Name: Bang Bang Chicken Skewers (Air Fryer Version)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 13 min
Total time: 53 min
Ingredients: 1/4 cup mayonnaise; 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce; 1 tablespoon honey; 1 tablespoon Sriracha; 1 teaspoon rice wine vinegar; 1 tablespoon soy sauce; 2 teaspoons garlic powder; 2 teaspoons onion powder; 2 teaspoons light brown sugar; 2 teaspoons sesame oil; 2 teaspoons oyster sauce; 1 teaspoon ground ginger; 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs (cut into 1-inch cubes); 8 (6") wooden skewers; 1 green onion (thinly sliced)

Air fryer bang bang chicken skewers on a platter.

Our Bang Bang Shrimp has always been so popular, we decided to make a Bang Bang Chicken version, skewered and air fried! We love this recipe so much! The chicken is juicy and the bang bang sauce pairs perfectly with the skewered chicken. The overall flavors are so delicious. This dish is always such a crowd pleaser!

What is Bang Bang Sauce?

Bang bang sauce is a creamy based sauce made with mayo, Sriracha, Thai sweet chli sauce, and vinegar.

We add a touch of honey to our sauce to add a very subtle floral note, but this can easily be omitted with equally delicious results.

How to Make Air Fryer Bang Bang Chicken Skewers

Bang Bang Sauce Ingredients

Bang Bang Sauce Process

In a mixing bowl combine all sauce ingredients and whisk together. Set aside.

Bang bang sauce whisked together in a bowl.

Marinated Chicken Ingredients

Marinated Chicken Process

In a small mixing bowl combine marinade ingredients and whisk together.
Pour marinade ingredients over chicken and stir together until fully coated. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Chicken skewer marinade ingredients all whisked together.

Chicken and marinade in a glass bowl mixed together.

About 30 minutes before cooking, soak skewers in water.
Pierce 6 to 8 pieces of chicken through each skewer.

Chicken skewered ready to make bang bang chicken.

Lightly spray air fryer basket with cooking spray and top with skewers, leaving about 1/2-inch space between each one (cook in batches to avoid overcrowding).
Brush each skewer with bang bang sauce.

Chicken skewers in an air fryer basket ready to be cooked.

Basting chicken skewers in an air fryer basket.

Air-fry chicken skewers at 400˚F for 8 minutes. Flip each skewer and brush with more sauce. Continue to air-fry for an additional 5 minutes or until chicken has just cooked through.

Cooked air fryer bang bang chicken skewers.

Baking Instructions for Our Recipe

Marinate and skewer chicken as instructed in the original recipe and make the bang bang sauce. Preheat oven to 400˚F. Place skewers onto a baking sheet lined with a cooling rack and spray with cooking spray. Brush each skewers with the bang bang sauce and bake chicken for 15 minutes. Flip each skewer, brush with more sauce and continue to bake for an additional 10 minutes. Flip skewers once more, brush with more sauce and place under broiler for 1 to 2 minutes or until the edges of the chicken have charred a bit. Drizzle skewers with more sauce and serve!

Air fryer bang bang chicken skewers on a platter with sauce being poured on top.

Prep Ahead Instructions

Bang Bang Sauce

The sauce can be made up to 5 days in advance. Combine all ingredients, then transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate. When ready to use, remove from refrigerator about 20 minutes before using, then use as directed.

Chicken

The chicken can be prepped up to 1 day in advance. Combine marinade ingredients and marinate chicken (for at least 30 minutes). Skewer chicken onto soaked skewers. Transfer skewered chicken into an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 1 day. When ready to cook, remove chicken from refrigerator about 20 minutes before cooking. Then cook as instructed.

Tips and Tricks for the BEST Air Fryer Bang Bang Chicken Skewers

Use dark meat – specifically boneless, skinless chicken thighs. This will result in the juiciest and most flavorful bang bang chicken skewers.
Soak the wooden skewers before using – this will prevent the skewers from burning in the air fryer.
Marinate the chicken – marinating the chicken for at least 30 minutes (and up to 24 hours) will impart a great base flavor for the chicken, before it’s brushed with the bang bang sauce!

Close up on one air fryer bang bang chicken skewer.

Why We Love These Bang Bang Chicken Skewers

We love this bang bang chicken recipe so much for so many reasons. We love that our version is a bit healthier than most recipes. We don’t bread our chicken and we use an air fryer for cooking, instead of deep frying (which also makes cleanup a lot easier!). Although our version is a bit healthier, it doesn’t lack on flavor at all!