Sweet, Spicy, Juicy Grilled Chicken
These Bang Bang Chicken Skewers are an easy way to bring sweet, creamy, and gently spicy flavors to the dinner table in just 20 minutes. Tender chicken pieces are seasoned, threaded onto skewers, brushed with a quick homemade bang bang sauce, and grilled until juicy with lightly caramelized edges. They are perfect for busy weeknight dinners, summer cookouts, or casual party appetizers. Serve them with fluffy rice, crisp vegetables, or a fresh salad for a colorful meal that feels special without requiring complicated preparation. This easy chicken skewer recipe is simple, family-friendly, and wonderfully satisfying.
- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 10 mins
- Total: 20 mins
- Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup Thai sweet chili sauce
- 1 teaspoon Sriracha sauce
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-size cubes
- 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 4 large metal or wooden skewers
Kitchen Tools
- Outdoor grill or grill pan
- Knife and cutting board
- Measuring cups and spoons
- 2 mixing bowls
- Whisk or spatula
- Kitchen tongs
- Instant-read thermometer
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Make the sauce: Whisk the mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, and Sriracha together until smooth and creamy. Reserve a portion for serving if desired.
- Season the chicken: Add the chicken cubes to a separate bowl with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Toss until every piece is evenly coated.
- Prepare the grill: Preheat the grill to medium-high heat and lightly oil the grates to help prevent sticking.
- Assemble: Thread the seasoned chicken pieces evenly onto the skewers, leaving a tiny amount of space between pieces so they cook evenly.
- Grill: Brush the chicken generously with bang bang sauce. Grill for about 4 minutes, turn, brush again, and cook for another 4 minutes.
- Finish: Turn once more and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Serve hot with extra reserved sauce.
Pro Tips
- Storage: Refrigerate cooked chicken in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Wooden Skewers: Soak them in water for about 30 minutes before grilling to reduce scorching.
- Meal Prep: Cube and season the chicken several hours ahead, then assemble and grill when needed.
- Serving: Pair with steamed jasmine rice, cucumber salad, roasted vegetables, or crunchy slaw.
Why You’ll Love These Bang Bang Chicken Skewers
The appeal of these skewers comes from the contrast between juicy grilled chicken and the creamy sweet-spicy sauce. Thai sweet chili sauce adds gentle sweetness and a mild tang, while Sriracha provides just enough heat to keep every bite interesting. Mayonnaise rounds everything out with a smooth texture that clings beautifully to the chicken while it cooks.
Cutting the chicken into evenly sized cubes is one of the simplest ways to guarantee better results. Pieces that are similar in size cook at roughly the same speed, helping prevent smaller cubes from drying out before larger ones are fully cooked. Leave a small amount of room between pieces on the skewers so the grill heat can circulate around the chicken.
Chicken breast works especially well here because it cooks quickly and absorbs the garlic, paprika, and bang bang flavors without becoming too heavy. The light coating of olive oil helps the seasoning adhere while also encouraging gentle browning. For the juiciest texture, use an instant-read thermometer instead of relying only on cooking time and remove the chicken once it reaches 165°F.
This recipe also fits easily into a busy weeknight routine. Make the sauce first, season the chicken while the grill heats, and prepare rice or vegetables alongside it. Because the skewers cook in around 10 minutes, you can have a complete dinner ready quickly without juggling several complicated cooking techniques.
If grilling outdoors is not convenient, the skewers can also be prepared in an air fryer. Use skewers that comfortably fit inside the basket, arrange them in a single layer, and cook at 400°F until the chicken reaches 165°F, turning and brushing with sauce halfway through. This makes Bang Bang Chicken Skewers an easy year-round recipe, not just a summer favorite.
Variation Recipes
- Mild Bang Bang Chicken: Reduce the Sriracha or leave it out completely for a sweeter, kid-friendly version with plenty of creamy chili flavor.
- Air Fryer Bang Bang Skewers: Cook at 400°F for about 10 to 12 minutes, turning halfway through and checking that the chicken reaches 165°F.
- Bang Bang Chicken Bowls: Remove the grilled chicken from the skewers and serve it over rice with cucumber, shredded carrots, cabbage, and extra sauce.
Conclusion
Bang Bang Chicken Skewers combine quick preparation, juicy grilled chicken, and an irresistible creamy sweet-and-spicy sauce in one easy recipe. They work beautifully for weeknight dinners, warm-weather grilling, or simple party appetizers. Save this recipe for the next time you need a fast chicken dinner that looks colorful, tastes exciting, and requires very little cleanup.
Nutrition (Estimated)
| Serving | Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fat | Fiber | Sugar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 serving | 521 | 53g | 10g | 28g | 1g | 7g |
Disclaimer: Nutrition values are estimates and may vary depending on brands, ingredients, portion sizes, and cooking methods.