Zesty Bang Bang Chicken Skewers

As seen in Small Bites, Big Flavors.

Juicy chunks of chicken thigh soak up spices, then get skewered and thrown on the grill or into the air fryer till caramelized. That creamy bang bang sauce? It’s got mayo, Thai chili, Sriracha, and some zippy lime. Just brush it on, grill, and watch 'em turn golden. Add a little hot honey if you’re up for more heat. They’re a snap for parties. Every bite packs a punch.

Barbara Chef
Created By Sasha
Last updated on Thu, 03 Jul 2025 15:28:23 GMT
Tray stacked with kebab sticks and tasty sauce. Save Pin
Tray stacked with kebab sticks and tasty sauce. | foodthingle.com

Bang Bang Chicken Skewers disappear fast at any get-together because their sweet heat and lively sauce make people come back for more. Juicy chicken, a mix of smoky bits from grilling or air frying, and that creamy spicy-sweet sauce — you’ll want a little bowl extra just for dipping, trust me.

My kids love threading the chicken and slopping on the sauce. Now, grilling outside together is kind of our thing once the sun's out.

Tasty Ingredients

  • Chicken thighs: super succulent, go for ones that are moist and pink
  • Extra virgin olive oil: coats the chicken so it stays tender, choose one that has a bold scent and color
  • Paprika: gives it brightness and a soft kick, freshest jars smell the best
  • Garlic powder: brings savory notes, get it from a busy shop so it’s potent
  • Black pepper: adds zing, grinding your own makes it pop
  • Cayenne pepper: cranks up the spice, go light or skip if you aren't into much heat
  • Salt: makes all the flavors stand out, flaky or sea salt is tastiest
  • Hot honey: sticky-sweet with heat, regular honey is totally fine too
  • Mayonnaise: makes the sauce extra creamy, full-fat is best but any will work
  • Lime juice: gives a bright zap, squeeze it fresh if you can
  • Thai sweet chili sauce: brings a sweet tang and a hit of chili flavor, look for visible chili bits
  • Sriracha: spicy and garlicky, dial it up or down depending on your mood

Foolproof How-To

Serve It Up:
Pop those hot skewers on a clean dish. Slather on the leftover creamy sauce and a little more hot honey if you want. Keep extra sauce nearby—everyone loves to dunk. Eat right away while it’s still warm
Grill or Air Fry:
If grilling, cook on medium-high and spin often for about 15 to 20 minutes until the chicken gets golden all over. Paint on more sauce as it goes so it gets that caramelized edge. Use a thermometer to check for 165 for juicy meat. For the air fryer, lay them flat and cook at 400 for about 10 to 12 minutes flipping them halfway through
Sauce the Chicken:
Set skewers on a pan for easy handling. Use a brush to dump sauce over each one so every part is saucy
Make the Bang Bang Sauce:
Mix up mayo, lime, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha in a fresh bowl until super creamy. Tweak the spice till you’re happy. Spoon half into a little bowl for dipping at the end
Soak and Thread:
Soak sticks in water for 15 minutes so they won’t catch fire. Thread chicken onto them, leaving a little gap between each bit for even cooking
Marinate the Chicken:
Toss the chicken pieces with olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, cayenne, salt, and hot honey. Stir them all up so every chunk gets a shiny coating
A tray of chicken skewers with sauce. Save Pin
A tray of chicken skewers with sauce. | foodthingle.com

I could honestly just eat the sauce with a spoon! These always take me back to those backyard nights when we all get messy fingers and everybody sneaks seconds.

Keeping It Fresh

Tuck your chicken skewers into a sealed container and chill for up to four days. Heat them back up in your air fryer at 350 for about three minutes (you'll get the crispy bits) or use the microwave—go slow so they're still juicy and not chewy

Swap Options

Want it lighter? Use chicken breast but thighs are definitely juicier. Not a spice fan? Skip the cayenne and pull back on the sriracha. If you can't find hot honey, any honey does the trick for a sweet sticky finish

Ways to Serve

Heap these up on a platter with fresh lime and a sprinkle of cilantro. Pair with a crisp salad or bowl of rice to soak up all that extra sauce. They taste awesome cold too—perfect for snacks, lunchboxes, or picnics

A tray of marinated chicken skewers. Save Pin
A tray of marinated chicken skewers. | foodthingle.com

Fun Background

Bang Bang sauce borrows flavors like Thai chili and Sriracha but the skewers themselves are an American twist on street food. It’s fusion food—a mashup that totally nails that cookout or takeout vibe

Common Recipe Questions

→ Which type of chicken holds up best on skewers?

Go for boneless, skinless thighs—they stay juicy. If you want less fat, chicken breast will work too, just don’t overcook it.

→ How do you stop wooden skewers from burning up?

Pop your wooden skewers in water to soak while you set up the chicken. This keeps them from getting scorched when cooking on the grill or in the air fryer.

→ Is it possible to change the spiciness?

Totally. Tone down the heat by skipping cayenne, adding less Sriracha, or leaving out hot honey if you want it mild.

→ What's in bang bang sauce anyway?

It’s a mix of mayo, Thai sweet chili, a hit of Sriracha, and a squeeze of lime—all mixed up for spicy tang.

→ How should I keep and reheat leftovers?

Tuck them into a sealed container in the fridge—they’ll last up to four days. When reheating, use the air fryer at 350°F if you want those crispy edges back.

→ Could these be prepped ahead?

For sure. Let the chicken marinate and skewer it all ahead of time, then grill or air fry right before you want to serve for the best bite and texture.

Bang Bang Skewers

Tender chicken skewers cooked on the grill or in an air fryer, slathered with bold, sweet-and-spicy bang bang sauce for extra flavor.

Preparation Time
15 Minutes
Cooking Time
20 Minutes
Overall Time
35 Minutes
Created By: Sasha

Recipe Type: Appetizers & Snacks

Skill Level: Moderate

Regional Style: American

Output: 6 Number of Servings

Special Diets: No Gluten, Lacks Dairy

What You'll Need

→ Chicken Skewers

01 2 tablespoons hot honey or plain honey, optional
02 0.5 teaspoon kosher salt
03 0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper
04 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
05 1 teaspoon garlic powder
06 1 teaspoon paprika
07 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
08 1.5 to 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1 inch pieces

→ Bang Bang Sauce

09 0.25 cup Sriracha sauce, adjust if you like it more or less spicy
10 0.67 cup Thai sweet chili sauce
11 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
12 1 cup mayonnaise

Steps to Follow

Step 01

Put the hot cooked skewers on a serving plate. Brush on the rest of the Bang Bang sauce and add more hot honey if you're craving some extra kick. Eat right away while they're still warm.

Step 02

Set your air fryer to 400°F (204°C) and lay the skewers inside in a single layer. Let them cook for about 10 to 12 minutes. Flip them once about halfway and pull them out when they're golden and their inside hits 165°F (74°C).

Step 03

Crank your grill to medium-high. Cook the skewers for 15 to 20 minutes, flipping every now and then, till the chicken gets caramelized and hot all the way through (165°F/74°C inside). Keep slathering on more sauce as they cook.

Step 04

Lay the skewers flat on your baking pan. Slather half of that Bang Bang sauce right over the chicken so every bit gets covered.

Step 05

Whip together your mayo, lime juice, chili sauce, and Sriracha in a medium bowl until it's all blended and smooth. Scoop half into a bowl for dipping later. The other half is for basting the chicken as it cooks.

Step 06

Sink your wooden skewers in water for at least 15 minutes so they won't burn. Then thread the marinated chicken pieces on, filling each stick about 2/3 of the way.

Step 07

Dump the chicken pieces in a big bowl. Pour in the olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, cayenne, salt, and honey. Give it all a good toss by hand so every chunk gets a nice coating.

Additional Tips

  1. If you're not into thighs, chicken breast will work too.
  2. Dial back on Sriracha, skip the hot honey and cayenne if you want things milder.
  3. When reheating, toss the skewers in your air fryer at 350°F (177°C) for a few minutes till they're just hot.
  4. Store extra skewers in a tightly closed container in your fridge for up to 4 days.

Essential Tools

  • Pastry brush
  • Tongs
  • Medium mixing bowl
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Baking sheet
  • Wooden skewers
  • Air fryer or grill

Allergen Information

Always verify ingredient labels for allergens and consult with a healthcare expert if unsure.
  • Heads up: contains eggs (from mayo) and maybe soy (that's sometimes in Sriracha or mayo).

Nutrition Info (Per Serving)

These details are best used as an estimate and shouldn't replace professional health advice.
  • Calories: 586
  • Fat Content: 49 g
  • Carbohydrates: 15 g
  • Protein: 19 g