These Firecracker Chicken Skewers are juicy, seasoned chicken cubes coated in spicy homemade firecracker sauce, air-fried to perfection, then brushed with more sauce! I finish them with parsley and red pepper flakes for an extra kick. Looking for something quick, easy, and packed with heat? These skewers are a must-try! No air fryer? No problem! You can bake them in the oven or fire up the grill! These Firecracker Chicken Skewers are just the beginning if you love bold, spicy flavors! For another ‘winner winner, chicken kebab dinner’, try my super popular Bang Bang Chicken Skewers—sweet, spicy, and just as easy to make!
What Is Firecracker Sauce?
Firecracker sauce is a spicy, tangy, and slightly sweet sauce that gives these chicken skewers a bold kick of flavor. It’s made with buffalo sauce (not hot sauce), along with other ingredients to balance the heat. When you make your own, you can adjust the spice level to make it as mild or as fiery as you like! This sauce isn’t just for chicken (although you will want to check out my Firecracker Chicken, too, made with chicken thighs)—it’s also great on shrimp, meatballs, or even roasted vegetables.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Chicken: I used chicken breasts for these skewers, but chicken thighs would be delicious, too! Just make sure the chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Seasonings: The cubed chicken is seasoned with a simple yet flavorful blend of olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. I love how it adds a smoky, garlicky depth of flavor.
- Firecracker Sauce: The star of these skewers is the homemade firecracker sauce! I love making my own to control the heat level. It’s made with buffalo sauce (not hot sauce), which you can also customize to your spice preference! But, store-bought firecracker sauce would work, too.
- Red Pepper Flakes: Red pepper flakes or crushed red pepper can add even more heat to the chicken skewers! I like to offer it for those who want it, but the skewers have a good kick to them as-is.
Wooden vs. Metal Skewers
You can use either wooden or metal skewers to make these chicken skewers, even in the air fryer! If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes so they don’t burn. (If they’re too long for your air fryer basket, just break them to fit.) Metal skewers don’t need soaking, but be sure they fit in the basket before cooking.
How Spicy Are Firecracker Chicken Skewers?
These Firecracker Chicken Skewers have a kick, but I think the heat is well-balanced and full of flavor. (Of course, the spice level is subjective!) I don’t always love super spicy foods, and if I can handle these, you probably can, too! If they are not hot enough for you, add some crushed red pepper flakes! Those can really add some heat.
Can I Marinate The Chicken In Firecracker Sauce?
Yes, you can marinate the chicken in firecracker sauce! But, since the sauce has vinegar, marinating too long (more than 2 hours) can make the chicken mushy. For the best flavor, marinate for 30 minutes to 1 hour, then brush on more sauce after cooking for extra flavor! But, don’t worry–I made the chicken without marinating and it was still amazing!
What To Pair With Firecracker Chicken Skewers
Firecracker chicken skewers go great with a variety of sides! You could serve them with rice (I love them with fried rice), roasted vegetables like roasted Brussels sprouts, a fresh salad, or even some crispy french fries. For extra flavor, try pairing them with a cool dipping sauce like ranch dressing or blue cheese.
How To Store & Reheat Firecracker Chicken Skewers
To store Firecracker Chicken Skewers, first, let them cool down. Then, place them in an airtight container. Keep them in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, you can warm them in the microwave or air fryer until heated through.
Firecracker Chicken Skewers
Ingredients
- wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 recipe firecracker sauce, or 1 cup store-bought
- crushed red pepper, for garnish
- parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the cubed chicken, oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat the chicken evenly.
- Thread 4-5 chicken cubes onto each soaked wooden skewer. (I made 10 chicken skewers.)
- Reserve half of the firecracker sauce in a separate bowl for after cooking. Brush the remaining sauce over the chicken before cooking.
- 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. Drizzle or brush with the reserved firecracker sauce.
- Serve immediately, garnished with crushed red pepper and parsley (optional).
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 firecracker 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 firecracker sauce and serve.
- Thread the seasoned chicken onto the skewers. (Wait until after grilling to brush with the firecracker 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 firecracker sauce
Did you make this recipe?
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What the Test Kitchen had to say about this recipe:
Autumn
These are fantastic! The chicken stays juicy and the firecracker sauce is the perfect blend of spicy and sweet. I will be making these a lot!
Elizabeth
Oh, wow! I can't wait to make these at home. They are so good! I think they had just the right amount of spiciness, but not too overpowering.
Stephanie
Wow—these were amazing! I was worried the chicken might dry out, but it stayed tender and flavorful.
Annabelle
I love a good spicy-sweet combo, and these skewers delivered! Quick to prep, easy to cook, and perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Bella
I love spicy foods, and these chicken skewers were great! I did add more red pepper flakes to make mine even spicier.
Delicious