These Chipotle Bang Bang Chicken Skewers are coated with a chipotle-based seasoning and brushed with sweet and spicy homemade Bang Bang sauce before being air-fried to perfection. Then, I like to brush on more Bang Bang sauce before serving! No air fryer? No problem! These skewers can also be baked in the oven or grilled, so there’s no reason not to give them a try! Once you taste these chicken skewers, you will definitely want to check out my Bang Bang Chicken Tenders, fried up nice and crispy!
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Chicken: While I prefer chicken breasts for these skewers, chicken thighs work great, too. Just be sure to cut the chicken into evenly sized pieces so they cook evenly. Chicken is fully cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Seasonings: The chicken is coated with a flavorful blend of chipotle powder, garlic powder, kosher salt, black pepper, and a touch of lime juice and olive oil. The chipotle powder really shines in this recipe, giving the skewers that smoky kick!
- Bang Bang Sauce: For the most flavor in your Bang Bang sauce, make homemade sauce! It is made with only four ingredients–mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and honey! Easy peasy and so good on all your recipes that call for bang bang sauce. Plus, you can customize it to be as hot or mild as you prefer. Store-bought would also work if that is what you have on hand.
How To Use Wooden Or Metal Skewers In Chipotle Bang Bang Chicken Skewers
You can use both wooden and metal skewers to make these Bang Bang Chicken Skewers, even in the air fryer. If you use wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes to keep them from burning. For metal skewers, just make sure they fit in the air fryer basket. If the wooden skewers are too long, you can break them in half to make them fit!
Can You Assemble Chipotle Bang Bang Chicken Skewers Ahead Of Time?
Yes, you can prepare both the chicken skewers and Bang Bang sauce in advance. Once assembled (but before brushing with sauce), store the skewers in the refrigerator for 2-3 days, or freeze them for up to 3 months. To freeze, wrap the skewers tightly and thaw them overnight in the refrigerator before cooking. The Bang Bang sauce can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. When ready to cook, simply brush the skewers with Bang Bang sauce and follow the cooking instructions.
Can You Make Chipotle Bang Bang Chicken Without Skewers?
Yes, you can make these into bang-bang chicken bites if you don’t have skewers! Simply follow the same seasoning and cooking method but arrange the chicken pieces on a baking sheet, air fryer basket, or grill. If using the oven or the grill, cook the seasoned chicken first, then brush it with the Bang Bang sauce after cooking to avoid burning or drying out the sauce. Make sure to space the chicken evenly for proper cooking and turn it halfway through for even heat.
How To Store & Reheat Chipotle Bang Bang Chicken Skewers
To Store: Once the chicken skewers have cooled, keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. I like to remove the chicken from the skewers; they are delicious on a salad! Store the leftover bang bang sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
To Reheat: Reheat leftover chicken skewers in the oven (350°F), air fryer (350°F), microwave, or grill.
Chipotle Bang Bang Chicken Skewers
Ingredients
- wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes
Chicken
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon chipotle powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Bang Bang Sauce
- 1 ¼ cups (290 g) mayonnaise
- ⅔ cup (179 g) Thai sweet chili sauce
- 2 teaspoons Sriracha, or more to taste
- 2 tablespoons honey
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the cubed chicken breasts, oil, lime juice, chipotle powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Toss to evenly coat the chicken.
- Working one skewer at a time, thread 4-5 chicken cubes onto each.
- In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and honey. Mix well. This will make about 1 ¾ cups bang bang sauce.
- Pour half of the sauce into a separate bowl and set aside to use after the chicken has been cooked. Use the rest of the sauce to brush evenly over the chicken.
- Add the skewers to the basket of your air fryer in a single layer. (Depending on the size of the air fryer, you may have to work in batches.)
- Air fry* at 400°F for 11-12 minutes, flipping halfway. Chicken is fully cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Transfer the skewers to a plate and drizzle or brush with the reserved bang bang sauce. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place the seasoned cubes of chicken onto the skewers, then onto the lined baking sheet. (Do not brush the chicken with bang bang sauce until after baking in the oven.)
- Cook the chicken skewers for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Remove from the oven. Brush with the bang bang sauce and serve.
- Thread the seasoned chicken onto the skewers. (Wait until after grilling to brush with the bang bang sauce.)
- Grill over medium-high heat for 8-10 minutes per side, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Brush the grilled chicken with the bang bang sauce.
Did you make this recipe?
You can tag me at @iamhomesteader.
What the Test Kitchen had to say about this recipe:
Autumn
These chicken skewers are so full of flavor! They are a wonderful balance of heat and sweetness.
Elizabeth
I love chicken skewers, and they are so easy to make! I love these chipotle bang bang skewers, and they are even flavorful enough without brushing more bang bang sauce on them after they are cooked.
Annabelle
The chipotle powder makes them just enough different from our bang bang chicken skewers to stand out.
Bella
These skewers are amazing! The chipotle powder gives the chicken a nice smoky flavor, and the bang bang sauce ties it all together. I love the kick that they have.
Stephanie
So easy to put together and really packed full of flavor. I can't argue with a recipe like that!
