Description
Home cooks discover bang bang chicken skewers as a spicy, crispy delight from Chinese street cuisine. Tangy sauce and grilled chicken create an irresistible combination that keeps diners coming back for more.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 to 2 lbs (680 to 907 g) chicken thighs, cubed into 1-inch pieces
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 0.5 tsp cayenne pepper
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 2 tbsps hot honey (optional)
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsps fresh-squeezed lime juice
- 0.67 cup Thai sweet chili sauce
- 0.25 cup Sriracha (adjust to taste)
Instructions
- Marination: Thoroughly coat chicken thighs with olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and salt, ensuring each piece is fully embraced by the spice blend.
- Skewering and Sauce Preparation: Thread seasoned chicken onto skewers with slight spacing, then whisk mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and lime juice into a smooth, vibrant bang bang sauce; divide sauce into cooking and finishing portions.
- Grilling Method: Preheat grill to medium-high heat, brush skewers with initial sauce portion, and cook for 15-20 minutes, rotating frequently to achieve caramelized edges and confirm internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Air Fryer Alternative: Position skewers in air fryer basket, cook at 400°F for 10-12 minutes, turning midway to ensure even browning and thorough cooking.
- Finishing and Serving: Generously brush cooked skewers with reserved sauce, optionally drizzle with hot honey for enhanced flavor complexity, and present immediately with remaining bang bang sauce for dipping.
Notes
- Marinate for Maximum Flavor: Allow chicken to sit in spices for at least 30 minutes or overnight to enhance depth and tenderness of the meat.
- Skewer Spacing Matters: Leave small gaps between chicken pieces to ensure even heat distribution and prevent uneven cooking.
- Sauce Separation Strategy: Divide bang bang sauce before cooking to avoid cross-contamination and maintain food safety standards.
- Temperature is Key: Use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches 165°F internally, guaranteeing safe and perfectly cooked protein.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 556
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 1022 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 34 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 31 g
- Cholesterol: 142 mg