I absolutely love how this Bang Bang Chicken Skewers with Creamy Thai Chili Sauce Recipe brings together bold flavors and simple prep for an unforgettable meal. It’s one of those dishes that feels fancy enough for guests but comes together quickly enough for a busy weeknight. The spicy, tangy sauce paired with juicy grilled chicken skewers just hits all the right notes, trust me.
When I first tried this recipe, I was amazed at how tender and flavorful the chicken turned out without any complicated marinating steps. You’ll find that the creamy Thai chili sauce really sets it apart, giving each bite a perfect balance of heat, sweetness, and tang. It’s great as a main course, appetizer, or even party finger food that everyone will rave about.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy Prep: The chicken cooks fast, making this perfect for busy evenings or last-minute guests.
- Flavor Explosion: The creamy Thai chili sauce adds a spicy-sweet kick you won’t get from ordinary grilled chicken.
- Versatile Cooking Methods: Whether you grill or air fry, you’ll nail juicy, tender chicken every time.
- Crowd-Pleaser: My family always asks for seconds, and guests love how easy it is to eat straight off the skewer.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients come together to create a rich, well-seasoned chicken paired perfectly with a creamy and spicy sauce. I find that using boneless, skinless thighs makes the chicken especially juicy, while the combination of sauces keeps it from being too heavy.
- Chicken thighs: I prefer thighs for their juiciness, but breasts work, too—just don’t overcook!
- Extra virgin olive oil: Adds a mild richness and helps the seasoning stick.
- Paprika: For smoky depth; smoked paprika works beautifully if you have it.
- Garlic powder: Infuses subtle savory notes throughout the chicken.
- Black pepper: Freshly ground makes a big difference for flavor brightness.
- Cayenne pepper: Adjust for your heat preference; it’s key for that kick.
- Salt: Essential, of course—brings out all the other flavors.
- Hot honey: Adds balance with sweetness and heat; regular honey works too if you want less spice.
- Mayonnaise: This is the base for the creamy sauce—don’t skip it!
- Fresh lime juice: Provides that fresh tang to cut through richness beautifully.
- Thai sweet chili sauce: The cornerstone for authentic sweet and spicy notes.
- Sriracha: Control the heat here; start with less and add more if you like it spicier.
Variations
I love how flexible this Bang Bang Chicken Skewers with Creamy Thai Chili Sauce Recipe is. You can tweak it to your family’s heat tolerance or swap out ingredients based on what’s in your pantry without losing that signature flavor.
- Mild Version: When my kids are around, I skip the cayenne and hot honey, and use less sriracha—still delicious but gentle on little palates.
- Spicy Boost: Sometimes I add extra sriracha or a pinch of chili flakes to really turn up the heat for spice lovers at the table.
- Protein Swap: Once I used boneless, skinless chicken breasts and it worked well; just watch the cooking time so they don’t dry out.
- Grilled Veggie Skewers: For a veggie option, tofu or hearty mushrooms pair nicely with this sauce and can be threaded on skewers alongside or instead of chicken.
How to Make Bang Bang Chicken Skewers with Creamy Thai Chili Sauce Recipe
Step 1: Season the Chicken
Start by cutting your chicken thighs into roughly 1-inch cubes—this size cooks quickly and evenly. Toss them in a large bowl with olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, cayenne, and salt. Make sure you coat every piece well; I like to use my hands for full coverage. This simple seasoning mix enhances the natural juiciness without overpowering the sauce later.
Step 2: Prepare the Bang Bang Sauce
While the chicken marinates briefly, combine the mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, fresh lime juice, and sriracha in a bowl. Stir this together until it’s smooth and creamy. I usually reserve about half of this sauce to brush on during cooking and save some for dipping, which creates that addictive layered flavor.
Step 3: Skewer and Cook the Chicken
Thread the chicken onto soaked wooden skewers, leaving a little bit of space between pieces to cook evenly. Then, brush a good layer of sauce on the skewers before cooking to start building that delicious glaze. If you’re grilling, cook over medium-high heat for about 15-20 minutes, turning often and brushing with sauce as it caramelizes—this is the magic moment! For air frying, arrange the skewers in a single layer and cook at 400°F for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway. The chicken is perfectly done when it reaches 165°F inside.
Step 4: Finish and Serve
Once the chicken is cooked, brush or drizzle it with the reserved sauce and a little hot honey if you like a touch of sweetness. Serve immediately while it’s warm and juicy—this is when that creamy sauce truly shines.
Pro Tips for Making Bang Bang Chicken Skewers with Creamy Thai Chili Sauce Recipe
- Soak Your Skewers: I always soak wooden skewers for at least 30 minutes to prevent them from burning on the grill—it truly saves the day!
- Don’t Overcrowd: Leaving space between chicken pieces on the skewer ensures even cooking and maximum caramelization.
- Brush Liberally: Keep applying the bang bang sauce while cooking so the chicken stays moist and builds layers of flavor.
- Use a Meat Thermometer: Avoid dry chicken by pulling it off the heat as soon as it hits 165°F internally—juicy chicken is happy chicken!
How to Serve Bang Bang Chicken Skewers with Creamy Thai Chili Sauce Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping these skewers with fresh chopped cilantro and a squeeze of lime—adds a refreshing brightness that cuts through the richness beautifully. A sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds also adds a lovely crunch and visual appeal that impresses guests every time.
Side Dishes
My go-to sides are jasmine rice or coconut rice, which soak up all that amazing sauce perfectly. I also like crisp cucumber salad or a simple cabbage slaw for some cool, crunchy contrast to the spicy chicken skewers.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, I’ve arranged the skewers standing upright in a shallow box filled with ice to keep them chilled before serving—super cute and practical. You can also place them over a bed of sticky rice or noodles to make a vibrant platter that’s as inviting to look at as it is to eat.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover skewers in an airtight container in the fridge and they keep well for up to 4 days. Just be sure to add any extra sauce separately to keep the chicken from getting soggy before reheating.
Freezing
I’ve frozen cooked chicken skewers a couple of times and they reheat surprisingly well. Just wrap them tightly in foil or plastic wrap, then a freezer bag. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating to keep them tender.
Reheating
To reheat, I pop the skewers in the air fryer at 350°F for about 3 minutes—that way they stay juicy and get a bit of crispness back. I avoid microwaving unless I’m in a rush since it can dry out the chicken.
FAQs
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Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs for this recipe?
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken breasts work fine, but be careful not to overcook them as breasts can dry out faster than thighs. Cutting them into even chunks and monitoring their internal temperature closely helps keep them juicy.
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How spicy is the Bang Bang Chicken Skewers with Creamy Thai Chili Sauce?
The recipe has a nice spicy kick from cayenne, sriracha, and hot honey, but you can adjust these based on your preference. For a milder version, simply reduce or omit the cayenne and use less sriracha or no hot honey.
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Can I make the sauce ahead of time?
Yes, the creamy Thai chili sauce can be made a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator. Just give it a good stir before serving, and add fresh lime juice just before serving for the brightest flavor.
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What is the best way to prevent skewers from burning on the grill?
Soaking wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes before grilling is key to preventing them from burning. Alternatively, use metal skewers that don’t burn and are reusable.
Final Thoughts
This Bang Bang Chicken Skewers with Creamy Thai Chili Sauce Recipe holds a special spot in my kitchen for how effortlessly it transforms simple chicken into a flavor-packed feast. I promise once you try it, you’ll keep this recipe in your regular rotation for any occasion—weeknight dinners, casual get-togethers, or even just a treat-yourself meal. Give it a go and enjoy all the compliments coming your way!
PrintBang Bang Chicken Skewers with Creamy Thai Chili Sauce Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Bang Bang Chicken Skewers feature juicy, tender chicken thighs marinated in a flavorful blend of spices and grilled or air fried to perfection. Coated generously with a creamy, tangy, and spicy Bang Bang sauce made from mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and fresh lime juice, these skewers deliver a delicious balance of heat, sweetness, and zest. Perfect as a shareable appetizer or main dish, this recipe includes options for grilling or air frying, making it versatile and easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Chicken and Seasonings
- 1 1/2–2 lbs chicken thighs, cubed into 1 inch pieces
- 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 Tbsp hot honey (optional)
Bang Bang Sauce
- 1 cup mayonnaise (add more if needed)
- 2 Tbsp fresh squeezed lime juice
- 2/3 cup Thai sweet chili sauce
- 1/4 cup Sriracha (adjust to heat preference)
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: In a large bowl, combine the cubed chicken thighs with olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and salt. Toss thoroughly to coat all pieces evenly with the seasoning mixture.
- Thread Skewers: Working one skewer at a time, thread the seasoned chicken pieces onto each skewer, filling about half to three-quarters of the skewer length.
- Make Bang Bang Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and fresh lime juice until smooth. This yields about 1.5 cups of sauce. Divide the sauce into two portions — pour half into a separate bowl for dipping and glazing after cooking.
- Coat Skewers: Place the skewers on a baking sheet and brush the remaining sauce evenly over the chicken pieces, making sure to coat between them for maximum flavor.
- Grill Method: Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Grill the chicken skewers for 15-20 minutes, turning often to ensure even cooking and caramelization. Use a meat thermometer to verify chicken reaches 165°F internally. Continue brushing the chicken with reserved sauce to build a flavorful glaze as it cooks.
- Air Fryer Method: Arrange skewers in a single layer in the air fryer basket (work in batches if necessary). Air fry at 400°F for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through. Confirm the chicken has reached 165°F internal temperature. Remove from air fryer and generously brush or drizzle with reserved Bang Bang sauce and a touch of hot honey if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts can be substituted for thighs.
- Hot honey adds a sweet and spicy nuance but regular honey can be used alternatively or omitted.
- For milder skewers, omit cayenne pepper, hot honey, and reduce Sriracha in the sauce.
- Soak wooden skewers in water while prepping to prevent burning on the grill or air fryer.
- Reheat leftover skewers in an air fryer at 350°F for 3 minutes or in a microwave briefly; avoid overheating to keep chicken tender.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup of chicken
- Calories: 586
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 1051mg
- Fat: 49g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 37g
- Trans Fat: 0.2g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 0.4g
- Protein: 19g
- Cholesterol: 127mg