
Tender, juicy, and outrageously flavorful, these Bang Bang Chicken Skewers with Spicy Thai Sauce will absolutely light up your taste buds! They’re sticky, saucy, sweet, and spicy in every irresistible bite—exactly the kind of party food or weeknight dinner you’ll want to make on repeat.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Big, Contrasting Flavors: Every bite balances sweet, spicy, tangy, and creamy in the most addictive way.
- Easy Weeknight or Crowd Pleaser: Quick enough for busy evenings, but dressed-up enough to wow at parties or BBQs.
- Flexible Cooking Methods: These Bang Bang Chicken Skewers with Spicy Thai Sauce are delicious whether you grill or air fry.
- That Dreamy, Dippable Sauce: The bang bang sauce is so good you’ll want to slather it on everything.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Bang Bang Chicken Skewers with Spicy Thai Sauce lies in its core ingredients—just a handful, but each brings something to the party. Let me walk you through why each one is so important for flavor, color, and that crave-able sauciness.
- Chicken thighs: Their juiciness and flavor hold up beautifully to grilling or air frying—plus, they stay incredibly tender.
- Extra virgin olive oil: A drizzle helps lock in moisture and coats the chicken for even seasoning.
- Paprika: Adds a gorgeous color and subtle smokiness that makes every bite pop.
- Garlic powder: Lends a warm, savory undertone without the sharpness of fresh garlic.
- Black pepper: Brings gentle heat and depth that ties all the flavors together.
- Cayenne pepper: For a little kick; if you’re spice-shy, you can reduce or skip it.
- Salt: Balances the bold flavors—don’t skip this step!
- Hot honey: Optional, but it adds a sticky-sweet layer and a gentle punch. Try it once and you’ll always want it.
- Mayonnaise: The creamy canvas of our bang bang sauce, making it lush and pourable.
- Lime juice: Fresh-squeezed is a must for brightness and zing.
- Thai sweet chili sauce: Essential for that sweet-spicy-tangy combo.
- Sriracha: Use as much (or as little) as you crave for that signature heat and color.
Variations
Don’t be afraid to make Bang Bang Chicken Skewers with Spicy Thai Sauce your own! This recipe is flexible—it welcomes tweaks for heat levels, dietary needs, and what’s already in your kitchen.
- Swap Chicken Thighs for Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts work just as well if that’s what you have or prefer; just be careful not to overcook for juiciness.
- Mild Version: Skip the cayenne and use less Sriracha for a gentle, family-friendly version.
- Dairy-Free Option: Grab your favorite vegan mayo and you’re good to go—no flavor missing!
- Make It Even Hotter: Double up the cayenne or toss in extra hot honey if you love a fiery bite.
How to Make Bang Bang Chicken Skewers with Spicy Thai Sauce
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
Toss your cubed chicken thighs into a big bowl, then shower them with olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, cayenne, and salt. Give everything a good mix so each piece is coated—this is where the flavor magic starts. Let it all mingle while you get the sauce and skewers ready.
Step 2: Thread and Prep the Skewers
If you’re using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 20 minutes to prevent burning (do this while you marinate the chicken for ultimate multitasking!). Thread the seasoned chicken pieces onto the skewers, leaving a little space at the ends for easy turning. Lay them on a baking sheet, ready for saucing.
Step 3: Mix the Bang Bang Sauce
In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and freshly squeezed lime juice until silky smooth. This sauce is your flavor superstar—set aside half for brushing while the chicken cooks, and the rest for drizzling and dipping later!
Step 4: Brush and Cook
Generously brush the assembled chicken skewers with half of your bang bang sauce, making sure to get in between each juicy chunk. Pop them on your preheated grill or into your air fryer basket in a single layer. Grill over medium-high for 15-20 minutes (or air fry at 400°F for 10-12 minutes), turning and basting with more sauce as they cook—the goal is caramelized, sticky, saucy perfection!
Step 5: Serve with Extra Bang Bang Sauce
Once your Bang Bang Chicken Skewers with Spicy Thai Sauce are cooked through (aim for 165°F on a meat thermometer), transfer them to a platter. Drizzle with the reserved sauce and a little extra hot honey if you love that sticky-sweet finish. Dig in while they’re hot and saucy!
Pro Tips for Making Bang Bang Chicken Skewers with Spicy Thai Sauce
- Soak Those Skewers: Wooden skewers can char quickly—give them a good soak in water while you prep to keep your chicken (not your sticks!) smoky and delicious.
- Sauce It Generously: Don’t be stingy—every brush of bang bang sauce adds more flavor and helps the chicken caramelize beautifully.
- Test for Doneness: A quick-read thermometer is your best friend; pull the skewers at 165°F to keep everything juicy and safe to eat.
- Customize Heat Level: Taste your sauce before brushing and adjust the Sriracha or honey until the spice level sings for you!
How to Serve Bang Bang Chicken Skewers with Spicy Thai Sauce
Garnishes
Scatter chopped fresh cilantro, sliced green onions, or a shower of toasted sesame seeds over your Bang Bang Chicken Skewers with Spicy Thai Sauce for a burst of color and freshness. Even a few curls of thinly sliced red chili or a wedge of lime really make the platter pop.
Side Dishes
These skewers play well with simple sides—think jasmine rice, coconut rice, or noodle salads to soak up all that tangy-spicy sauce. Crisp veggie slaws, cucumber salad, or even quick pickled veggies add a refreshing, crunchy contrast.
Creative Ways to Present
For a showstopping platter, lay the skewers on a bed of leafy greens, drizzle with extra bang bang sauce, and pile garnishes high. Slide them off the skewers into lettuce cups for handheld party bites, or mix the chicken into a rice bowl topped with all your favorite veggies for an epic, lightning-fast meal prep option.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Bang Bang Chicken Skewers with Spicy Thai Sauce in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll stay juicy and delicious for up to four days—perfect for tossing into salads, wraps, or grain bowls throughout the week.
Freezing
You can freeze the cooked chicken skewers (just skip the fresh garnishes until serving); wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge, then reheat as needed—though sauce is best added fresh after reheating!
Reheating
To keep that perfect texture, reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for just about 3 minutes, or until warmed through. You can also use the microwave, but heat gently in short bursts to avoid making the chicken tough. Add a fresh drizzle of bang bang sauce before serving for that just-cooked zing.
FAQs
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Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs for Bang Bang Chicken Skewers with Spicy Thai Sauce?
Absolutely! Chicken breasts work nicely; just cut them into similar-size cubes and take care not to overcook, since they can dry out faster than thighs. The marinade and sauce will keep things tender and flavorful either way.
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How spicy is the sauce, and can I adjust the heat?
The heat level is totally customizable! For a milder bang bang sauce, use less Sriracha and cayenne, or skip the hot honey. For more kick, add more Sriracha or an extra dash of cayenne.
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Can I prepare Bang Bang Chicken Skewers with Spicy Thai Sauce ahead of time?
Yes! You can marinate the chicken and prep the sauce up to a day in advance. Even the skewers can be assembled ahead, then covered and refrigerated until ready to cook—making party prep a breeze!
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What’s the best way to keep wooden skewers from burning?
Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 20 minutes before threading the chicken. This trick helps prevent burning, especially during grilling or air frying.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving a meal that’s big on flavor and easy on prep, you have to give Bang Bang Chicken Skewers with Spicy Thai Sauce a try. They’re the perfect combo of spicy, sweet, juicy, and crunchy fun—absolutely guaranteed to leave everyone reaching for seconds. Go ahead, gather your ingredients and get ready for deliciousness!
PrintBang Bang Chicken Skewers with Spicy Thai Sauce Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Grilling, Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These Bang Bang Chicken Skewers are a delicious and spicy twist on classic grilled chicken skewers. Marinated in a flavorful blend of spices and served with a creamy and tangy bang bang sauce, these skewers are perfect for a summer BBQ or a quick weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 1 1/2–2 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
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 Tbsp hot honey
For the Bang Bang Sauce:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 Tbsp lime juice, fresh squeezed
- 2/3 cup Thai sweet chili sauce
- 1/4 cup Sriracha
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl, combine the cubed chicken thighs, oil, paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper, salt, and hot honey. Toss to coat the chicken well.
- Prepare the Bang Bang Sauce: In a medium bowl, mix together mayonnaise, lime juice, Thai sweet chili sauce, and Sriracha to make the bang bang sauce.
- Thread the Chicken: Skewer the marinated chicken pieces onto skewers.
- Grill or Air Fry: Grill the skewers over medium-high heat, turning and basting with the sauce until cooked through. Alternatively, air fry the skewers until cooked.
- Serve: Drizzle with reserved bang bang sauce and hot honey before serving.
Notes
- Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts as an alternative.
- Adjust heat levels by modifying the amount of cayenne pepper, hot honey, and Sriracha.
- Soak wooden skewers in water to prevent burning.
- Leftover skewers can be reheated in an air fryer or microwave.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 skewer
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 95mg