Grilled Bang Bang Chicken Skewers
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Bang Bang Chicken Skewers are bursting with sweet and spicy flavors!! Simple chicken breast is coated in a dry rub and then marinated in bang bang sauce before it’s grilled for just about 10 minutes. Super easy to make for outdoor parties, you’re going to want to add this one to your backyard barbecue lineup!
Bang Bang Chicken Skewers
The first time I tasted bang bang sauce, I was instantly hooked: it’s creamy, rich, spicy, and sweet all at once!
Made with mayo, sour cream, sweet chili sauce, honey, and hot sauce, it should come as no surprise!
The first time I tried it it might have been at the Cheesecake Factory — I love their Bang Bang Shrimp!
Ever since, I’ve been dreaming of other ways to use it… and then it hit me. I could add it to chicken and make bang bang chicken skewers on the grill!
I’m so happy with how these came out! You guys know how much I love my kabobs, especially in the summertime.
Between my Hawaiian Grilled Shish Kabobs with Ham and Hawaiian Beef Kabobs, this chicken bacon ranch version, and now these bang bang chicken kabobs, there’s something for every occasion… and every taste bud!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Chicken Breast – I like boneless skinless chicken breasts for skewers as it’s super easy to cut into 1-inch pieces.
You could technically use any cut of chicken, but prepping ones with bones would be a lot more difficult! - Seasonings – I made a quick, flavorful seasoning mix to coat the chicken in before grilling.
You’ll need salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, dry mustard powder, onion powder, and ground black pepper.
The beauty of this bang bang chicken skewers recipe is that you can easily play around with the spice levels!
For a spicy kick, add some chili powder or crushed red pepper flakes to your dry rub. Otherwise, it’s pretty mild. - Bang Bang Sauce – Skip the store-bought stuff and make some bang bang sauce yourself!
It comes together with mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sour cream, honey, and hot sauce.
Just like with the dry rub, you can feel free to adjust the flavors. I like Frank’s Hot Sauce, but you can use your favorite. And if you like a sweeter sauce, add more honey!
Tips and Tricks to Make Perfect Bang Bang Chicken Kabobs
- Soak the skewers before getting started.
This is crucial if you plan on using wooden skewers!
Soaking helps prevent them from catching on fire on the grill, and it also keeps them from breaking apart as your bang bang chicken kabobs cool.
Leave them in water for at least 30 minutes. Alternatively, use metal skewers instead!
- Add the dry rub and bang bang sauce before grilling.
Start with the dry rub — make sure to toss with clean hands or use a spoon to ensure that everything is well coated.
Then, add about ¼ cup of the bang bang sauce to a small bowl, and use a brush to apply it to the chicken.
Make sure to let it marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours for the best taste.
We’re adding double the flavor to the chicken before it even hits the grill!
- Take the time to preheat your grill.
It’s important to preheat the grill to around 400°F-425°F before you add the bang bang chicken skewers.
This ensures nice and even cooking — and helps you get those gorgeous grill marks!
- Use a meat thermometer to check if the chicken is ready.
Chicken needs to hit an internal temperature of at least 165°F to be safe to eat. The easiest way to determine whether it’s done is to use a food-safe meat thermometer!
Be sure to insert it into the thickest part of one of the chicken pieces for the most accurate results.
Prep Ahead
- Soak the skewers
- Make the bang bang sauce
- Season and marinate the chicken
- Preheat the grill to 400°F-425°F
Kitchen Tools You Will Need
- Quality Knives and a big solid Cutting Board make prepping a breeze and are well worth the investment.
- Mixing Bowls – I like to have a variety of sizes on hand, and this set has them all.
- Outdoor or Countertop Grill
Serving Suggestions
Serve your bang bang chicken kabobs with the extra bang bang sauce! I usually pair them with a nice big garden salad and some rice.
This cucumber salad is also a nice accompaniment, or this yummy Summer Slaw!
These would also make an excellent (and unique!) addition to your next backyard barbecue!
Leftovers taste great in wraps, tacos, and salads too.
Storing, Freezing, and Reheating
When your bang bang chicken skewers are completely cool, place them in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll keep for up to 4 days.
To reheat, I like to use my trusty air fryer! Set it to 300°F and air fry the kabobs for 4-5 minutes, or until warmed through.
You can also freeze this bang bang chicken skewers recipe.
Once they’re cool, wrap them tightly in several layers of plastic wrap — you may want to wrap only a few together at a time for easy portions.
When properly stored, these will keep for up to 2-3 months in the freezer! Let them thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Bang Bang Chicken Skewers Recipe FAQ
Bang bang sauce was created by the restaurant chain Bonefish Grill. The sauce is a creamy blend of mayo, Sriracha, sweet chili sauce, and vinegar — and it’s always served with the restaurant’s famous Bang Bang Shrimp dish!
Over time, different versions of the sauce have come out, but I’ll always love the original.
Absolutely! My homemade sauce will keep for up to 1 week in the fridge, so feel free to make it and save it for later.
If you don’t have a grill, you can bake these bang bang chicken kabobs in the oven instead.
Preheat the oven to 400°F, and place the skewers on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 15-20 minutes, making sure to flip halfway through.
You won’t get the same grill marks or charred flavor, but it will still be delicious!
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Grilled Bang Bang Chicken Skewers
Ingredients
Bang Bang Sauce:
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sweet chili sauce
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 teaspoons hot sauce, I used Frank sauce
Chicken:
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, 1 1/2 pounds cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- PREPARE THE SKEWERS: Before starting if you are using wood skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes.
- PREPARE BANG BANG SAUCE: Combine the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sour cream, honey, and hot sauce in a small bowl. Mix until all ingredients are combined.
- Place in the refrigerator until ready to use.
- PREPARE THE CHICKEN: In a large mixing bowl, add the chicken pieces and sprinkle with salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, dry mustard, onion powder, and ground black pepper.
- Toss with clean hands or a spoon until all pieces are coated with the seasoning.
- Place 6 pieces of chicken on each skewer.
- Pour 1/4 cup of the Bang Bang sauce into a separate bowl. This is important as we will brush the sauce on the chicken. Therefore the brush will be contaminated from the raw chicken and we want to use some of the sauce for dipping once the chicken is cooked.
- Brush all sides of the chicken with the Bang Bang sauce. Place the chicken in the refrigerator until you are ready to cook. 30 minutes to 2 hours. If you leave them in the fridge overnight I would suggest covering the plate with a plastic wrap.
- GRILL THE CHICKEN: Preheat the grill to 400-425 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Place the skewers on the grill and cook for 4 minutes. Flip the skewers and cook for an additional 4 minutes.
- If the chicken is still a bit pink or doesn’t have an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook for another 2-4 minutes depending on the size of the chicken pieces.
- Remove the skewers from the grill. Serve and enjoy!
Donna’s Notes
Have fun with the recipe: This is a great recipe for someone who likes mild spicy food. If you want to have an even spicier flavor, add some chili powder to the dry rub on the chicken and/or red pepper flakes to the sauce. If you would like the sauce to be sweeter add more honey
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published July 2024
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Absolutely delicious! This recipe is a keeper.