Description
Delicious Bang Bang Chicken Skewers featuring tender, juicy chicken thighs coated in a flavorful spicy seasoning and smothered in a creamy, tangy bang bang sauce with hints of lime and chili. Perfectly cooked on the grill or air fryer for a quick, crowd-pleasing appetizer or main dish.
Ingredients
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1½-2 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
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 Tbsp hot honey (optional)
Bang Bang Sauce
- 1 cup mayonnaise (more as needed)
- 2 Tbsp fresh squeezed lime juice
- ⅔ cup Thai sweet chili sauce
- ¼ cup Sriracha (adjust to desired heat level)
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 thoroughly to coat the chicken evenly with the seasoning.
- Thread the Skewers: Take wooden skewers soaked in water and thread the seasoned chicken chunks onto each skewer, filling about half to three-quarters of the skewer length.
- Make the Bang Bang Sauce: In a medium bowl, mix together mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and fresh lime juice until smooth and well combined. This will yield about 1.5 cups of sauce.
- Apply the Sauce: Pour half of the prepared bang bang sauce into a separate bowl for serving later. Brush the remaining sauce generously over the chicken skewers, making sure to coat well, including in between the pieces.
- Cooking on the Grill: Place the coated chicken skewers on a preheated medium-high grill. Grill for 15-20 minutes, turning frequently to cook evenly. Continuously brush additional bang bang sauce from the reserved portion onto the chicken as it cooks until the sauce is used up and the chicken is caramelized and fully cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Cooking in the Air Fryer: Arrange the skewers in a single layer inside the air fryer basket without overcrowding. Air fry at 400°F for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through. Confirm the chicken is cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Serve: Once cooked, transfer the skewers to a serving plate. Drizzle or brush with the reserved bang bang sauce along with a drizzle of hot honey if desired. Serve immediately for best flavor.
Notes
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts can be used as an alternative to thighs.
- Hot honey adds a sweet, spicy glaze but can be substituted with regular honey or omitted for less sweetness.
- For a milder version, omit the cayenne pepper, hot honey, and reduce the amount of Sriracha.
- Soak wooden skewers in water before threading to prevent burning during cooking.
- Leftover skewers can be reheated in an air fryer at 350°F for 3 minutes or microwaved carefully to avoid toughening the chicken.
- These skewers keep for up to 4 days stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes (grill) or 10-12 minutes (air fryer)
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
