Looking for a lively, crowd-pleasing dish that doesn’t waste your evening with hours in the kitchen? This Spicy Bang Bang Chicken Skewers Recipe hits all the right notes — a perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and creamy that’s ready in about 25 minutes. I’ll walk you through how to nail it every time.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
There’s just something about spicy bang bang sauce paired with juicy grilled chicken that gets me every time. It’s exciting but approachable, and great for any occasion from a casual dinner to a backyard gathering.
- Simple Ingredients: You probably already have most of these spices and sauces in your pantry.
- Quick Prep and Cook Time: From chopping to eating in under 30 minutes — perfect for busy weeknights.
- Versatile Flavor: The sweet heat combo works beautifully on the grill, in the oven, or even on the stove-top.
- Fun to Customize: You can easily adjust spice levels or swap ingredients to fit your mood and pantry.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Spicy Bang Bang Chicken Skewers Recipe plays a starring role, creating a harmony of flavor and texture that’s just irresistible. Here’s what you’ll want to pick up and why:
- Chicken Thighs: These stay juicy and tender under high heat — way better than chicken breast for skewers.
- Paprika: Adds a smoky undertone without overpowering the spice.
- Garlic Powder: Essential for that deep savory backbone every good marinade needs.
- Onion Powder: Gives a subtle sweet sharpness that plays well with the chili sauce.
- Black Pepper: Adds just the right amount of kick to balance sweetness.
- Sea Salt: Enhances all the flavors naturally.
- Honey: That touch of sweetness helps balance the heat from sriracha and chili sauce.
- Olive Oil: Keeps the chicken moist while grilling and helps the spices stick.
- Mayonnaise: The creamy base for the bang bang sauce that brings all the heat and sweetness together.
- Lemon Juice: Cuts through the richness, adding brightness and freshness.
- Sweet Thai Chili Sauce: The perfect mix of sweet and tangy that anchors the signature flavor.
- Sriracha Sauce: The bold heat that makes this recipe stand out without overpowering your taste buds.
Make It Your Way
I love tweaking the spice levels in this Spicy Bang Bang Chicken Skewers Recipe depending on my mood or who I’m cooking for. It’s all about making it suit your taste and pantry!
- Variation: When I want a lighter version, I swap half the mayo for Greek yogurt — still creamy but with less fat and a nice tang.
- Spice it Up: If you love heat, I sometimes add a pinch of cayenne or double the sriracha for a real kick.
- Make it Milder: For kids or sensitive palates, just reduce the sriracha and chili sauce by half; the honey keeps it balanced and tasty.
- Vegetarian Twist: You can try the sauce on grilled tofu or veggies like bell peppers and zucchini – trust me, it’s a winner!
Step-by-Step: How I Make Spicy Bang Bang Chicken Skewers Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Marinate the Chicken
Start by cutting your chicken thighs into 1-inch cubes. Toss them in a bowl with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, sea salt, honey, and olive oil. This mix sets the flavor foundation. Then, stir half of your bang bang sauce into the chicken and let it marinate for at least 10 minutes — or longer if you have time. I’ve found even a quick soak works wonders to get that flavor infusion.
Step 2: Skewer and Sauce
Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto your skewers — bamboo or metal works fine, but if you use bamboo, soak them in water for 30 minutes first to avoid burning. Brush the skewers with some of the leftover marinade sauce. This extra step seals in moisture and flavor during grilling.
Step 3: Grill to Perfection
Preheat your grill to high heat for a nice sear. Place the skewers over direct flame and grill for about 15-20 minutes, turning them every few minutes. Keep basting with that extra sauce from the marinade—this is what keeps the chicken tender and gives you those signature charred bits. Don’t rush — chicken thighs need to reach 165°F internal temp for safety and juiciness. Use a meat thermometer if you can.
Step 4: Serve with Dipping Sauce
Once grilled, plate your skewers and serve them with the reserved bang bang sauce on the side for dipping. The creamy, spicy sauce with that bite of lemon juice will have you reaching for more.
Top Tip
After making this recipe dozens of times, I've learned a few tricks that really elevate the Spicy Bang Bang Chicken Skewers, especially if you want foolproof deliciousness every single time.
- Marinate Time Matters: Even 10 minutes helps, but if you have an hour or two, the chicken soaks in more of that bang bang magic.
- Don’t Skip the Basting: It keeps the meat juicy and builds those layers of flavor on the grill.
- Use a Thermometer: It’s the best way to avoid overcooked (dry) or undercooked chicken — I swear by it.
- Rest the Skewers: Let them rest a couple minutes off the heat before serving so juices redistribute perfectly.
How to Serve Spicy Bang Bang Chicken Skewers Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping my skewers with thinly sliced green onions and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for crunch and freshness. A little fresh cilantro also brightens things up and adds a lovely herbal note that balances the heat beautifully.
Side Dishes
These skewers go great with a simple cucumber salad or sticky jasmine rice to soak up all that bang bang sauce. Sometimes I serve them with grilled pineapple or a crunchy Asian slaw to add a sweet and crunchy contrast.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, try serving these skewers on a large board with dipping bowls of the reserved sauce and some fresh lime wedges on the side. They also work wonderfully threaded onto colorful skewers, making everything look festive and inviting.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover chicken skewers tightly wrapped in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. It’s best to keep the sauce separate so you can refresh the flavor when reheating.
Freezing
If I want to prep ahead, I freeze the uncooked marinated chicken skewers (just raw chicken on skewers) in a single layer, wrapped tightly and stored in a freezer bag. They freeze well for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before grilling.
Reheating
To keep them juicy, I gently reheat leftovers in a skillet over medium heat, basting with a bit of reserved sauce or a splash of water. Microwaving works in a pinch, but the skillet method really preserves texture best.
Frequently Asked Questions:
You can use chicken breast but it tends to dry out faster on the grill. If you do, marinate longer and watch the cooking time closely to avoid toughness.
The balance of sweet Thai chili and sriracha gives a medium level of spice. You can easily adjust it by adding more or less sriracha according to your heat tolerance.
Yes! This recipe is naturally dairy-free as it uses mayonnaise, but be sure your mayo is dairy-free, and skip the Greek yogurt substitutions if you're avoiding dairy completely.
If you don’t have an outdoor grill, a grill pan on the stove over high heat works well. Just be sure to baste often and watch for flare-ups. You can also broil them in the oven for a similar effect.
Final Thoughts
This Spicy Bang Bang Chicken Skewers Recipe is one of those dishes I come back to again and again because it’s easy, flavorful, and always gets compliments. Whether it’s a quick weeknight meal or the star of your next cookout, it’s simple enough for anyone to master, yet exciting enough to impress. I promise, once you try it, it just might become your new go-to grilled favorite.
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Delicious Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
Description
Bang Bang Chicken Skewers are a flavorful and spicy grilled chicken dish coated in a creamy, tangy, and spicy sauce made from mayonnaise, sweet Thai chili sauce, and sriracha. Perfect as a main course for a casual meal, these skewers are juicy, tender, and packed with bold flavors.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1 ½ pound chicken thighs, cut in 1-inch cubes
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Sauce
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- juice of half a lemon
- ½ cup sweet Thai chili sauce
- ¼ cup sriracha sauce
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Cut the chicken thighs into 1-inch cubes and place them in a large bowl. Add paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, sea salt, honey, and olive oil to the bowl. Mix thoroughly to coat all the chicken pieces evenly with the spices and honey-oil mixture.
- Make the Sauce and Marinate: In a separate small bowl, combine mayonnaise, lemon juice, sweet Thai chili sauce, and sriracha sauce. Pour half of this sauce over the seasoned chicken in the bowl and toss well to coat. Reserve the remaining half of the sauce for serving.
- Skewer the Chicken: Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto skewers. Brush the chicken skewers with some of the leftover sauce from the marinade bowl. Set them aside while preparing to grill.
- Preheat the Grill: Preheat your grill to high heat for direct grilling. Make sure it is hot before placing the skewers on it to ensure good searing and grilling.
- Grill the Skewers: Place the chicken skewers over direct flame on the grill. Cook them for about 20 minutes, turning occasionally to ensure even cooking. During grilling, baste the chicken with the extra sauce from the marinade bowl several times. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165° F for safe eating.
- Serve: Once cooked through and nicely charred, remove the skewers from the grill and transfer to a serving plate. Serve immediately with the reserved bang bang sauce for dipping.
Notes
- For a lighter bang bang sauce, use reduced-fat mayonnaise or substitute half of the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt.
- Soaking wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes before grilling helps prevent them from burning.
- Chicken thighs are preferred for juiciness, but you can substitute chicken breast if desired, though it may be slightly drier.
- If you don’t have a grill, you can broil the skewers in the oven or cook them in a grill pan on the stovetop.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 23 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
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