Sweet Spicy Chicken Sticks

Featured in Family-Friendly Recipes.

Sweet and Spicy Chicken Sticks combine juicy chicken pieces marinated with garlic, olive oil, and smoked paprika. They're coated in a honey-sweet sauce bursting with heat and tang. Made in less than 30 minutes with an air fryer. Sprinkle with sesame seeds or parsley, and serve hot with extra sauce on the side. Great for quick meals or a light low-carb dinner option.

Sarah Recipes
Updated on Thu, 24 Apr 2025 13:05:28 GMT
Sweet and Spicy Chicken Sticks Pin it
Sweet and Spicy Chicken Sticks | recipesaddicts.com

These Air Fryer Bang Bang Chicken Skewers turn ordinary chicken thighs into an amazing dish packed with big flavors that won't keep you slaving away. The sauce hits that perfect sweet-spicy spot that'll have everyone coming back for more.

I stumbled onto this dish during one crazy busy week and now it's my go-to when I want to wow people without any kitchen drama. My next door neighbor begged me for the how-to after just trying one at our backyard get-together last summer.

Ingredients

  • Boneless skinless chicken thighs: Chopped into 1 inch chunks give you way more juiciness than breast meat ever could
  • Olive oil: Gets all those tasty seasonings to stick and makes everything brown up nicely
  • Paprika: Brings a hint of smoky goodness and gives your chicken that gorgeous color
  • Garlic powder: Packs in flavor without burning like fresh garlic sometimes does
  • Salt: Wakes up all the other flavors and makes sure your chicken tastes good through and through
  • Black pepper: Adds a bit of warmth and depth to the mix
  • Mayonnaise: Forms the smooth, rich foundation of our bang bang sauce
  • Sweet chili sauce: Delivers that classic bang bang sweet heat that everyone loves
  • Hot sauce: Lets you dial the heat up or down just how you want it
  • Honey: Cuts through the spiciness with its natural sweetness

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the Chicken:
Cut your chicken thighs into same-sized 1 inch chunks so they'll cook at the same rate. Too small and they'll dry out, too big and you'll end up with raw centers.
Season Thoroughly:
Grab a big bowl and mix your chicken with the oil and all your spices, making sure every piece gets a good coating. This builds your flavor base. Pop it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to soak up all that goodness.
Make the Bang Bang Sauce:
Mix mayo, sweet chili sauce, hot sauce, honey and salt until it's nice and smooth. You want it thick enough to stick to the chicken but still easy to drizzle. Save some for dipping and use the rest for coating.
Skewer the Chicken:
Put your seasoned chicken onto skewers with little spaces between each piece. These gaps help the hot air flow all around, so everything cooks evenly and gets nice and brown.
Initial Sauce Application:
Brush your chicken skewers really well with the bang bang sauce before they go in the air fryer. This first layer will cook into the meat and make everything super tasty.
Air Fry to Perfection:
Heat your air fryer to 400°F and lay out the skewers so they aren't touching. Cook them for 12–15 minutes, flip them halfway, until they hit 165°F inside and get those yummy crispy edges.
Final Sauce Coating:
Right when they're done, brush more bang bang sauce all over them. The hot chicken will warm up the sauce just a bit, making a perfect sticky coating.
Serve Immediately:
Put them on a nice plate with extra sauce for dipping. You'll love how the hot chicken tastes against the cooler sauce – it's really something special.
A plate of bang bang chicken skewers. Pin it
A plate of bang bang chicken skewers. | recipesaddicts.com

This bang bang sauce is so good for so many things! I now make extra batches to dip veggies in or spread on sandwiches. There's something almost magical about how the sweet chili sauce mixes with creamy mayo – it's become that taste my family knows and craves.

Make Ahead Options

You can totally prep these skewers early. The chicken actually tastes better if you let it marinate up to 24 hours before cooking. The sauce keeps well for about 5 days in a sealed container in your fridge. If you want to cook them ahead too, just warm them back up in the air fryer for 3–5 minutes at 350°F and they'll stay nice and juicy.

Perfect Pairings

These zesty bang bang chicken skewers go really well with cool, refreshing sides. Try them with a simple cucumber mix dressed with rice vinegar and sesame oil. When you want something more filling, serve them with some steamed jasmine rice, or try cauliflower rice if you're watching carbs. The sauce tastes amazing drizzled over roasted veggies too, especially broccoli or Brussels sprouts.

A plate of chicken skewers with lime wedges. Pin it
A plate of chicken skewers with lime wedges. | recipesaddicts.com

Origins and Adaptations

Bang bang sauce comes from Sichuan cooking, where they usually serve bang bang chicken cold with a sauce made from sesame. Our version puts a modern spin on those flavors in a hot dish that really works for American tastes. The mix of sweet, spicy and creamy has made this sauce super popular in Western restaurants and home kitchens, where folks love it with shrimp, chicken or even just veggies.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What’s in the sweet and spicy sauce?

The sauce typically mixes mayonnaise, honey, hot sauce, sweet chili sauce, and seasoning for a balanced kick of sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors.

→ How can I check if the chicken is done?

Use a meat thermometer to confirm the chicken has reached 165°F (74°C). This ensures it’s fully cooked inside.

→ Can chicken breasts replace thighs?

Sure! Swap thighs for breasts. Just slice them evenly to make sure they cook consistently.

→ Can I cook these without an air fryer?

Of course! Try baking or grilling instead. Just watch the timing and ensure the chicken hits the right temperature.

→ How do I make it keto-friendly?

Switch to full-fat mayo, sugar-free honey, and keto-approved sweet chili sauce to keep the dish low-carb.

→ Can the sauce be made beforehand?

Yes, whip up the sauce ahead and keep it sealed in the fridge for up to a week.

Sweet Spicy Chicken Sticks

Tender chicken sticks with sweet and spicy glaze.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
15 Minutes
Total Time
25 Minutes
By: Sarah

Category: Family Meals

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 6 Servings

Dietary: Low-Carb, Gluten-Free

Ingredients

01 1 tablespoon olive oil
02 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
03 1 teaspoon garlic powder
04 1 teaspoon paprika
05 1 teaspoon salt
06 1 1/2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken thighs, diced into 1-inch pieces

→ Bang Bang Sauce

07 1/2 cup sweet chili sauce
08 1 cup mayonnaise
09 1 tablespoon hot sauce (or extra if you'd like it spicier)
10 1 teaspoon salt
11 2 tablespoons honey

Instructions

Step 01

Cut your chicken thighs into 1-inch chunks. Try to keep the sizes the same so they cook evenly.

Step 02

Put the chicken pieces in a big bowl. Add the olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix it all together so the chicken's coated well. Let it chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes for better taste.

Step 03

In a new bowl, stir together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, honey, hot sauce, and salt until smooth and combined. Set it aside for later.

Step 04

Take your marinated chicken and slide the pieces onto skewers. Leave little spaces between them so they cook evenly and aren't cramped.

Step 05

Turn your air fryer on and set it to 400°F (200°C).

Step 06

Lay your skewers in the air fryer basket as a single layer, making sure they don't touch each other. Cook them for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking. The chicken should hit 165°F (74°C) inside when it's done.

Step 07

When the chicken is cooked, add more of the Bang Bang sauce onto the skewers for extra flavor.

Step 08

Serve warm. You can top with sesame seeds or parsley if you'd like, and don't forget the extra sauce for dipping!

Notes

  1. Switch to keto-friendly options like sugar-free honey, full-fat mayonnaise, and low-carb sweet chili sauce to make this work for keto diets.

Tools You'll Need

  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Skewers
  • Air fryer

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Mayonnaise includes eggs

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 456
  • Total Fat: 35 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 6 g
  • Protein: 23 g