15-Minute Chicken Skewers with Spicy Bang Bang Sauce Recipe
This 15 Minute Chicken Skewers recipe is a quick and flavorful meal featuring juicy, marinated chicken cubes air fried to perfection and coated in a delicious homemade bang bang sauce. Perfect for a fast weeknight dinner or entertaining guests, these skewers combine a smoky paprika seasoning with a sweet and spicy Thai-inspired sauce for a delightful taste experience.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American with Thai influence
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Marinade
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes
Bang Bang Sauce
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup Thai sweet chili sauce
- 1 teaspoon Sriracha (or more to taste)
- 1 tablespoon honey
- Parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken marinade: In a bowl, mix together the diced chicken, olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper until the chicken pieces are evenly coated with the marinade.
- Skewer the chicken: Thread 4-5 chicken cubes onto each soaked wooden skewer, one piece at a time, ensuring they are snug but not overcrowded. This helps even cooking and prevents skewers from burning during air frying.
- Make the bang bang sauce: In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and honey. Stir well until the sauce is smooth and fully blended, producing about 1 ¾ cups of bang bang sauce.
- Coat the chicken: Divide the sauce in half, placing one portion aside for serving later. Use the remaining half to brush generously over the chicken skewers to impart flavor before cooking.
- Preheat the air fryer: Turn on your air fryer and preheat it to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes. This ensures the skewers cook evenly and get a nice crisp exterior.
- Air fry the chicken skewers: Arrange the coated skewers in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook at 400°F for 12 to 15 minutes, flipping the skewers halfway through to ensure even cooking on all sides.
- Check for doneness: Make sure the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) using a meat thermometer, which is the safe cooking temperature for poultry.
- Serve: Once cooked, transfer the skewers to a plate. Brush them generously with the reserved bang bang sauce and sprinkle chopped parsley on top for a fresh, vibrant finish. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Soaking wooden skewers in water before use prevents them from burning during air frying.
- Adjust Sriracha quantity in the sauce according to your preferred heat level.
- Chicken cubes should be uniform in size for even cooking.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches the safe internal temperature of 165°F.
- These skewers can also be cooked on a grill or under a broiler if an air fryer is unavailable, though cooking times may vary.
Keywords: chicken skewers, air fryer chicken, bang bang sauce, quick chicken recipe, Thai chili chicken, smoky paprika chicken
