1. Home
  2. Recipes
  3. Chipotle Chicken Skewers

Bold Chipotle Chicken Skewers

Category: Satisfying Entrées for Any Occasion

These Chipotle Bang Bang Chicken Skewers start with chunks of chicken thighs soaked in a chipotle-lime marinade with garlic and a little honey, then thrown on the grill for that perfect smoky char. The bang bang sauce is a mix of sweet chili sauce, mayo, and a kick of sriracha that goes so well with the chicken's bold taste. Great for cookouts, get-togethers, or an easy weeknight dinner, every bite gives you sweet, tangy, and spicy goodness. Serve them hot off the grill with lime wedges and plenty of extra sauce for dipping. These are always a hit at any table.

Pin It Share Send Print Jump to Recipe
Dana
Updated on Mon, 07 Jul 2025 18:32:35 GMT
Plate loaded with skewered chicken and creamy sauce. Pin
Plate loaded with skewered chicken and creamy sauce. | chefsnaps.com

These Chipotle Bang Bang Chicken Skewers mix juicy chicken with a bold, creamy sauce that'll have you looking for any excuse to fire up the grill. They're smoky, sweet, with a gentle kick that pops. These skewers steal the show at BBQs or game nights, and on nights when you're low on time, they're ready in a flash using just pantry basics.

Once I made this for a backyard hangout, folks haven't stopped asking for it. That creamy sauce is the real fix for the chicken's smoky heat. Every bite keeps things interesting.

Irresistible Ingredients

  • Mayonnaise: creamy base for bang bang sauce—stick with the full-fat kind for a smooth dip
  • Sweet chili sauce: brings a tangy kick, grab a bottle that's nice and vibrant
  • Sriracha: adds whatever level of spice you want, mild or super hot, your call
  • Salt and pepper: simple but important, freshly ground pepper gives extra pop
  • Olive oil: helps everything stick to the chicken and keeps it juicy—extra virgin is best
  • Honey: not too much, just enough to round out the heat, use pure honey
  • Fresh garlic cloves: for that strong garlicky punch, smash or tiny chop so it blends right in
  • Fresh lime juice: keeps things bright and fresh—pick heavy limes for the most juice
  • Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce: smoky and spicy, make sure they're plump and saucy
  • Boneless skinless chicken thighs: super juicy and perfect for grilling—look for thighs that are pink and not too wet

Simple How-To Steps

Add Sauce and Serve:
Set your finished skewers on a plate, brush on loads of bang bang sauce, and serve up extra for dipping. Lime wedges on the side are awesome for a fresh squeeze.
Fire Up the Grill:
Get the grill heating to medium-high. Grease the grates. Grill each skewer for 10–12 minutes, flipping every 3–4 minutes. You want a good char, but the chicken should be cooked through and not pink.
Skewer Time:
Thread the marinated chicken chunks onto metal or soaked wooden skewers. Leave just a bit of space so the pieces roast up evenly.
Whip Up the Sauce:
In a small bowl, mix up mayonnaise with sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and a squeeze of lime. Stir till smooth. Taste it and change up the heat or tang till you like it.
Soak the Flavor:
Drop the chicken into your marinade bowl, mix everything till well coated. Put a lid on and chill for at least 30 minutes—a few hours is even better for max taste.
Make Marinade:
Combine minced chipotle, fresh lime juice, garlic, honey, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a big bowl. Blend till it's almost thick and pasty, so every bite gets the flavor.
Chop Chicken:
Slice chicken thighs into similar-sized pieces. This way, they all grill evenly and cook at the same pace.
A plate loaded with chicken skewers, fork, and a wedge of lime. Pin
A plate loaded with chicken skewers, fork, and a wedge of lime. | chefsnaps.com

The smokiness from chipotle stands out and fresh lime keeps things lively. Sriracha brings in just the right heat. When I whip the sauce together, the bold color and aroma take me straight to warm evenings, friends all around the grill cracking jokes.

Leftover Savvy

Let leftover chicken cool off, then tuck it in an airtight container for the fridge. It stays good for three days. The bang bang sauce lasts a whole week, also in the fridge. If you're freezing extras, just skip the sauce—it works better warmed up plain.

Smart Swaps

Breast meat is totally fine instead of thigh, just don’t let it dry out. For a veggie version, try firm tofu. If you need it dairy-free, sub in vegan mayo and peek at the chili sauce to keep it egg-free. No fresh limes around? Bottled will work for a quick fix.

Meaty skewers piled on a white plate, sauced up and ready to eat. Pin
Meaty skewers piled on a white plate, sauced up and ready to eat. | chefsnaps.com

How to Enjoy

These skewers are great on a mountain of grilled veg or over a pile of rice. Leave the extra sauce on the side—everyone will want more. I like them with crisp cucumbers or a crunchy slaw too. Leftovers? Toss them in a salad or wrap them in lettuce.

Flavor Backstory

Chipotle peppers come straight from Mexican cooking, giving a deep, smoky taste that feels like classic BBQ. Bang bang sauce usually pops up in Asian American dishes, but this homemade twist is perfect for your grill—it's a mashup of fun flavors from all over.

Recipe FAQs

→ Why do these skewers taste smoky?

Grilling brings out bold, smoky notes from the chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, giving them that signature taste and a gentle heat.

→ Can I swap chicken breast for thighs?

Definitely, you can use chicken breast. Just keep an eye on it so it stays moist and doesn't dry out while grilling.

→ Is bang bang sauce super spicy?

You control the heat. If you want it milder, just squeeze in less sriracha and taste as you go.

→ What are some good sides for these skewers?

These go awesome with rice, fresh salad, grilled veggies, or even some warm flatbread on the side.

→ How do I cook these if I don't have a grill?

No problem! Pop them in the oven at 425°F for about 20 to 25 minutes, flipping them halfway until they're cooked through.

→ What if I need a dairy-free version of the sauce?

Just grab your favorite vegan mayo and whip up the bang bang sauce the same way. Works just as well!

Chipotle Chicken Skewers

Juicy grilled chicken skewers marinated in chipotle, then finished with creamy, spicy bang bang sauce for a punch of flavor.

Preparation Time
40 min
Cooking Time
12 min
Total Time
52 min
By: Dana

Category: Main Dishes

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 4 Servings (8–10 skewers)

Dietary Preferences: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

→ For the Chicken Skewers

01 680 g chicken thighs, no bones or skin, chopped into small pieces
02 2 minced chipotle peppers packed in adobo
03 3 garlic cloves, chopped small
04 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime
05 2 tablespoons olive oil
06 1 tablespoon honey
07 Black pepper, as much as you like
08 Salt, to taste

→ For the Bang Bang Sauce

09 120 ml mayo
10 60 ml sweet chili sauce
11 5–10 ml sriracha (spice it up however you want)
12 1 teaspoon lime juice, fresh

Steps

Step 01

In a separate bowl, mix mayo, sweet chili sauce, some sriracha, and a bit of lime juice until it all looks creamy.

Step 02

Cut chicken into bites and toss into the bowl with the marinade, making sure every bit is covered. Pop it in the fridge for at least half an hour.

Step 03

In your big bowl, stir up minced chipotle, lime juice, garlic, honey, olive oil, plus a sprinkle of pepper and some salt.

Step 04

Grab soaked wooden or metal skewers and poke on the chicken pieces so they're spaced out and even.

Step 05

Cook the skewers on a hot grill, flip them sometimes, let them get a bit burnt at the edges and cooked through—should take 10–12 minutes.

Step 06

Splash on bang bang sauce or brush it over the chicken before you eat. Leave the rest of the sauce out for more dipping.

Notes

  1. You can switch to chicken breast if you want—just don’t let it overcook or it’ll turn dry.
  2. Need to skip dairy? Just pick a plant-based mayo for your sauce.
  3. No grill? Bake the loaded skewers in a 220°C oven for around 20–25 minutes, flipping in the middle.

Required Tools

  • Wooden or metal skewers
  • Big mixing bowls
  • Grill or use your oven
  • Tongs for turning
  • Whisk

Allergen Information

Check every ingredient for potential allergens, and consult a healthcare professional if uncertain.
  • Eggs are in the mayo.

Nutritional Details (Per Serving)

These details are for reference purposes and don't replace professional medical advice.
  • Calories: 420
  • Fats: 27 g
  • Carbohydrates: 11 g
  • Protein: 31 g