What the heck is this?
These Bang Bang Chicken Skewers are exactly what your grill (or oven) has been missing—juicy marinated chicken threaded onto skewers, grilled to perfection, then drizzled or dunked in that irresistibly creamy, spicy-sweet Bang Bang sauce. If you’ve had Bang Bang Shrimp before, you already know the sauce is legendary. Now picture it coating tender, smoky chicken straight off the skewer—pure magic. These skewers are perfect as a party appetizer, a fun dinner, or even meal-prep lunch boxes for the week.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
The chicken is marinated for maximum flavor and grilled until charred and juicy. The Bang Bang sauce hits that perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and creamy. It’s super versatile—you can cook the skewers on the grill, stovetop, or even bake them. You only need a few pantry staples and under an hour to pull it off. It’s family-friendly, but you can crank up the heat if you’re into spice. Great for cookouts, game day snacks, or protein-packed meal prep with a little heat and zing.
The Good Stuff You’ll Need
For the chicken skewers:
• 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch chunks
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil (or olive oil)
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or lime juice
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger or fresh grated ginger
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• Wooden or metal skewers (soaked in water if wooden)
For the Bang Bang sauce:
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• ¼ cup sweet chili sauce
• 1–2 tablespoons sriracha (depending on how spicy you like it)
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon lime juice (optional, for a zesty kick)
To garnish (optional):
• Sliced green onions
• Toasted sesame seeds
• Fresh chopped cilantro
• Lime wedges for squeezing
Let’s Do This
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
In a large bowl or zip-top bag, combine the soy sauce, sesame oil, vinegar or lime juice, garlic, ginger, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken chunks and toss to coat evenly. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours if you’ve got time.
Step 2: Make the Bang Bang Sauce
While the chicken marinates, whisk together all the sauce ingredients in a bowl—mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and lime juice. Taste and adjust heat or sweetness to your liking. Set aside or refrigerate until serving.
Step 3: Skewer and Cook
Preheat your grill, grill pan, or oven broiler to medium-high heat. Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto skewers, leaving a little space between each piece for even cooking. Grill the skewers for 4–5 minutes per side, or until the chicken is cooked through and has a nice char. If using an oven, broil on high for about 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and fully cooked.
Step 4: Sauce It Up
Drizzle the Bang Bang sauce over the hot skewers just before serving, or serve the sauce on the side for dipping if you prefer. You can also brush the sauce onto the skewers during the last minute of grilling for a sticky glaze effect.
Serving Suggestions
Serve your Bang Bang Chicken Skewers over a bed of rice or quinoa with steamed broccoli or a crunchy slaw on the side. They also pair beautifully with lettuce wraps, as a filling in wraps or tacos, or chilled in lunch boxes with a side of cucumber salad. Want to make it a party platter? Stick the skewers in a pineapple half or stand them up in a cup with dipping sauce on the side.
Switch It Up
Use shrimp instead of chicken for a classic twist. Try Greek yogurt instead of mayo in the sauce for a lighter option. Add a little crushed red pepper or gochujang for more heat. Don’t want to skewer? Marinate whole chicken breasts or thighs, grill, and slice before saucing. Add a spoon of peanut butter to the sauce for a creamy, Thai-inspired twist.
Make-Ahead Tips
Marinate the chicken up to 24 hours in advance and store in the fridge. The sauce can be made 3–4 days ahead and stored in a sealed container in the fridge. You can also fully cook the skewers ahead of time and serve cold or gently reheated for easy lunches or meal prep.
Questions People Actually Ask
Q: Can I bake the chicken instead of grilling?
A: Yes—bake the skewers at 425°F for 15–20 minutes or broil on high for 10–12 minutes, flipping once, until golden and cooked through.
Q: What’s the best way to make this spicier?
A: Add more sriracha to the sauce, toss in some crushed red pepper, or mix in a spoonful of sambal oelek for a punch of heat.
Q: Can I make it dairy-free or low-carb?
A: Absolutely. The sauce is naturally dairy-free (just check your mayo brand), and the chicken itself is low-carb—just skip rice or use cauliflower rice to keep it keto-friendly.
Tasty Bang Bang Chicken Skewers: The Sweet, Spicy, Creamy Crowd-Pleaser You’ll Make on Repeat
- Total Time: 48 minute
- Yield: About 6 skewers
Description
These Bang Bang Chicken Skewers are exactly what your grill (or oven) has been missing—juicy marinated chicken threaded onto skewers, grilled to perfection, then drizzled or dunked in that irresistibly creamy, spicy-sweet Bang Bang sauce. If you’ve had Bang Bang Shrimp before, you already know the sauce is legendary. Now picture it coating tender, smoky chicken straight off the skewer—pure magic. These skewers are perfect as a party appetizer, a fun dinner, or even meal-prep lunch boxes for the week.
Ingredients
For the chicken skewers:
• 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch chunks
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil (or olive oil)
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or lime juice
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger or fresh grated ginger
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• Wooden or metal skewers (soaked in water if wooden)
For the Bang Bang sauce:
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• ¼ cup sweet chili sauce
• 1–2 tablespoons sriracha (depending on how spicy you like it)
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon lime juice (optional, for a zesty kick)
To garnish (optional):
• Sliced green onions
• Toasted sesame seeds
• Fresh chopped cilantro
• Lime wedges for squeezing
Instructions
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
In a large bowl or zip-top bag, combine the soy sauce, sesame oil, vinegar or lime juice, garlic, ginger, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken chunks and toss to coat evenly. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours if you’ve got time.
Step 2: Make the Bang Bang Sauce
While the chicken marinates, whisk together all the sauce ingredients in a bowl—mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and lime juice. Taste and adjust heat or sweetness to your liking. Set aside or refrigerate until serving.
Step 3: Skewer and Cook
Preheat your grill, grill pan, or oven broiler to medium-high heat. Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto skewers, leaving a little space between each piece for even cooking. Grill the skewers for 4–5 minutes per side, or until the chicken is cooked through and has a nice char. If using an oven, broil on high for about 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and fully cooked.
Step 4: Sauce It Up
Drizzle the Bang Bang sauce over the hot skewers just before serving, or serve the sauce on the side for dipping if you prefer. You can also brush the sauce onto the skewers during the last minute of grilling for a sticky glaze effect.
Notes
Serve your Bang Bang Chicken Skewers over a bed of rice or quinoa with steamed broccoli or a crunchy slaw on the side. They also pair beautifully with lettuce wraps, as a filling in wraps or tacos, or chilled in lunch boxes with a side of cucumber salad. Want to make it a party platter? Stick the skewers in a pineapple half or stand them up in a cup with dipping sauce on the side.
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 10–12 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: ~240 kcal Per Skewer
- Protein: ~24g Per Skewer