Tired of the same old boring chicken dinners? I get it. You stare into the fridge, see a pack of chicken, and your soul just sighs. We’ve all been there.
What if I told you that you could make chicken that’s crispy, juicy, and coated in a creamy, sweet, and spicy sauce? And what if it was actually easy?
That’s where these Bang Bang Chicken Skewers come in. They look fancy, but they’re super simple to make. This recipe will turn your boring chicken into the star of the show.
Bang Bang Chicken Skewers
This recipe is all about big flavor without a big fuss. It’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or for impressing guests at a weekend barbecue.
| Prep Time | Cook Time | Total Time |
|---|---|---|
| 15 mins | 15 mins | 30 mins |
What You’ll Need
Here are the simple things you need to grab from the store. Nothing too weird or hard to find here.
For the Chicken:
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Wooden or metal skewers
For the Bang Bang Sauce:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup sweet chili sauce
- 1-2 tablespoons sriracha (more or less depending on your spice level)
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
Tools For The Job
You don’t need any fancy kitchen gadgets for this one.
- Mixing bowls (one for chicken, one for sauce)
- Whisk
- Skewers
- Grill, grill pan, or large skillet
How to Make Bang Bang Chicken Skewers
This is where the magic happens. Just follow these simple steps.
Step 1: If you’re using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes. This stops them from burning to a crisp.
Step 2: Cut your chicken breasts into bite-sized 1-inch cubes. Try to make them all about the same size so they cook evenly.
Step 3: In a medium bowl, toss the chicken cubes with cornstarch, soy sauce, garlic powder, and black pepper. Make sure every piece is coated.
Step 4: Thread the chicken pieces onto your skewers. Don’t pack them too tightly. Give them a little room to breathe and cook.
Step 5: While the chicken hangs out, let’s make the famous sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and rice vinegar until it’s smooth. Give it a taste and add more sriracha if you like it hot.
Step 6: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or on a grill pan over medium-high heat.
Step 7: Place the skewers on the hot pan. Cook for about 4-6 minutes on each side. You’re looking for a nice golden-brown color and for the chicken to be cooked through.
Step 8: Once the chicken is cooked, take the skewers off the heat. You can either drizzle the Bang Bang sauce over them or serve it on the side for dipping. Garnish with some chopped green onions or cilantro if you feel like it.
Pro Tips From My Kitchen
I’ve made this recipe more times than I can count. Here are a few tricks I’ve learned along the way.
- Don’t Crowd the Pan: If you put too many skewers in the pan at once, the chicken will steam instead of getting that nice crispy brown crust. Cook in batches if you need to.
- Pat Your Chicken Dry: Before you season it, use a paper towel to pat the chicken cubes dry. This helps the cornstarch stick better and gives you a crispier result.
- Sauce at the End: Don’t put the Bang Bang sauce on the chicken while it’s cooking. The mayo and sugar in the sauce will burn very quickly over high heat. Always add it after the chicken is cooked.
Substitutions and Variations
Don’t have something? No problem. Cooking should be flexible.
- Chicken Swap: This recipe is great with shrimp or even firm tofu for a vegetarian option. Just adjust the cooking time.
- Sauce Tweaks: Not a fan of mayo? Try using plain Greek yogurt for a tangier, lighter sauce.
- No Sriracha?: You can use any chili-garlic sauce or a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce instead.
What Goes With Bang Bang Chicken?
This chicken is the main event, but every star needs a supporting cast.
| Serving Suggestion | Why It Works |
|---|---|
| Coconut Rice | Soaks up the sauce |
| Simple Cucumber Salad | Cool and refreshing |
| Steamed Broccoli | Easy and healthy |
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftovers, storing them is easy.
Just pop the skewers into an airtight container. They’ll stay good in the fridge for up to 3 days.
To reheat, you can microwave them for a minute or two. Or, my favorite way, put them in an air fryer for a few minutes to get them crispy again.
Make-Ahead Tips
Want to get a head start? I don’t blame you.
You can make the Bang Bang sauce up to 3 days ahead of time. Just keep it in an airtight container in the fridge.
You can also cube the chicken and thread it onto the skewers the day before. Cover them and keep them in the fridge until you’re ready to cook.
FAQs
Here are some common questions I get about this recipe.
Q1. Can I bake these instead of pan-frying them?
Ans: Yes! Place the skewers on a baking sheet lined with foil. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is cooked.
Q2. Is this recipe kid-friendly?
Ans: It can be. The spice comes from the sriracha. Just reduce the amount or leave it out of the sauce entirely. You can serve the sriracha on the side for the adults.
Q3. My sauce seems too thick/thin. How can I fix it?
Ans: If it’s too thick, add a tiny bit of water or lime juice to thin it out. If it’s too thin, which is unlikely, you can add a little more mayonnaise.
Wrapping Up
See? That wasn’t so hard. You now have a recipe for amazing Bang Bang Chicken Skewers that will kick boring chicken to the curb.
Give it a try this week. I promise it will become a new favorite.
When you make it, drop a comment below and let me know how it turned out. I love hearing about your kitchen adventures
