bang Sauce
- 1 cup mayonnaise (more as needed)
- 2 Tbsp lime juice, fresh squeezed
- 2/3 cup Thai sweet chili sauce
- 1/4 cup Sriracha (adjust to heat preference)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: In a large bowl, combine the cubed chicken thighs, olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and salt. Toss well to ensure the chicken is evenly coated with all the seasonings.
- Thread the Chicken onto Skewers: Working one skewer at a time, thread the seasoned chicken pieces onto the skewers until about half to three-quarters full. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water beforehand to prevent burning during cooking.
- Make the Bang Bang Sauce: In a medium bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and fresh lime juice thoroughly to create a creamy and spicy sauce. This yields approximately 1.5 cups of sauce.
- Prepare Sauce for Cooking and Serving: Pour half of the bang bang sauce into a separate bowl and set aside for glazing and serving after cooking. Use the remaining half to brush evenly over the chicken skewers, making sure to coat well including the spaces between the pieces.
- Cooking on the Grill: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Place the chicken skewers on the grill and cook for 15-20 minutes, turning often to cook evenly and prevent burning. Continue brushing the skewers with the reserved sauce as they cook until the chicken is caramelized and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Cooking in the Air Fryer: Arrange the skewers in a single layer inside the air fryer basket (cook in batches if necessary). Air fry at 400°F for 10-12 minutes, flipping the skewers halfway through cooking. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Serve the Skewers: Once cooked, transfer the skewers to a plate, then drizzle or brush with the reserved bang bang sauce and an optional drizzle of hot honey for added sweetness and glaze. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts can be used instead of thighs if preferred.
- Hot honey adds a sweet and spicy kick, but regular honey works well too or can be omitted if desired.
- For a milder version, omit cayenne pepper, hot honey, and reduce the amount of Sriracha.
- Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes before using to prevent them from burning during cooking.
- To reheat, place skewers in an air fryer at 350°F for 3 minutes or until warmed through. Microwave reheating is possible but may toughen the chicken.
- Store leftover skewers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup of chicken
- Calories: 586 kcal
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 1051 mg
- Fat: 49 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 37 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 0.4 g
- Protein: 19 g
- Cholesterol: 127 mg
