Bang Bang Chicken Skewers are a quick, flavorful dish featuring juicy, seasoned chicken cubes brushed with a homemade bang bang sauce, then cooked to perfection in an air fryer. These skewers make a delicious appetizer or main course, and they can easily be prepared in the oven, too! Once you’ve tasted this signature sauce, you’ll want to try it on other dishes, like Bang Bang Salmon.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
- Chicken: For the best texture, use chicken breasts. However, chicken thighs are a great substitute. Aim for uniform cube sizes to ensure even cooking.
- Seasonings: Paprika, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper add depth to the chicken.
- Mayonnaise: Adds creaminess to the bang bang sauce. If you’re out, consider making a quick homemade batch.
- Sweet Chili Sauce: Thai sweet chili sauce provides a distinct sweetness and flavor essential to bang bang sauce. Homemade sauce works well if preferred.
- Sriracha: Brings a touch of heat; adjust the amount based on your spice preference.
- Honey: Balances flavors with a natural sweetness, offsetting the heat from Sriracha and tanginess of the chili sauce.
Wooden vs. Metal Skewers
Wooden and metal skewers both work well with this recipe, even in the air fryer. Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning. Ensure metal skewers fit the size of your air fryer basket. Break wooden skewers if they are too long to fit.
Can I Prepare Bang Bang Chicken Skewers in Advance?
Absolutely! You can assemble the chicken on skewers and prepare the bang bang sauce ahead of time. Once assembled, refrigerate the skewers for up to 2-3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to cook, thaw overnight in the refrigerator. The bang bang sauce can also be prepared in advance and stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
Storing & Reheating Bang Bang Chicken Skewers
Store leftover chicken skewers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat them in the oven, microwave, or on the stovetop. Leftover bang bang sauce can be refrigerated separately and brushed over the reheated chicken for added flavor.
Bang Bang Chicken Skewers
Ingredients
- 10-12 wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes
For the 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
For the Bang Bang Sauce:
- 1¼ cups mayonnaise
- ⅔ cup Thai sweet chili sauce
- 2 teaspoons Sriracha, or more to taste
- 2 tablespoons honey
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the cubed chicken breasts, olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. Toss to coat the chicken evenly.
- Working one skewer at a time, thread 4-5 chicken cubes onto each soaked skewer.
- In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and honey until smooth. Transfer half of the sauce to a separate bowl to reserve for serving; this will be used after the chicken is cooked.
- Use the remaining sauce to brush over the chicken skewers, coating them evenly.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
- Place the skewers in the air fryer basket in a single layer. (Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to work in batches.)
- Air fry at 400°F for 11-12 minutes, flipping halfway through. The chicken is fully cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Transfer the cooked skewers to a plate and brush or drizzle with the reserved bang bang sauce. Serve immediately.
This recipe is adapted from Iamhomesteader.com’s Bang Bang Chicken Skewers
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