I’ll never forget the first time I made these Bang Bang Chicken Skewers—it was one of those “why haven’t I been making this weekly?!” moments. As someone who loves bold flavors but hates complicated recipes, this dish quickly became my secret weapon for impressing guests and satisfying my own cravings.

What makes these skewers special? Imagine tender chicken with that perfect char, smothered in a creamy, sweet-and-spicy Bang Bang sauce that literally makes people lick their fingers. The best part? You can make them in the air fryer (my personal favorite for quick, crispy results), oven, or even on the grill for summer cookouts.

If you’re as obsessed with bold chicken recipes as I am, you’ll love our Bang Bang Chicken and these irresistible Chicken Kabobs too!

My Perfect Bang Bang Chicken Skewers Ingredients

Choosing the Right Chicken

After testing both, here’s what I’ve found:

Chicken breasts give that classic lean bite (my weekday go-to)
Thighs stay juicier (perfect for grilling)
Pro tip from my kitchen: Freeze the chicken for 15 minutes before cubing—it makes cutting so much easier!

The Spice Blend That Makes All the Difference

My secret weapon blend:

Smoked paprika (adds depth)
Garlic powder (because everything’s better with garlic)
Onion powder (my unexpected flavor booster)
Salt & pepper (the essentials)

The Famous Bang Bang Sauce

After tweaking this sauce a dozen times, here’s my perfect ratio:

½ cup mayo (I’ve used both regular and Kewpie—both work!)
¼ cup Thai sweet chili sauce (the brand matters—Mae Ploy is my favorite)
1 tbsp sriracha (adjust up to 2 tbsp if you’re heat-loving like me)
1 tsp honey (just enough to balance without being too sweet)

Fun story: The first time I made this, I accidentally doubled the sriracha—let’s just say my husband still teases me about “fire-breathing chicken night!”

My Tried-and-True Preparation Method

Skewer Wisdom from Trial and Error

Wooden skewers: I always keep these on hand. Make sure to soak them for at least 30 minutes, i found out the hard way when half my skewers burned to a crisp.
Metal skewers: Great for frequent use, but check they fit in your air fryer. Mine are slightly too long, so I use wooden for air frying.

Make-Ahead Tricks That Save My Weeknights

Pre-skewered chicken keeps well in the fridge for 2 days (great for meal prep)
Frozen raw skewers are my emergency dinner solution—just add 2-3 extra minutes cooking time
Sauce stores beautifully—I always double it and keep some in a squeeze bottle

How I Make Bang Bang Chicken Skewers (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Seasoning the Chicken

I toss the cubes with 1 tbsp avocado oil (higher smoke point!) and my spice mix in a bowl, then let it marinate while prepping everything else.

Step 2: Skewering Like a Pro

After many messy attempts, I’ve found:

4-5 pieces per skewer is ideal
Leave small gaps between pieces for even cooking
Alternate direction (like a zigzag) helps them cook evenly

Step 3: Sauce Magic

I whisk the sauce ingredients in my favorite little mixing bowl (the one with the spout—game changer for drizzling!). Always reserve half for serving—the flavor intensifies when brushed on during cooking.

Step 4: Air Frying to Perfection

My air fryer routine:

400°F for 6 minutes
Flip, brush with more sauce
Another 5-6 minutes until beautifully caramelized

Pro tip: For extra crispiness, I sometimes finish under the broiler for 60 seconds!

Alternative Cooking Methods I’ve Tested

Oven-Baked Version (When I’m Making Bulk)

400°F on a wire rack (prevents steaming)
20 minutes total, flipping halfway
Sauce goes on after baking to prevent burning

Grilled Perfection (Summer Favorite!)

Medium-high heat (about 450°F)
4-5 minutes per side
Sauce brushed on during last 2 minutes

Perfect pairing: These skewers with our BBQ Chicken Sweet Potato Bowl make an amazing cookout spread!

My Storage & Reheating Secrets

After making these weekly for months, here’s what works:

Fridge storage: Remove from skewers and store in airtight container (3 days max for best texture)
Reheating:
- Air fryer at 375°F for 3 minutes (my preferred method)
- Skillet with a tiny bit of oil to revive crispiness
Sauce separation fix: Just whisk in 1 tsp warm water if it thickens

How I Serve Bang Bang Chicken Skewers

These have become my:

Game day appetizer (with extra sauce for dipping)
Meal prep star alongside Salmon Rice Bowls
Quick dinner with cucumber salad (cuts the heat perfectly)

New favorite: Skewers chopped over rice with Hot Honey Feta Chicken style drizzle!

Nutrition & Why I Feel Good About This Recipe

253 calories per serving (about 2 skewers)
28g protein (great post-workout meal)
Customizable heat level (perfect for family meals)

More Recipes I Think You’ll Love

If you’re into these flavors, try my other favorites:

Spinach and Feta Chicken Roll-Ups (elegant but easy)
Bang Bang Shrimp (same sauce, seafood twist)
Hot Honey Feta Chicken
Salmon Rice Bowls
BBQ Chicken Sweet Potato Bowl
Bang Bang Chicken

Ingredients

Main Components:

1.5 lbs boneless chicken breasts or thighs, cubed
2 tbsp avocado oil
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper

Bang Bang Sauce:

½ cup mayonnaise
¼ cup Thai sweet chili sauce
1-2 tbsp sriracha adjust to heat preference
1 tsp honey

Tools:

8-10 wooden skewers soaked or metal skewers

Instructions

Prep Skewers: Soak wooden skewers 30+ mins (prevents burning)
Season Chicken: Toss cubes with oil and spices in bowl
Thread Chicken: 4-5 pieces per skewer, leaving small gaps
Make Sauce: Whisk mayo, chili sauce, sriracha and honey

Air Fry (Preferred):

Brush with sauce
400°F for 11-12 mins, flip halfway
Finish: Drizzle reserved sauce before serving

Alternative Methods:

Oven: 400°F for 20-25 mins
Grill: Medium-high heat, 8-10 mins total

Notes

✔ Sauce Tip: Double the sauce for dipping! Stores 1 week refrigerated
✔ Meal Prep: Skewers keep 3 days raw or cooked
✔ Serving Ideas: Pair with cucumber salad or jasmine rice
✔ Heat Adjustment: Reduce sriracha for milder flavor

Pro Tip: For extra crispiness, broil 1-2 mins after cooking

These Bang Bang Chicken Skewers have earned a permanent spot in my recipe rotation because they’re:
Faster than takeout (ready in 20 minutes!)
Customizable (my kids get mild sauce, I go extra spicy)
Always a crowd-pleaser (I’ve brought them to 3 potlucks this year)

Try them and let me know—did you stick with my sauce ratio or make it your own? Tag me on social or comment below with your Bang Bang Chicken Skewers creations!

Don’t forget to save this recipe—you’ll want to make it again and again. Trust me, I speak from experience!