Bang Bang Chicken Skewers

Bang Bang Chicken Skewers are tender, juicy chicken bites smothered in a sweet, spicy, homemade bang bang sauce. Enjoy them as a party appetizer or an entrée.

If you love the iconic bang bang sauce, then you have to try these Bang Bang Shrimp and Bang Bang Salmon Bites next, and don’t forget to try its close relative – Boom Boom Sauce and Boom Boom Shrimp.

Bang Bang Chicken is a dish inspired by the renowned bang bang shrimp. It’s a dish that came about at Bonefish Grill where fried shrimp is coated in a delicious sweet and spicy sauce. Now, I bring you bang bang chicken – but make it into kebabs! Skewered cubes of tender chicken breasts are coated with creamy, zesty bang bang sauce then baked until perfectly caramelized. 

It’s a mouthwatering balance of sweet and zesty and everyone loves a saucy dish with a spicy kick, just like my garlic parmesan chicken skewers.

This bang bang chicken skewers recipe is similar to what you’d find in an Asian fusion restaurant. Don’t confuse it with the tenderized, shredded chicken Chinese street dish of the same name. 

Why You’ll Love This Bang Bang Chicken Recipe

– Tasty Party Appetizer! Serve these on a platter and watch how quickly they disappear!

– Weather Proof! Skewers aren’t limited to summertime barbecues. If its cold, or rainy, this baked recipe is perfect; no grill required!

– So Versatile! This works as a snack or main course. You can swap chicken breasts for chicken thighs. Make the sauce more or less spicy. There are plenty of ways to customize this dish.

What is Bang Bang Sauce?

Bang bang sauce is a spicy, tangy mayo-based sauce. While the ingredients may vary based on the recipe, most versions include mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha. 

It’s most popularly prepared with shrimp but you can use it with a variety of veggies and proteins. You can also use it as a dipping sauce.

Bang Bang Chicken Skewers Ingredients

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

• Chicken Tenderloin: Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts.
• Seasoning: I use a bold spice medley of cajun seasoning, onion powder, ground ginger, salt and pepper to season the chicken.

Bang Bang Sauce

• Mayo: Use this as the creamy base of your sauce. It also adds moisture to the chicken and prevents the seasonings from burning in the oven. I like to use kewpie mayo but you can use whatever you have! 
• Sweet Thai chili sauce: This is more sweet than spicy. It also has a savory element that works well in this recipe. If you’ve never had thai sweet chili sauce, it kind of reminds me of sweet and sour sauce without all of the tangy flavor. 
• Sriracha: sriracha is a hot sauce made from chili peppers and vinegar. It’s slightly sweet at first and then hits you with spice. I love adding it to this sauce for a little spicy flavor that’s subtle but also slightly sweet, too.
• Soy sauce: Add this for a pop of mouthwatering umami flavor. 
• Honey: The natural sweetener adds a sticky, sweet quality and balances the heat.
• Garlic cloves: Add grated garlic for a savory, aromatic depth. 
• Sesame seeds: Add these for garnish (optional).
• Green onions: This garnish adds a mild onion flavor. 

Types of Skewers

The kind of skewers you use will alter prep work for this recipe a bit. 

• Wooden Skewers: This is the most popular choice for grilling or cooking kebabs. They’re cheap and disposable. 
• Bamboo Skewers: These are a type of wooden skewer. They’re eco-friendly and a bit more aesthetic. These are usually reserved for small bites. 
• Metal Skewers: Made from stainless steel, these are reusable and great for those who grill or roast often. They can withstand higher temperatures and work great with thick meats and veggies.

If you opt for either wood or bamboo skewers, you must pre-soak them in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent them from burning. 

Substitutions & Variations

• Chicken Thighs: Swap the chicken breast for boneless, skinless chicken thighs if you prefer dark meat over white. Just note that the cooking time will increase.
• Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Place the assembled chicken skewers in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are golden brown and cooked through.
• Grill: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Grill the assembled chicken skewers for 12-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are golden brown and cooked through. (Pro tip: If you love those deep char marks from the grill, you can also use a grill pan!)
• Spicy: This recipe is mildly spicy but you can add cayenne pepper or chili flakes to the sauce for extra heat.
• Add some fruit: add a few pineapple chunk to the skewers for a fruity spin. It pairs so well with the tangy flavors of the sauce.

Pro Tips 

• Cut the chicken into uniform pieces. Sure, it looks better but it also ensures the skewers cook evenly.
• Soak the skewers. Soak bamboo and wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes. This prevents them from burning as they cook.
• Baste generously. When applying the bang bang sauce to the chicken skewers, brush it on generously to ensure that every piece of chicken is coated evenly. This will result in a deliciously sticky glaze with flavor in each bite.
• This recipe makes about 6-8 skewers. If you want a larger portion, feel free to double the amount of everything for a delicious recipe the whole family will love.

How to Make Bang Bang Chicken Skewers

• Soak skewers for 30 minutes in water. (This is to prevent the skewers from burning. If using metal skewers, skip this step.)
• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Whisk together the bang bang sauce ingredients in a bowl. (Image 1)
• Cut chicken into cubes and place in a separate bowl. Add seasonings, kosher salt, and black pepper and toss to coat. Remove 1/3 cup of the bang bang sauce and add to the chicken pieces. Toss everything together and ensure all of the chicken is coated. (Image 2)

• Thread the chicken onto the skewers, leaving about 1 1/2 inches on each end. Place onto a wire rack on top of a baking sheet. (Image 3)

• Bake in the oven for 15-18 minutes, until golden brown and cooked thoroughly. The internal temperature of the chicken should be 165 degrees F when done.
• Brush again with some of the remaining sauce and then broil for 1-2 minutes. 
• Top with chopped green onions and sesame seeds.

What to Serve with Bang Bang Chicken

Serve bang bang chicken skewers restaurant style with a House Salad and chinese fried chicken wings. I also love this with spicy peanut noodles or chicken and shrimp fried rice.

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover chicken skewers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Reheat them in the air fryer or oven until warmed through. 

The sauce lasts just as long. Store it separately and brush the chicken before reheating to add moisture.

FAQ

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