Description
These Bang Bang Chicken Skewers are a quick and flavorful appetizer featuring marinated chicken thigh cubes coated in a creamy, spicy, and sweet Bang Bang sauce. Perfectly cooked in the air fryer to achieve juicy, tender chicken with a smoky char, it’s an easy recipe that delivers big on taste in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Bang Bang Sauce
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sweet chili sauce
- 1 tbsp hot sauce (or more to taste)
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp salt
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Cut the boneless, skinless chicken thighs into 1-inch cubes, making sure the pieces are uniform for even cooking.
- Season and Marinate: In a large bowl, combine the chicken cubes with olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Toss well to coat all pieces thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors penetrate.
- Make the Bang Bang Sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, hot sauce, honey, and salt until smooth and consistent. Adjust hot sauce quantity to suit your preferred spice level. Reserve some sauce for serving.
- Thread the Chicken: Skewer the marinated chicken cubes onto skewers, leaving small gaps between pieces to ensure even cooking. Avoid overcrowding the skewers.
- Brush with Sauce: Generously brush the chicken on the skewers with some of the prepared Bang Bang sauce to infuse extra flavor before cooking.
- Air Fry the Skewers: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Place the skewers in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, ensuring the pieces do not touch. Air fry for 12 to 15 minutes, flipping them halfway through cooking until the chicken is browned and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Finish with More Sauce: Once cooked, brush the skewers again with additional Bang Bang sauce for a glossy, flavorful finish.
- Serve: Serve the Bang Bang Chicken Skewers hot, garnished with freshly chopped parsley or sesame seeds if desired. Provide extra Bang Bang sauce on the side for dipping.
Notes
- Use chicken thighs instead of breasts for juicier and more flavorful skewers.
- Ensure the chicken pieces are uniform in size for even cooking in the air fryer.
- You can soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning during cooking.
- Adjust the hot sauce in the Bang Bang sauce according to your spice preference.
- Leftover Bang Bang sauce can be refrigerated for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
