Bang Bang Chicken Skewers

Bang Bang Chicken Skewers are tender grilled chicken pieces coated in a creamy, sweet, and spicy sauce that’ll have everyone coming back for seconds. I first made these for a backyard BBQ, and they disappeared faster than anything else on the table. The combination of juicy chicken with that irresistible bang bang sauce creates the perfect balance of heat and sweetness.

These skewers have become my go-to recipe whenever I’m grilling. The sauce caramelizes slightly on the grill, creating those beautiful charred edges while keeping the chicken incredibly moist inside. Whether you’re hosting a summer cookout, prepping meals for the week, or just want an easy weeknight dinner with serious flavor, these bang bang chicken skewers deliver every time. You can easily adjust the spice level to suit your taste, making them perfect for feeding a crowd with different heat preferences.

What You’ll Need for Perfect Bang Bang Chicken Skewers

Before you fire up the grill, let me share what I’ve learned makes the biggest difference in these skewers. I always use chicken thighs when I can because they stay juicier than breasts, but both work beautifully. Pro tip: cutting your chicken into uniform 1 to 1.5-inch pieces ensures everything cooks evenly.

For the Chicken Skewers:

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1 to 1.5-inch chunks
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (optional but recommended for extra flavor)
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, adds a nice depth)
• 8-10 skewers (wooden or metal; if using wooden, soak in water for 30 minutes)

For the Bang Bang Sauce:

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise (or use 1/4 cup mayo plus 1/4 cup Greek yogurt for a lighter version)
• 2 tablespoons sriracha (start with less if you’re sensitive to heat)
• 1 tablespoon honey or sugar
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or lime juice

Optional Garnishes:

• 1 tablespoon chopped green onions
• 1 teaspoon sesame seeds

My personal note: I prefer using rice vinegar in the sauce because it adds a subtle tanginess that balances the richness of the mayo perfectly. If you’re making these for kids or heat-sensitive guests, start with just 1 tablespoon of sriracha and let people add more to their own servings.

How to Make Bang Bang Chicken Skewers Step by Step

I recommend having all your ingredients prepped before you start grilling. This makes the process so much smoother, especially when you’re juggling multiple skewers on the grill.

Step 1: Prep the Chicken Cut your chicken into 1 to 1.5-inch chunks, keeping them as uniform as possible. Pat the pieces completely dry with paper towels (this helps them get those beautiful grill marks). Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika, then toss everything with the olive oil until each piece is lightly coated. This should take about 5 minutes.

Step 2: Make the Sauce In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sriracha, honey, and rice vinegar until the mixture is completely smooth with no lumps. This makes about 3/4 cup of sauce, which is enough for brushing and serving extra on the side. Taste it and adjust the spiciness or sweetness to your preference. The sauce should have a vibrant peachy-pink color and a creamy consistency. I always make this first so the flavors have time to meld while I’m preparing everything else.

Step 3: Assemble the Skewers If using wooden skewers that you’ve soaked for 30 minutes, pat them dry before threading. Thread the chicken pieces onto your skewers, leaving a small gap between each piece so the heat can circulate evenly. Don’t pack them too tightly or they won’t cook through properly. If you’re using vegetables, alternate them with the chicken for a beautiful presentation. Pro tip: Leave about 2 inches at each end of the skewer empty for easy handling.

Step 4: Grill the Chicken Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (around 400-450°F). Use a grill thermometer to verify the temperature. Oil the grates lightly to prevent sticking. Place your bang bang chicken skewers on the grill and cook for 10-12 minutes total, turning every 3-4 minutes to get even charring on all sides. You’re looking for a gorgeous golden color with some charred edges. The internal temperature must reach 165°F when checked with an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the largest chicken piece. Watch carefully during the last few minutes as the chicken can go from perfectly juicy to dry very quickly. The chicken should feel firm to the touch and the juices should run clear.

Step 5: Add the Sauce You have two sauce options here. For caramelized flavor, brush sauce on during the last 2 minutes of grilling, but watch closely to prevent burning. For more control and a creamier finish, remove skewers from the grill first, then drizzle sauce generously over top. I prefer the second method when serving crowds because it’s easier to control how much sauce each person gets.

Step 6: Serve Immediately Let the skewers rest for 2-3 minutes to retain their juices. Transfer to a serving platter and garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds if desired. Serve any remaining sauce on the side for dipping. These bang bang chicken skewers are best enjoyed hot off the grill when the chicken is at its juiciest and the sauce is warm and glossy.

Best Sides to Serve with Bang Bang Chicken Skewers

These skewers pair beautifully with dishes that balance their rich, spicy-sweet flavor profile.

Steamed Jasmine Rice: The fluffy, slightly fragrant rice soaks up the extra bang bang sauce perfectly and provides a neutral base that lets the chicken shine. Coconut rice is also excellent for a tropical twist that complements the Asian-inspired flavors.

Grilled Vegetables: Zucchini, bell peppers, and red onions get those same gorgeous char marks and add a healthy, colorful element to your plate. The slight bitterness from the char balances the sweetness of the sauce beautifully.

Asian Cabbage Slaw: A crisp, tangy slaw with a sesame-ginger dressing adds crunch and freshness that cuts through the richness of the mayo-based sauce. This is my favorite pairing for summer cookouts.

Cucumber Salad: Cool, refreshing cucumber with rice vinegar and a touch of sugar provides the perfect temperature and texture contrast to hot, spicy grilled chicken. It’s also incredibly light and helps cool your palate between bites.

Grilled Corn on the Cob: Brushed with butter and sprinkled with a bit of chili powder, grilled corn adds a sweet, smoky element that’s perfect for bang bang chicken skewers at any BBQ party.

More Grilled Chicken Recipes to Try

These bang bang chicken skewers pair wonderfully with other flavorful chicken dishes that bring excitement to your dinner table. For another crowd-pleasing grilled option, try the zesty Honey Lime Chicken Avocado Rice Stack which offers a similar sweet and tangy flavor profile that complements the spicy bang bang sauce beautifully.

When planning your next cookout or meal prep session, consider serving these skewers alongside Grilled Chicken Broccoli Bowls for a complete meal with healthy vegetables, or the impressive Hot Honey Feta Chicken for guests who enjoy bold, sweet-heat combinations. For a lighter option with Asian-inspired flavors similar to bang bang sauce, the Sticky Garlic Chicken Noodles delivers that same irresistible sticky-sweet coating everyone loves.

How to Store and Reheat Your Bang Bang Chicken Skewers

Store leftover bang bang chicken skewers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I recommend storing the chicken and any extra sauce separately to prevent the chicken from getting soggy. Chicken quality decreases faster if stored with sauce already applied, so for best results, always store them separately. The sauce will keep in the fridge for up to 1 week in a sealed container.

When reheating, the key is being gentle to avoid drying out the chicken. I prefer using the microwave on 50% power in 30-second intervals, or you can reheat in a 300°F oven for about 10 minutes. Adding a tiny splash of water or chicken broth and covering the container helps keep everything moist.

Pro tip: These bang bang chicken skewers are fantastic for meal prep. I often assemble the skewers a few hours in advance and keep them refrigerated until I’m ready to grill. You can even marinate the chicken in a portion of the sauce for 30 minutes before threading onto skewers for even more intense flavor throughout.

Common Questions About Bang Bang Chicken Skewers

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