Bang Bang Chicken Skewers Recipe

Juicy and flavorful, these Bang Bang Chicken Skewers are marinated in a savory blend of soy, sesame, and garlic, then brushed with a creamy, sweet, and spicy Bang Bang Sauce for a bold finish. Perfectly cooked using an air fryer, oven, or on the grill, they’re an irresistible appetizer or main dish for any occasion!

Why This Recipe Works

Double the Flavor: This bang bang chicken skewers recipe has double the flavor, starting with a savory marinade and then brushing the chicken with a classic bang bang sauce. This two-step flavoring process ensures the chicken is delicious through and through, not just on the surface! If you’re a fan of Bang Bang shrimp, you are going to love this Bang Bang chicken recipe!

Easy to Make: Bang bang chicken skewers couldn’t be easier to make! After marinating the chicken, you skewer it, cook it, and brush it with the sauce! The best part for me is their versatility, too. These skewers can be served as appetizers at parties, or as a satisfying main course alongside rice and vegetables!

Three Cooking Options: The three cooking method options make this recipe accessible to everyone, at any time of year. Fire up the grill in summer for classic charred flavor and gorgeous grill marks, use the oven when feeding a crowd or during cooler months, or pop them in the air fryer for a quick weeknight dinner with minimal cleanup!

Supplies Needed

• Skewers (bamboo or metal)
• Large mixing bowl
• Small bowl for sauce
• Cutting board and sharp knife
• Grater or Microplane
• Meat thermometer
• Basting brush

Ingredients

• Chicken Breasts: Chicken breasts work well here, but you can also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs if you prefer!
• Soy Sauce: Soy sauce infuses the chicken with a deeply savory flavor.
• Sesame Oil: Sesame oil adds just the right amount of fat and a nutty flavor profile!
• Garlic & Ginger: Use ginger and garlic for a depth of flavor and delicious aroma.
• Honey: Honey balances out all the flavors and will help the chicken caramelize as it cooks!
• Kosher Salt & Black Pepper: To taste!
• Bang Bang Sauce: To make a homemade bang bang sauce, you will need sweet chili sauce, mayo, sriracha, lime zest, and lime juice!

Preparation

1. Prep Chicken: Remove the chicken from the packaging and cube into even pieces, about 1 inch in size.
2. Marinade the Chicken: In a large bowl, mix soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, salt, and pepper. Add the cubed chicken to the bowl, toss to coat, and marinate for 30 minutes (or up to 2 hours for more flavor) in the refrigerator.
3. Make Bang Bang Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together sweet chili sauce, mayonnaise, sriracha, honey, lime zest, and juice. Adjust the spice level to your preference by adding more or less sriracha.
4. Skewer the Chicken: If using bamboo skewers, soak them in water for 20 minutes to prevent burning. Thread the marinated chicken onto the skewers, leaving a little space between each piece for even cooking.

Cooking Methods

Grilling Method

1. Preheat & Grill: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Place the skewers on the grill and cook for about 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and has nice grill marks. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165 F.
2. Brush with Bang Bang Sauce: Brush the cooked chicken skewers generously with the Bang Bang Sauce while still hot. Reserve some sauce for dipping.

Oven Method

1. Preheat: Preheat your oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup.
2. Prep Sheet Pan: Arrange the skewers on a wire rack placed over the baking sheet (to allow even cooking) or directly on the sheet.
3. Bake: Bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is cooked through and lightly browned. For extra char, broil for an additional 1-2 minutes at the end.
4. Brush with Bang Bang Sauce: Brush with the Bang Bang Sauce while hot, garnish, and serve.

Air Fryer Method

1. Preheat: Preheat the air fryer to 350 F.
2. Place Skewers: Arrange the skewers in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not overlap. Work in batches if needed.
3. Air Fry: Air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping the skewers halfway through, brush both sides with the sauce, and continue cooking until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and is golden brown.
4. Brush with Bang Bang Sauce: Brush the skewers again with the Bang Bang Sauce immediately after cooking. Garnish and serve.

Tips for Success

• When marinating, don’t exceed 2 hours – the acid in the marinade can start to break down the meat texture if left too long.
• Reserve some of the sauce for dipping! Make sure to reserve some of the sauce for dipping the skewers once you serve them. If you think you’ll need more, you can double the Bang Bang sauce recipe. It can be made up to 3 days ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator!
• If using bamboo skewers, don’t skip the soaking step. this prevents burning and splintering during cooking. For easier threading, you can use two parallel skewers per portion to prevent the chicken from spinning when you flip them.

What To Pair With Bang Bang Chicken

Serve these chicken skewers on their own as an appetizer or snack, or make a meal of it! I love to serve them with rice and extra sauce, as well as a vegetable side like my Brussels spouts slaw or cabbage chopped salad. They would also go amazingly with a cold soba noodles salad! During the summer, try serving it with smoked corn on the cob, too. 

You can also make tacos out of the Bang Bang chicken by wrapping it in corn tortillas and topping it off with shredded cabbage, cilantro, and a drizzle of the Bang Bang sauce!

More Recipes To Try

• Grilled Thai Curry Chicken Wings
• Grilled Beef Satay Skewers
• Grilled Chicken Nuggets
• Armenian Kofta Kebabs
• Grilled Chicken Spiedini