Sweet Spicy Skewers

Featured in Artful Small Plates and Sharing Dishes.

Sweet and Spicy Chicken Skewers combine tender, flavorful chicken marinated with spices like garlic and paprika, then air-fried to perfection. The creamy homemade sauce with a hint of honey adds a delicious kick. Ready in less than 30 minutes, garnish with sesame seeds or fresh parsley for a fun and easy dinner option. Great as a low-carb meal or served with side dips for snacking.

Rana
Updated on Thu, 24 Apr 2025 18:45:15 GMT
Sweet and Spicy Chicken Skewers Pin it
Sweet and Spicy Chicken Skewers | flavorsenthusiasts.com

These Air Fryer Bang Bang Chicken Skewers turn ordinary chicken thighs into an irresistible dish packed with punchy flavors that won't keep you slaving away in the kitchen. The sauce hits that sweet-spicy spot perfectly, and you'll definitely want to make extra.

I stumbled onto this dish during a crazy busy week and now it's my go-to when I want to wow dinner guests without any fuss. After trying these at our backyard get-together last summer, my neighbor couldn't wait to get her hands on how I made them.

Ingredients

  • Boneless skinless chicken thighs: Chopped into 1 inch chunks give you juicier results than using breast meat
  • Olive oil: Locks seasonings onto the meat and gives you nice browning in the air fryer
  • Paprika: Brings a touch of smoky flavor and gorgeous color
  • Garlic powder: Adds taste without burning like fresh garlic might
  • Salt: Pulls out all the flavors and makes sure the chicken tastes good through and through
  • Black pepper: Adds a bit of warmth and depth
  • Mayonnaise: Forms the rich base of our bang bang sauce
  • Sweet chili sauce: Delivers that classic sweet-hot bang bang flavor
  • Hot sauce: Lets you dial the heat up or down how you want it
  • Honey: Cuts through the heat with a touch of sweetness

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the Chicken:
Slice your boneless skinless chicken thighs into even 1 inch cubes so they cook at the same rate. Too small and they'll dry out, too big and you might get raw centers.
Season Thoroughly:
Mix your chicken in a big bowl with the olive oil and all your spices, making sure every chunk gets a good coating. This builds your flavor base. Let it sit in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to soak up all that goodness.
Make the Bang Bang Sauce:
Stir together your mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, hot sauce, honey and salt until it's all smooth. You want it thick enough to stick to the chicken but still easy to pour. Keep some for dipping and use the rest for coating.
Skewer the Chicken:
Slide your seasoned chicken onto skewers with tiny spaces between pieces. These gaps let hot air flow all around, so everything cooks and browns evenly.
Initial Sauce Application:
Paint your chicken skewers with a good layer of bang bang sauce before they go in to cook. This first coat bakes right into the meat and sets up your flavor.
Air Fry to Perfection:
Get your air fryer hot at 400°F and lay the skewers in one layer without touching. Cook them for 12–15 minutes, turning halfway, until they hit 165°F inside and get those tasty browned edges.
Final Sauce Coating:
After cooking, brush more bang bang sauce all over the hot skewers. The warm chicken will heat the sauce just enough to make a sticky, delicious coating.
Serve Immediately:
Put them on a plate with extra sauce on the side for dipping. The hot skewers and cool sauce combo makes every bite amazing.
A plate of bang bang chicken skewers. Pin it
A plate of bang bang chicken skewers. | flavorsenthusiasts.com

I can't get enough of this bang bang sauce. I've started making double batches to dunk fresh veggies in and spread on sandwiches too. There's something special about how the sweet chili sauce mixes with creamy mayo. That flavor combo has become a standby in our house.

Make Ahead Options

You can totally prep these ahead of time. The chicken actually tastes better if you let it marinate for up to 24 hours. You can mix up the bang bang sauce and keep it in the fridge for nearly a week in a sealed container. If you want to cook them completely ahead, just warm them back up in the air fryer for 3–5 minutes at 350°F and they'll still be nice and juicy.

Perfect Pairings

These zesty chicken skewers go great with cooler side dishes. Try them next to a simple cucumber salad with rice vinegar and sesame oil. Want something more filling? Serve with fluffy jasmine rice or go with cauliflower rice if you're watching carbs. The sauce tastes amazing drizzled over any roasted veggies, but it's especially good with broccoli or Brussels sprouts.

A plate of chicken skewers with lime wedges. Pin it
A plate of chicken skewers with lime wedges. | flavorsenthusiasts.com

Origins and Adaptations

Bang bang sauce comes from Sichuan cooking, where they usually serve bang bang chicken cold with a sauce made from sesame. This newer take brings those flavors to a hot dish that really clicks with American taste buds. The mix of sweet, spicy and creamy has made this sauce super popular in western restaurants and home cooking, where people pair it with shrimp, chicken, or even just veggies.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What are the main ingredients in Bang Bang sauce?

This popular sauce blends creamy mayo, tangy sweet chili, spicy hot sauce, a touch of honey, and a pinch of salt for balance.

→ How do I know the chicken is fully cooked?

Check that the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) internally. A meat thermometer ensures you get it right every time.

→ Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Definitely! Just cut them evenly for consistent cooking and you're all set.

→ What if I don't have an air fryer?

No problem! You can bake or grill the skewers instead. Adjust cooking times and monitor the chicken's temperature.

→ Is it possible to make these keto-friendly?

Yes, just use sugar-free ingredients like keto-friendly hot sauce, mayonnaise, and sweet chili alternatives.

→ Can I prepare the sauce ahead of time?

You sure can! Whip it up and store it covered in the fridge for up to a week.

Sweet Spicy Skewers

Tender skewers drizzled with bold yet sweet sauce.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
15 Minutes
Total Time
25 Minutes
By: Rana


Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 6 Servings

Dietary: Low-Carb, Gluten-Free

Ingredients

01 1 tablespoon olive oil
02 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
03 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, chopped into 1-inch pieces
04 1 teaspoon garlic powder
05 1 teaspoon paprika
06 1 teaspoon salt

→ Bang Bang Sauce

07 1/2 cup sweet chili sauce
08 1 teaspoon salt
09 2 tablespoons honey
10 1 tablespoon hot sauce, adjust to taste
11 1 cup mayonnaise

Instructions

Step 01

Dice your boneless, skinless chicken thighs into small, even-sized chunks, about an inch each.

Step 02

Mix paprika, garlic powder, olive oil, salt, and pepper with the chicken in a big bowl. Stir everything together so the chicken is evenly coated. Let it chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to soak up the flavors.

Step 03

Stir together the mayonnaise, chili sauce, hot sauce, honey, and salt in another bowl until smooth. Put it aside for later.

Step 04

Slide the marinated chicken pieces onto skewers. Be sure to leave tiny gaps between them so they cook evenly.

Step 05

Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and give it a few minutes to warm up.

Step 06

Place the skewers in the basket in a single layer, keeping them from touching. Cook for about 12 to 15 minutes, flipping halfway through. Make sure the chicken hits 165°F (74°C) inside before removing.

Step 07

Brush a generous layer of Bang Bang sauce over the hot skewers to ramp up the flavor.

Step 08

Serve right away. Add fresh parsley or sesame seeds on top if you like, and keep some extra Bang Bang sauce nearby for dipping.

Notes

  1. For a keto-friendly version, swap in full-fat mayo, low-carb chili sauce, keto-approved hot sauce, and sugar-free honey.

Tools You'll Need

  • Skewers
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Air fryer

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Mayonnaise contains egg.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 456
  • Total Fat: 35 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 6 g
  • Protein: 23 g