Easy Bang Bang Chicken Skewers for Weeknight Dinners

There’s a brunch spot in Brooklyn that makes the best bang bang chicken skewers. Add a side of fresh spring salad and the crunchiest fries — it’s one of my favorite orders. I wanted to recreate them at home, and even though I live in the city, I made these on my indoor grill. You can grill them outside or roast and broil them in the oven too.

It’s the perfect summer dinner idea, but also works for a weeknight. The bang bang sauce is so simple to mix up, and it’s so good.

Why I Love This Recipe

• It feels like takeout, but it’s easy to make at home.
• You can grill or roast the chicken — whatever works.
• The bang bang sauce takes less than 5 minutes to prepare

Prep First

• Cut the chicken into 1½-inch pieces.
• Soak wooden skewers in water for 20–30 minutes if using.
• Mince the garlic.
• Mix the dry seasonings with the garlic and olive oil.
• Stir together the bang bang sauce and divide it in half.
• Set out lime wedges and herbs for garnish.
• Preheat the grill, broiler, or oven.

Ingredients You’ll Need for the Best Bang Bang Chicken Skewers (With Subs)

• Boneless, skinless chicken thighs — or breasts if you prefer
• Olive oil — or avocado oil
• Fresh garlic — finely minced
• Onion powder
• Paprika — smoked or sweet
• Cayenne — optional, for extra heat
• Salt and black pepper
• Mayo — full-fat
• Thai sweet chili sauce — store-bought
• Sriracha — or another hot sauce
• Lime wedges — for serving
• Cilantro or scallions — for garnish
• Wooden or metal skewers

Step by Step Instructions

1. Cut the chicken into chunks and thread them onto skewers.
2. In a small bowl, mix together olive oil, minced garlic, onion powder, paprika, cayenne (if using), salt, and pepper.
3. Brush the skewered chicken with the seasoning mixture on all sides.
4. In a separate bowl, stir together the mayo, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha. Divide the sauce in half — one part for basting, the other for dipping.
5. Grill or bake the chicken skewers until about halfway cooked.
6. Start brushing the skewers with the basting half of the bang bang sauce. Keep turning and brushing until the chicken is golden and fully cooked.
7. Serve with the reserved sauce, lime wedges, and chopped herbs or scallions.

How I Like to Serve These Chicken Skewers

I serve the skewers right off the grill or pan, drizzled with the sauce or with a little bowl on the side. If I have greens, I’ll toss together a simple salad with lime juice and olive oil.

Fries are never a bad idea here — or rice, if you want to make it more of a full meal. These also make a great party snack if you cut the skewers smaller and set them out with toothpicks and sauce.

What to Serve With Bang Bang Chicken Skewers

Here’s what I like to serve with these bang bang chicken skewers:

• Cucumber feta salad with lemon greek vinaigrette, for something crunchy and fresh.
• 20-minute simple black bean pasta salad, if you want a side that’s light but filling.
• Pull-apart pepperoni and cheese garlic bread, especially good if you’re serving this for a casual get-together.

If You Like This Then You’ll Love

• Grilled chicken and cilantro-lime rice bowl, for another easy grilled chicken dinner.
• Street corn chicken rice bowl, if you want to keep the bold flavors going.
• Easy citrusy Cuban mojo chicken rice bowl, with marinated chicken and bright garlic-citrus sauce.

Let me know if you made these bang bang chicken skewers — or if you used the sauce on something else. I always love hearing how you make it your own.

Olga

Bang Bang Chicken Skewers

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These bang bang chicken skewers are easy to cook on the grill or in the oven and come with a quick homemade sauce made with mayo, sweet chili, and sriracha.

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Servings: 4 people

Course: Appetizer, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

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For the Chicken:

• 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1½-inch chunks
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• ¼ tsp cayenne optional
• 1½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• Wooden or metal skewers

For the Bang Bang Sauce:

• ½ cup mayo
• ¼ cup Thai sweet chili sauce
• 1 tbsp sriracha adjust to taste

For Serving:

• Lime wedges
• Chopped cilantro or sliced scallions

Equipment

• 1 Cutting Board
• 1 Sharp Knife
• 1 Mixing Bowls
• 1 Spoon or brush for basting
• 1 Grill or oven
• 1 Skewers
• 1 Measuring Spoons

Method

 

1. Prep: Soak wooden skewers in water for 20–30 minutes if using, then cut chicken into chunks and mince garlic.
2. Thread the chicken onto skewers, leaving a bit of space between each piece.
3. In a small bowl, mix olive oil, garlic, onion powder, paprika, cayenne (if using), salt, and black pepper.
4. Brush the seasoning mixture over the skewered chicken on all sides.
5. In a separate bowl, stir together the mayo, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha; divide the sauce in half.
6. Grill, bake at 425°F, or broil the chicken skewers for 7–8 minutes on one side.
7. Flip the skewers and begin brushing with the cooking half of the bang bang sauce.
8. Continue cooking another 7–10 minutes, brushing again once or twice, until golden and fully cooked through.
9. Serve hot with the reserved dipping sauce, lime wedges, and fresh herbs.

Notes

Helpful Tips

• Soak wooden skewers so they don’t burn during cooking.
• Keep the sauce split — only use clean sauce for serving.
• Space the chicken pieces slightly so they cook evenly.
• Broil for a minute or two at the end if you want a more caramelized finish.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!