Bang bang chicken skewers are a flavorful, easy-to-make dish perfect for weeknight dinners, family gatherings or game night parties.
Grilled or cooked in the air fryer, these tender chicken skewers are coated in a creamy bang bang sauce with the perfect balance of spice and sweetness.
Easy bang bang chicken skewers
Bang bang chicken skewers are a quick and delicious way to take your meal prep or family dinner to whole new level of yum.
These tender chicken pieces, perfectly seasoned and skewered, are paired with the signature bang bang sauce, a creamy, spicy, and slightly sweet dressing that ties everything together.
Whether you’re grilling, using an air fryer, or cooking on the stovetop, these skewers are a surefire hit for anyone craving bold flavors. Try it out and thank me later.
Recipe Highlights
- Bold flavor combo: A perfect mix of savory, spicy, and sweet.
- Versatile cooking options: Grill, air fry, or cook them on the stove.
- Perfect for any occasion: Great for parties, weeknight dinners, or meal prep. We love making bang bang chicken rice bowls. Delicious!
- Easy and fun to make: Requires minimal prep and simple ingredients.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Skewers
- Chicken Thighs: Juicy and tender, perfect for skewers.
- Toasted Sesame Oil: Adds a rich nutty flavor.
- Garlic Powder: A convenient way to add a subtle garlic kick.
- Onion Powder
- Ground Ginger: Brings a hint of warm spice.
- Salt and Pepper: to season to perfection.
For Bang Bang Sauce
- Japanese Mayonnaise: Creamy and slightly tangy.
- Honey: Sweetens the sauce perfectly.
- Sriracha: Brings a balanced heat.
- Sweet Chili Sauce: Adds a touch of tangy sweetness with mild heat.
* Need to print out this recipe? You’ll find a printable recipe card at the end of this post. Enjoy!
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- Air fryer
- Wooden skewers or the stainless steel skewers that come with your air fryer.
- Silicon brush.
How to make bang bang chicken skewers
Follow the steps below to make the best bang bang chicken skewers everyone would love!
Make the sauce
Mix mayonnaise, honey, sriracha, and Thai sweet chili sauce. Adjust with more sriracha for heat or honey for sweetness. Divide into two bowls, one for basting and one for serving.
Air fryer method
Cut bamboo skewers to fit the air fryer and soak for 15 to 20 mins. Note to that this step is optional if using the air fryer. However soaking is recommended if you are using the oven or grill to cook these chicken skewers. (Soak up to 30 mins if using the grill.)
Toss chicken thighs with sesame oil and seasonings until evenly coated.
Thread seasoned chicken onto skewers, Arrange in the air fryer basket without overcrowding.
Brush skewers with sauce and air fry at 400°F for 6 to 7 minutes. Flip, baste again, and cook for another 6 to 7 minutes until the chicken reaches 165°F. Repeat for remaining batches.
Serve: Drizzle with reserved sauce, garnish with sesame seeds and green onions, and enjoy as is or with rice.
In the Oven
Preheat to 400°F. Bake skewers on a lined tray for 20 to 25 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Remember to flip halfway through.
On the Stovetop
Heat a grill pan over medium heat, cooking skewers for about 10 to 12 minutes, turning occasionally. Be sure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C)
What to serve with bang bang chicken skewers
Bang Bang Chicken Bowls: remove meat from skewers and with rice, steamed veggies, and extra bang bang sauce.
Thai Sweet Chili Salad: Crisp greens topped with bang bang sauce or a tangy Thai sweet chili dressing.
Garlic Noodles: The creamy sauce complements the savory noodles perfectly.
How to store
Store: Remove leftover chicken bites from skewers and put in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Store any remaining sauce separately in a sealed container, like a mason jar, and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
To reheat, warm chicken in the air fryer or oven at 350°F for 5 to 8 minutes or until heated through.
Helpful Tips
- Swap chicken thighs for boneless, skinless chicken breasts if preferred.
- Toasted sesame oil adds a deep, umami flavor, but you can substitute it with avocado oil or extra virgin olive oil.
- For a tangier sauce, cut the honey in half or then add a tablespoon of rice vinegar. The flavor will differ slightly but still deliver the sweet and tangy profile.
- Always cut bamboo skewers to fit your air fryer or use the metal skewers that come with your air fryer.
- Soak the bamboo skewers in water for at least 20 minutes to prevent burning. (To be honest and from experience this isn't necessary when using your air fryer because the skewers don't stay long enough in the air fryer to burn. However, for the grill you will need to soak for up to 30 mins.)
- Cook chicken to internal temp of 165°F for safe and juicy results.
- If you have time on your hands marinate for at least 30 minutes to Let the chicken absorb the flavors.
FAQs
Yes, but thighs stay juicier during cooking.
Regular mayonnaise works, but Japanese mayonnaise adds a richer flavor.
You can adjust the heat by reducing the amount of sriracha in the sauce.
More bang bang sauce recipes
- Bang bang salmon
- Air fryer bang bang shrimp
- Bang bang salmon bowls
- Check out all our Home Cooked Recipes
Ready to try these irresistible bang bang chicken skewers? Whether you’re using an air fryer, or the stovetop, this recipe will quickly become a household favorite.
Don’t forget to drizzle extra bang bang sauce for a burst of flavor. Give it a try, and share your delicious creations with us on Instagram or Pinterest.
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Bang bang chicken skewers
Equipment
- 5 qt air fryer or larger
- Bamboo skewers, cut to size
Ingredients
For the bang bang sauce:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons sriracha
- ½ cup sweet chili sauce
For the chicken:
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into 1.5 inch thick pieces
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
For serving (bowls)
- Cooked white rice, shelled edamame, sliced cucumbers, shredded red cabbage, shredded carrots, sliced green onions, black and white sesame seeds, extra bang bang sauce.
Instructions
Prep the Skewers
- Cut bamboo skewers to fit your air fryer, then soak them in water for 15 to 20 minutes to prevent burning during cooking (if you are cooking these in the oven or grill. Please See note 5 for more details)
Make the Bang Bang Sauce
- In a small bowl, mix together mayonnaise, honey, sriracha, and Thai sweet chili until smooth.
- Taste and adjust to your preference by adding more sriracha for heat or honey for sweetness. If the flavors are too bold, balance them out with a little extra mayonnaise.
- Divide the sauce into two separate bowls. Use one for basting the chicken while it cooks, and reserve the other for serving.
Prepare the Air Fryer
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Season the Chicken
- In a large bowl, combine the chicken thigh pieces, sesame oil, and seasonings. Toss everything together until the chicken is evenly coated.
Assemble the Skewers
- Thread 6 to 8 pieces of chicken onto each skewer, ensuring they’re spaced slightly apart.
- Arrange the skewers in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving room for airflow. Cook in batches if necessary, depending on your air fryer size.
Cook and Baste
- Brush the chicken skewers with the bang bang sauce from one of the bowls. Air fry at 400°F for 6 to 7 minutes.
- Flip the skewers, brush with more sauce, and cook for an additional 6 to 7 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Transfer the cooked skewers to a plate and repeat with any remaining batches.
- Drizzle the reserved (unused) bang bang sauce over the cooked skewers. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions. Enjoy on their own or serve over white rice for a complete meal.
For Bang Bang Chicken Bowls
- Build a bowl by layering white rice, fresh veggies like sliced cucumbers, shredded red cabbage, shredded carrots, and shelled edamame. Top with chicken skewers, sesame seeds, and green onions for a vibrant, delicious meal.
Notes
- Swap chicken thighs for boneless, skinless chicken breasts if preferred.
- Toasted sesame oil adds a deep, umami flavor, but you can substitute it with avocado oil or extra virgin olive oil.
- For a tangier sauce, cut the honey in half or leave it out completely then add a tablespoon of rice vinegar. The flavor will differ slightly but still deliver the sweet and tangy profile.
- Always cut bamboo skewers to fit your air fryer or use the metal skewers that come with your air fryer.
- If you are worried the bamboo sticks will burn, soak the bamboo skewers in water for at least 20 minutes to prevent burning. (To be honest and from experience this isn't necessary when using your air fryer because the skewers don't stay long enough in the air fryer to burn. However, for the grill you will need to soak for up to 30 mins.)
- Let the chicken cool completely before storing. Place leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
- Store any remaining sauce separately in a sealed container, like a mason jar, and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
