Air Fryer Bang Bang Chicken Skewers
Ready in less than 30 minutes, these amazing Bang Bang Chicken Skewers feature tender and juicy chicken with a bold sauce! Great for barbecues and picnics, these skewers are also perfect for a simple and quick weeknight dinner.
Whenever I’m craving something super quick and easy but still delicious, these chicken skewers are one of my go-tos. They’re so easy to make in the air fryer so they’re perfect for a quick dinner or barbecues!
And if you’re looking for something to serve alongside them, my Watermelon Tajin Skewers or these Watermelon Caprese Skewers are perfect as a side dish! This Ginger Rice has been my go-to though, because carbs are a necessity.
Why This Recipe Works
- Big flavor, minimal effort: These skewers are coated in a creamy, spicy-sweet Bang Bang sauce that tastes restaurant-worthy—but they’re easy enough for a weeknight dinner.
- Great for all occasions: Whether you’re looking to meal prep or add something flavorful and tender to any spread, this recipe has you covered.
- Grill, air fry, or bake: However you cook them, these skewers come out crispy, juicy, and totally irresistible. Just like my Air Fryer Greek Chicken Skewers!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Chicken thighs – I prefer using chicken thighs for skewers because they get crisp on the outside, stay juicy on the inside, and are hard to overcook.
- Seasonings – The bang bang sauce isn’t the only thing adding loads of flavor to these skewers; paprika, minced garlic, salt, and pepper make the chicken super flavorful!
- Bang bang sauce – This homemade sauce is a blend of mayo, sriracha, paprika, and sweet chili sauce.
*For a detailed list of instructions, ingredients and measurements, please reference the recipe card down below.
Substitutions/Additions
- You can use chicken breasts instead of thighs if you prefer white meat. They cook slightly faster so be sure to keep an eye on them.
- Prep ahead: bang bang sauce can be made up to 3 days in advance.
- Another shortcut is to use jarred minced garlic instead of mincing fresh cloves.
- Make it lighter: Swap mayo for Greek yogurt or light mayo to cut back on calories without losing creaminess.
- Make it dairy-free: Use avocado mayo or a dairy-free yogurt alternative for the sauce base.
- Try shrimp or tofu: This bang bang sauce also pairs well with shrimp, tofu, or even cauliflower for a vegetarian twist.
How to Make Bang Bang Chicken Skewers
Step 1: Season chicken. Combine diced chicken in a mixing bowl with olive oil, then toss with paprika, garlic, salt and black pepper.
Step 2: Make sauce. In a separate bowl, combine mayo, chili sauce, sriracha, and paprika.
Step 3: Skewer chicken. Mix 1/4 cup of the sauce with the chicken, then thread the pieces onto your skewers.
Step 4: Air fry. Cook in a single layer in the air fryer basket at 375 degrees. Air fry for 12 minutes, then flip and cook another 10 minutes. Brush with more sauce and serve!
Storing and reheating
I like to remove the chicken from the skewers before placing them in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days or in the freezer for about a month.
To reheat them, you can air fry the chicken at 350 F for about 4-5 minutes, or until the chicken is heated through. You can also microwave your bang bang chicken if you don’t feel like waiting for the air fryer to preheat. If your chicken is frozen, just make sure to let it thaw in the fridge before reheating.
More Easy bang Bang Sauce Recipes
- Bang Bang Sauce
- Bang Bang Chicken
- Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos
- Bang Bang Chicken Bowl
- Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta Recipe
If you tried these bang bang chicken skewers or any other recipe on my blog please leave a 🌟 star rating and tell me how it went in the 📝 comments below. I love hearing from you!
Bang Bang Chicken Skewers
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into 1 inch cubes
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Bang Bang Sauce
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp sweet chili sauce
- 2 tbsp sriracha
- 1/4 tsp paprika
Optional Toppings
- 1 tbsp green onions chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh cilantro
- 1/2 tbsp sesame seeds
Instructions
- Add the cubed chicken to a mixing bowl and toss with the olive oil until fully coated. Season the chicken with paprika, garlic, salt, and pepper, mixing until the chicken is evenly coated.2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp minced garlic, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper
- In a separate bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and paprika. Add ¼ cup of the bang bang sauce to the chicken and mix until fully coated.1/4 cup mayonnaise, 2 tbsp sweet chili sauce, 2 tbsp sriracha, 1/4 tsp paprika
- Preheat the air fryer to 375F.
- Thread the marinated chicken onto the skewers then place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they don’t overlap and have about half an inch of room between each one.
- Air fry for 12 minutes, flip and air fry for 10 more minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and is golden brown on the edges.
- When the chicken is finished cooking, brush some of the remaining sauce over the chicken and garnish with sliced green onions before serving.1 tbsp green onions, 1 tbsp fresh cilantro, 1/2 tbsp sesame seeds
Notes
- Don’t forget to soak your wooden skewers in water for 30-60 minutes.
- A basting brush makes all the difference when you’re wanting an even application of bang bang sauce over the chicken. If you don’t have I’d definitely recommend buying one!
- Do your best to cut the chicken into even sized pieces. Aim for uniform 1–1.5 inch pieces so they cook evenly and stay juicy. Uneven chunks = overcooked edges and raw centers.
- Don’t over-marinate the chicken. 30 minutes to 1 hour is plenty—too long in a sauce with vinegar or lime can start to break down the chicken.
- Consider doubling the sauce. If you’re a sauce lover (or serving with rice or veggies), make extra for drizzling or dipping!
Nutrition
Recipe FAQs
This mayo-based sauce is packed with sweet and spicy flavors and is often served with shrimp, chicken, and fried foods. Bonefish Grill is known for their bang bang shrimp dish which popularized the sauce.
Yes, as long as you cook to an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees F it’s safe to air fry raw chicken!
If your wooden skewers end up burnt, try soaking them in some water before adding the chicken pieces.
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