If you’re craving juicy, flavor-packed grilled chicken with a lively sweet-heat kick, you need to make Bang Bang Chicken Skewers. This vibrant Asian-inspired dish pairs tender chicken cubes with a zippy, creamy sauce that clings to each bite. Whether you fire up the grill for a backyard party or bake them for an easy weeknight dinner, Bang Bang Chicken Skewers are guaranteed to steal the show.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering your ingredients for Bang Bang Chicken Skewers couldn’t be simpler, but each one plays a crucial role in the final flavor festival. Here’s what you’ll need (and why) to make this recipe unforgettable:
- Chicken breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breast is the tender, lean canvas that soaks up every nuance of the marinade.
- Mayonnaise: Adds creamy richness, ensuring the marinade is velvety and that the sauce clings to the chicken with every savory bite.
- Sweet chili sauce: Brings a gorgeous pop of sweetness and tang, balancing out the spice while contributing a beautiful glaze.
- Sriracha sauce: Delivers just the right spark of garlicky heat; add more or less to suit your spicy side.
- Honey: Softens the heat and provides a lovely amber sheen on the finished skewers.
- Lime juice: Infuses everything with bright citrus notes that keep flavors crisp and lively.
- Vegetable oil: Prevents sticking and helps your chicken char beautifully on the grill.
- Garlic powder: Rounds out the marinade with an aromatic, savory depth.
- Salt and pepper: Seasonings that let all the other flavors shine.
- Chopped green onions: Fresh, grassy garnish that adds color and crunch.
- Sesame seeds: Tiny nutty sprinkles for perfectly Instagrammable skewers.
- Wooden or metal skewers: Essential for threading and grilling your marinated chicken bites.
How to Make Bang Bang Chicken Skewers
Step 1: Prep Your Skewers
If you’re using wooden skewers, give them a 30-minute soak in water. This prevents burning and splintering as they sizzle away on the grill, so don’t skip this anchor step—it sets you up for grilling success!
Step 2: Whisk Up the Bang Bang Sauce
In a medium bowl, combine mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, honey, lime juice, vegetable oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Give it all a good whisk until silky-smooth. This sauce is the magical bridge between creamy, zippy, sweet, and spicy, and it’ll serve double duty—marinade and finishing drizzle!
Step 3: Marinate the Chicken
Set aside about 1/3 cup of your sauce for drizzling later, then toss the chicken cubes with the rest in a large bowl or zip-top bag. Make sure every piece is coated and let it marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours if you have time. Bang Bang Chicken Skewers are all about depth of flavor, and this step locks it in.
Step 4: Thread and Grill
Preheat your grill to medium-high. Thread those marinated cubes onto your skewers, spacing the pieces just a touch so each side can bask in the heat. Grill for 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is tantalizingly golden and cooked through, with irresistible charred edges.
Step 5: Finish and Serve
Take the skewers off the heat, give them a generous drizzle of the reserved sauce, and shower with green onions and sesame seeds. Your Bang Bang Chicken Skewers are officially ready to dazzle!
How to Serve Bang Bang Chicken Skewers
Garnishes
Don’t underestimate the power of finishing touches. Scatter a handful of bright, freshly sliced green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds over the hot skewers. The freshness and mild oniony bite from the green onions, paired with the subtle toastiness of sesame seeds, ramp up both color and taste—plus, they make each skewer look restaurant-worthy.
Side Dishes
Bang Bang Chicken Skewers are wonderfully versatile. They shine alongside bowls of fluffy steamed jasmine rice, cool cucumber salad, or even a simple Asian-style slaw. For a heartier meal, try them with stir-fried veggies or a crisp green salad tossed in a light vinaigrette. Every bite plays off the spicy-sweet sauce.
Creative Ways to Present
Party-planner? Arrange Bang Bang Chicken Skewers on a big platter with lime wedges, extra drizzle of sauce, and pops of color from radish or shredded purple cabbage. For a fun twist, offer mini skewers as appetizers, paired with crunchy veggie sticks or tucked into lettuce cups for hand-held bites.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Bursting with flavor, any leftover Bang Bang Chicken Skewers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Be sure to keep extra sauce separate for drizzling later, so your chicken stays juicy rather than soggy.
Freezing
If you’d like to freeze the chicken, do so before grilling: marinate as directed, then lay the chicken pieces on a baking sheet to freeze individually before transferring to a freezer bag. They’ll keep well for up to two months. When ready to cook, defrost overnight in the fridge and thread onto skewers as usual.
Reheating
To revive leftover skewers, gently reheat them in a 325°F oven until warmed through, or give them a quick turn on a hot grill for a few minutes. Microwave works too—just go low and slow to avoid drying out your chicken.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs are a touch juicier and work beautifully here, especially if you prefer richer, more succulent meat in your Bang Bang Chicken Skewers.
Is this recipe spicy?
Bang Bang Chicken Skewers have a gentle heat from the Sriracha, balanced by honey and sweet chili sauce, but you can always adjust the spice level by adding more or less Sriracha to taste.
Can I bake these instead of grilling?
Definitely! Simply arrange the chicken skewers on a baking sheet and bake in a 400°F oven for 15–20 minutes, flipping halfway through until the chicken is golden and cooked through. It’s almost as delicious and great for rainy days.
What’s the best way to keep wooden skewers from burning?
Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes before grilling. This helps prevent them from burning or breaking while your Bang Bang Chicken Skewers cook to perfection.
Can the marinade be made ahead?
Yes, you can whisk together the marinade up to two days in advance. Keep it covered in the fridge, then marinate your chicken when you’re ready for grilling magic!
Final Thoughts
If you’re searching for a show-stopping yet stress-free recipe that delivers on flavor and fun, Bang Bang Chicken Skewers will become a staple in your kitchen. Fire up your grill, gather your favorite people, and get ready to wow everyone with this irresistible crowd-pleaser. I can’t wait for you to give these a try—let me know how they turn out!
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Bang Bang Chicken Skewers Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
These Bang Bang Chicken Skewers are a delightful combination of sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors that make for a perfect appetizer or main dish. Tender chicken pieces are marinated in a creamy, zesty sauce, grilled to perfection, and then drizzled with more of that irresistible sauce.
Ingredients
Chicken Skewers:
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch cubes
- Wooden or metal skewers
Bang Bang Sauce:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon Sriracha sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped green onions and sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- Prep Skewers: If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning.
- Make Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, Sriracha sauce, honey, lime juice, vegetable oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth. Reserve about 1/3 cup of the sauce for serving.
- Marinate Chicken: Place the chicken in a bag or bowl, pour the sauce over it, toss to coat, and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- Grill Skewers: Preheat grill, thread chicken onto skewers, grill for 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally.
- Finish: Drizzle with reserved sauce, garnish with green onions and sesame seeds before serving.
Notes
- Serve with steamed rice or a fresh salad.
- Adjust Sriracha for preferred heat level.
- Bake in a 400°F oven for 15-20 minutes as an alternative to grilling.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 skewers
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 560mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
