Description
These Bang Bang Chicken Skewers are juicy, flavorful chicken thighs marinated in a blend of spices and coated with a creamy, spicy Bang Bang sauce. Perfectly cooked in the air fryer for a crispy exterior and tender interior, they make a quick and delicious appetizer or main dish that’s both easy to prepare and packed with bold flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Bang Bang Sauce
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sweet chili sauce
- 1 tbsp hot sauce (or more to taste)
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp salt
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Cut the boneless, skinless chicken thighs into 1-inch cubes, ensuring the pieces are uniform to promote even cooking.
- Season and Marinate: In a large mixing bowl, combine the chicken cubes with olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Toss until the chicken is thoroughly coated. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to enhance the flavor.
- Make the Bang Bang Sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, hot sauce, honey, and salt until fully combined. Adjust the hot sauce according to your preferred spice level. Set aside some sauce for serving.
- Thread the Chicken: Skewer the marinated chicken cubes onto skewers, leaving a small gap between pieces for even cooking. Avoid overcrowding the skewers.
- Brush with Sauce: Generously brush the skewered chicken pieces with some of the prepared Bang Bang sauce before air frying for extra flavor.
- Air Fry the Skewers: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the skewers in a single layer in the basket, ensuring they do not touch. Air fry for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is browned and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Finish with More Sauce: Once cooked, brush the chicken skewers with additional Bang Bang sauce for a glossy, flavorful coating.
- Serve: Serve the Bang Bang Chicken Skewers hot, optionally garnished with freshly chopped parsley or sesame seeds. Provide extra Bang Bang sauce on the side for dipping.
Notes
- Use metal or soaked wooden skewers to prevent burning in the air fryer.
- Ensure chicken pieces are uniformly sized for even cooking.
- Adjust the heat level of the Bang Bang sauce by varying the amount of hot sauce.
- Leftover sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- For a gluten-free option, verify that the sweet chili sauce is gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
