Go Back
Healthy Bang Bang Chicken Skewers for Easy Air Fryer Recipes Healthy

Easy Kabob Recipes for Healthy Evening Meals

These Bang Bang Chicken Skewers are a quick and flavorful option when you need easy kabob recipes for healthy evening meals. Tender chicken is seasoned with bold spices, coated in a creamy sweet-and-spicy bang bang sauce, and cooked until juicy and caramelized. You can make them in the air fryer for a fast weeknight dinner or grill them for extra smoky flavor. They’re perfect as a light main dish, party appetizer, or protein-packed meal served with rice, salad, or veggies. Simple to prep and full of bold flavor, these skewers are an easy way to make dinner feel fun and seriously delicious.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 1½ to 2 pounds chicken thighs cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons hot honey optional
For the Bang Bang Sauce
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
  • ⅔ cup Thai sweet chili sauce
  • ¼ cup Sriracha adjust to your preferred spice level

Method
 

    These come together fast and can be cooked either on the grill or in the air fryer—so you’ve got options depending on your mood, weather, or current willingness to clean extra dishes.

    1. Season the Chicken

    Place the cubed chicken thighs in a large mixing bowl.
    Add the olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, cayenne, salt, and hot honey if you’re using it.
    Toss everything together until the chicken is fully coated. You want every piece covered in that spicy, flavorful seasoning mix.

    2. Build the Skewers

    Take one skewer at a time and thread the chicken pieces on, filling each one about halfway to three-quarters full.
    Try not to pack the chicken too tightly. A little space between the pieces helps them cook more evenly and gives you better caramelization.
    Once assembled, place the skewers on a baking sheet while you make the sauce.

    3. Mix the Bang Bang Sauce

    In a medium bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, lime juice, Thai sweet chili sauce, and Sriracha until smooth and creamy.
    This should give you about 1½ cups of sauce, which is more than enough for brushing, drizzling, and dipping—because obviously more sauce is the correct lifestyle choice.
    Next, divide the sauce into two separate portions:
    This keeps things safe and gives you that fresh, creamy finish at the end.
    - One half for brushing onto the raw skewers before/during cooking
    - One half to save for serving after the chicken is cooked

Notes

Grill Method

Ready for that smoky char? Here’s how to do it.
Place the skewers on a preheated grill over medium-high heat.
Brush the chicken generously with one portion of the bang bang sauce.
Cook for 15 to 20 minutes, turning the skewers often so they cook evenly and don’t burn on one side.
As they grill, keep brushing on the sauce until it’s used up. This helps build that sticky, caramelized coating that makes these skewers ridiculously good.
The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Air Fryer Method

Want a faster, low-mess option? The air fryer absolutely delivers.
Arrange the skewers in a single layer in your air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your basket, you may need to cook them in batches.
Air fry at 400°F for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping them halfway through cooking.
Check that the chicken reaches 165°F before removing it.
Once cooked, transfer the skewers to a serving plate and brush or drizzle them with the reserved bang bang sauce. Add a little extra hot honey on top if you want a sweet-spicy finish.
Serve right away while they’re hot, juicy, and impossible to ignore.

Helpful Recipe Notes

You can use chicken breast too

Boneless, skinless chicken breast works just fine if that’s what you have on hand. Just keep an eye on the cook time since it can dry out faster than thighs.

Hot honey is optional

Want extra sticky sweetness? Use it. Prefer to keep things simpler? Regular honey works too—or skip it completely.

Make it milder if needed

Not everyone wants dinner to fight back.
For a less spicy version:
  • leave out the cayenne pepper
  • skip the hot honey
  • use less Sriracha in the sauce
You’ll still get plenty of flavor without the extra heat.

Storage and Reheating

Got leftovers? Lucky you.
Store the cooked skewers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

To Reheat in the Air Fryer

Warm them at 350°F for about 3 minutes, or until heated through.

To Reheat in the Microwave

You can microwave them too, but heat gently. Overcooking can make the chicken a little tough and chewy—and nobody wants rubbery leftovers pretending to be dinner.