Bang Bang Chicken Skewers for a Flavorful Weeknight Meal

Oh, sweet friends, isn’t there something truly magical about a dish that whispers comfort but shouts flavor? Today, we’re diving into the delightful world of bang bang chicken skewers, a recipe that brings together crispy textures, succulent chicken, and a sauce so wonderfully creamy and spicy, it dances on your tongue. It’s the kind of meal that feels special enough for a celebration, yet comes together with an ease that makes it perfect for any weeknight.

My journey with food often leads back to my grandmother’s kitchen, where every dish was made with immense love and a sprinkle of joy. While her specialty was always heartwarming desserts, I learned that the same dedication to quality ingredients and simple techniques can transform any meal into something memorable. This recipe reminds me of that spirit—taking humble ingredients and creating something truly extraordinary.

These amazing chicken skewers offer the perfect balance of indulgence and simplicity, making them an instant family favorite. They’re wonderfully adaptable, perfect for a quick dinner, and guaranteed to bring smiles all around. My top tip for making them truly spectacular is always to ensure your chicken is perfectly coated for that irresistible crunch!

What You Need to Make This Recipe

To create these delightful skewers, we’re calling on simple stars like tender chicken breasts, crispy panko breadcrumbs, and a creamy, spicy bang bang sauce that truly makes the dish sing. It’s all about layering those textures and flavors to make these amazing bang bang chicken skewers a memorable meal. You’ll find the complete list of ingredients and precise measurements in the recipe card below, ready for your kitchen adventure!

How to Make bang bang chicken skewers

Crafting these delightful bang bang chicken skewers is an absolute joy! You’ll begin by marinating the chicken to infuse it with incredible flavor, then prepare a simple, crispy coating. Each piece is lovingly coated before being air-fried or oven-baked to golden perfection. Finally, a luscious bang bang sauce is whisked together, ready to be drizzled generously over your perfectly cooked skewers. It’s a process that builds layers of taste and texture, promising a truly rewarding meal.

Crispy Air-Fried Bang Bang Chicken Skewers

These irresistible bang bang chicken skewers feature tender, marinated chicken pieces coated in a crispy panko crust, then air-fried or baked to golden perfection and drizzled with a creamy, spicy-sweet bang bang sauce. Perfect for a fun weeknight dinner or impressive appetizer!

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Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine: Asian Fusion

Calories: 480

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the Chicken & Marinade

• 1.5 lbs Chicken Breasts boneless, skinless, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 2 tbsp Soy Sauce light or low-sodium
• 1 tbsp Sesame Oil
• 1 tsp Ginger grated fresh
• 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
• 1/4 tsp Black Pepper

For the Coating

• 1/2 cup All-Purpose Flour
• 1/4 cup Cornstarch
• 2 large Eggs beaten
• 1.5 cups Panko Breadcrumbs
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 1/2 tsp Paprika
• 1/4 tsp Garlic Powder

For the Bang Bang Sauce

• 1/2 cup Mayonnaise full-fat
• 1/4 cup Sweet Chili Sauce
• 1-2 tbsp Sriracha adjust to taste
• 1 tbsp Honey or agave nectar
• 1 tsp Rice Vinegar

For Assembly & Garnish

• 12-15 pieces Bamboo Skewers 6-inch, soaked in water for at least 30 minutes
• as needed Cooking Spray for air fryer/baking
• 2 tbsp Green Onions chopped, for garnish
• 1 tsp Sesame Seeds toasted, for garnish

Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• Shallow Dishes
• Whisk
• Air Fryer (or Baking Sheet with Wire Rack)
• Tongs
• Bamboo Skewers (6-inch)

Method

 

Prepare the Chicken & Marinade

1. In a medium bowl, combine the cubed chicken with soy sauce, sesame oil, grated ginger, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, and black pepper. Toss to coat evenly.
2. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours, allowing the chicken to marinate. While chicken marinates, soak bamboo skewers in water.

Prepare the Coating

1. Set up a breading station with three shallow dishes.
2. In the first dish, combine all-purpose flour and cornstarch.
3. In the second dish, lightly beat the two large eggs.
4. In the third dish, combine panko breadcrumbs, salt, paprika, and 1/4 tsp garlic powder. Mix well.

Coat the Chicken

1. Working with a few pieces at a time, remove chicken from the marinade.
2. First, dredge each chicken piece in the flour mixture, shaking off excess.
3. Next, dip in the beaten egg, allowing excess to drip off.
4. Finally, coat thoroughly in the seasoned panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to ensure an even and firm coating. Place coated chicken on a clean plate or wire rack.

Skewer and Cook the Chicken (Air Fryer Method)

1. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
2. Thread 3-4 coated chicken pieces onto each soaked bamboo skewer. Do not overcrowd.
3. Lightly spray the chicken skewers with cooking spray.
4. Place skewers in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring not to overcrowd. You may need to cook in batches.
5. Air fry for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until chicken is golden brown, crispy, and cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F/74°C).

Skewer and Cook the Chicken (Oven Baked Method – Alternative)

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place a wire rack on top. Spray the wire rack lightly with cooking spray.
2. Thread 3-4 coated chicken pieces onto each soaked bamboo skewer.
3. Lightly spray the chicken skewers with cooking spray.
4. Place skewers on the prepared wire rack.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown, crispy, and cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F/74°C).

Make the Bang Bang Sauce

1. While chicken cooks, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha (start with 1 tbsp and add more if desired), honey, and rice vinegar in a small bowl until smooth. Taste and adjust sweetness or spice as needed.

Assemble and Serve

1. Once chicken skewers are cooked, transfer them to a serving platter.
2. Drizzle generously with the prepared bang bang sauce.
3. Garnish with chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds. Serve immediately.

Notes

For extra crispiness, ensure chicken pieces are not too large and are well-coated with panko. Soaking bamboo skewers prevents them from burning during cooking. These skewers are best served hot and fresh. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days, but the crispiness may diminish. Reheat in an air fryer or oven for best results. To make it a complete meal, serve with a side of steamed rice or a light salad.

Pro Tips for Making This bang bang chicken skewers

Creating these delicious bang bang chicken skewers is a delightful process, and I’ve gathered a few tried-and-true tips from my own kitchen to ensure your success.

First, take the time to really let your chicken marinate. Even 30 minutes can make a world of difference, allowing the soy sauce, ginger, and sesame oil to truly penetrate the chicken, resulting in incredibly flavorful skewers.

My Secret Trick: When coating the chicken, I always set up a simple breading station with three shallow bowls: one for flour, one for beaten eggs, and one for the panko mixture. This keeps things tidy and ensures every piece gets an even, glorious coating that guarantees maximum crispiness!

To achieve the best crispy texture, don’t overcrowd your air fryer basket or baking sheet. Giving each piece of chicken enough space allows the hot air to circulate properly, leading to that coveted golden-brown crunch. Work in batches if necessary, friends!

Finally, while the air fryer makes these bang bang chicken skewers exceptionally crispy, if you’re using an oven, make sure your baking sheet is preheated for a few minutes. This helps kickstart the crisping process from the bottom, giving you a wonderful texture similar to air-frying.

Fun Variations for bang bang chicken skewers

The beauty of these bang bang chicken skewers lies in their versatility, allowing you to sprinkle in your own creative flair! I love how a simple tweak can transform a dish, just like my friend Sarah always experiments with her cookie recipes.

Spice It Up!

If you adore a little extra heat, don’t hesitate to increase the Sriracha in your bang bang sauce, or even add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the chicken coating. My sister, who loves all things fiery, always asks me to double the heat for her portion of these delicious chicken skewers!

Sweet & Tangy Twist

For a slightly different flavor profile, consider adding a tablespoon of orange juice concentrate to the marinade or a squeeze of lime juice to the finished sauce. It brightens everything up beautifully and complements the rich flavors of the chicken.

Veggie Power

Why not turn this into a full meal on a stick? Before air-frying, thread colorful bell peppers, zucchini chunks, or even pineapple pieces onto the skewers alongside the chicken. They’ll cook beautifully and add a wonderful freshness to your bang bang chicken skewers.

What to Serve With bang bang chicken skewers

These delightful bang bang chicken skewers are incredibly versatile, and finding the perfect companions can make your meal truly special. My mom always believed that a balanced plate makes for a happy heart!

I love serving these flavorful skewers with a simple side of fluffy white rice, which perfectly soaks up any extra bang bang sauce. It’s a classic pairing that never disappoints. Another fantastic option is a crisp cucumber salad with a light vinaigrette; its cool freshness offers a wonderful contrast to the warm, spicy chicken. For a touch of green, a quick stir-fry of snap peas or steamed broccoli works beautifully. If I’m feeling extra playful, a sprinkle of fresh green onions and sesame seeds over the top adds a lovely pop of color and an extra layer of texture that enhances the overall experience of these bang bang chicken skewers.

How to Store bang bang chicken skewers

Keeping your leftover bang bang chicken skewers fresh and delicious is quite simple, ensuring you can enjoy that wonderful flavor again! Just like I always tell my readers about storing cakes, proper care makes all the difference.

Fridge Storage

Once cooled, place any leftover chicken skewers in an airtight container and refrigerate them for up to 3-4 days. I like to keep the chicken separate from any extra bang bang sauce if possible, to prevent the coating from getting soggy.

Reheating for Freshness

To bring your chicken back to its crispy glory, I always recommend reheating the bang bang chicken skewers in an air fryer or oven at about 350°F (175°C) for 5-8 minutes, or until thoroughly heated through and crisp again. This method helps restore that lovely crunch. A quick zap in the microwave works in a pinch, but you might lose some of that coveted crispiness!

Nutritional Benefits

While we always prioritize flavor and joy in our kitchen, it’s lovely to know that these bang bang chicken skewers offer some great benefits too! Packed with lean protein from the chicken, this dish provides a satisfying and energy-boosting meal. It’s a wonderful example of how we can create a treat that’s both satisfying and nourishing, proving that homemade deliciousness can truly have it all.

FAQs

Faq 1

Can I make the bang bang sauce ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the bang bang sauce up to 3-4 days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Just give it a good stir before serving your delightful chicken skewers.

Faq 2

What if I don’t have an air fryer?
No worries at all! The recipe includes instructions for oven-baking these delicious bang bang chicken skewers. They’ll still come out wonderfully crispy and golden, a perfect treat for any weeknight meal.

Faq 3

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes, absolutely! Chicken thighs would work beautifully for these skewers, offering an even juicier texture. Just ensure they are cut into uniform pieces for even cooking, creating equally delicious bang bang chicken skewers.

Faq 4

How can I make this dish gluten-free?
To make these bang bang chicken skewers gluten-free, use tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce, gluten-free all-purpose flour, and gluten-free panko breadcrumbs. Always check all ingredient labels carefully!

Conclusion

There you have it, sweet friends—a recipe for bang bang chicken skewers that promises to be a vibrant, flavorful star on your dinner table. It’s proof that with a little heart and a dash of creativity, even a weeknight meal can become a truly memorable occasion. So gather your ingredients, turn on your favorite kitchen tunes, and let’s create some joyful, home-baked memories together. Happy cooking!