Bang Bang Chicken Skewers

 Bang Bang Chicken Skewers is a quick, easy, and flavorful recipe made with seasoned cubed chicken brushed with homemade bang bang sauce, cooked in an air fryer. They make for a delicious appetizer or main course and can also be made in the oven! Once you taste how good the sauce is, you will want to make my Bang Bang Salmon, too!

Ingredients & Substitutions

Chicken: I prefer chicken breasts for the skewers. However, you could also use chicken thighs, but cooking times may vary. When cubing the chicken, try to get them as close in size as possible for even cooking.

Seasonings: To season the chicken, you will need paprika, garlic powder, kosher salt, and pepper.

Mayonnaise: The mayonnaise gives the sauce the creamy texture and richness that bang bang sauce is known for. If you don’t have any on hand, make your own!

Sweet Chili Sauce: Thai sweet chili sauce gives bang bang sauce its distinctive taste and contributes to its overall sweetness. If possible, make your own!

Sriracha: Sriracha gives the sauce a spicy kick with some heat. You can definitely add more (or use less), depending on how much heat you can handle!

Honey: Honey is used to balance out the flavors of the sauce. It adds a natural sweetness that helps to counteract the heat from the Sriracha and balances the tanginess of the Thai sweet chili sauce.

Wooden Skewers vs Metal Skewers

Both wooden and metal skewers can be used when making these bang bang chicken skewers, even in the air fryer. If using wooden skewers, be sure they are soaked in water for at least 30 minutes before using them. Soaking them in water prevents the skewers from charring during cooking. If using metal skewers, make sure they fit in the basket of your air fryer. If using wooden skewers, you can break them in half if you need to shorten them.

Can I Make Bang Bang Chicken Skewers Ahead Of Time?

Yes! You can get the seasoned chicken skewers assembled ahead of time as well as make the bang bang sauce in advance. Once you have the chicken on the skewers, you can store them in the refrigerator or freeze them before cooking. If stored in the refrigerator, they will last 2-3 days, covered. These can also be frozen ahead of time. To freeze, tightly wrap the chicken skewers; they will last in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to cook them, let the skewers thaw in the refrigerator overnight. The bang bang sauce can be mixed together and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Storing & Reheating Bang Bang Chicken Skewers

If you have any leftover chicken skewers, store the skewers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. (If preferred, you can remove the chicken from the skewers when storing.) Reheat them in the oven, microwave, or in a skillet on the stovetop. Store the leftover reserved bang bang sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Brush it over the reheated chicken.

Ingredients

wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes

Chicken

  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

Bang Bang Sauce

  • 1 ¼ cups (290 g) mayonnaise
  • ⅔ cup Thai sweet chili sauce
  • 2 teaspoons Sriracha, or more to taste
  • 2 tablespoons honey

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