If you are craving a dish that perfectly balances crispy, spicy, and creamy all in one bite, you have to try this Bang Bang Chicken Recipe. It’s a personal favorite that brings together tender, juicy chicken coated in a crunchy crust and tossed in a luscious, slightly spicy sauce that will keep you coming back for more. Whether you’re serving it as an appetizer for a gathering or a satisfying main course, this dish is bursting with flavor and texture that feels indulgent yet totally doable in your own kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients for this Bang Bang Chicken Recipe are straightforward, yet each plays a crucial role in building that signature flavor and texture. Fresh chicken brings juiciness, the spices in the coating add depth, and the sauce ties everything together with a sweet and spicy kick that’s irresistible.
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs: Choose thighs for extra tenderness or breasts for a leaner option, cut into bite-sized pieces for easy frying and eating.
- ½ cup buttermilk: Helps tenderize the chicken and allows the coating to stick better, ensuring maximum crispiness.
- ½ cup cornstarch: Essential to create that light, crunchy exterior that makes every bite satisfyingly crispy.
- ½ cup all-purpose flour: Adds bulk to the coating and works perfectly with the cornstarch for texture.
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder: A subtle depth of savory flavor that elevates the coating.
- ½ teaspoon paprika: Adds a touch of smoky warmth and beautiful color to the chicken crust.
- ½ teaspoon salt: Enhances the overall flavor by balancing the spices.
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper: Gives a gentle heat that complements the sauce nicely.
- Vegetable oil for frying: Use a high-smoke-point oil so your chicken fries to golden perfection without burning.
- For the Bang Bang Sauce:
- ½ cup mayonnaise: Creates a creamy base that binds the sauce together.
- ¼ cup sweet chili sauce: Brings sweetness with just the right hint of spice and tang.
- 1 tablespoon Sriracha: Adjust this to your spice preference, adding kick and depth.
- 1 tablespoon honey or sugar (optional): A touch of sweetness balances the heat perfectly and rounds out the sauce.
How to Make Bang Bang Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
Start by combining the chicken pieces with buttermilk in a medium bowl. Letting them soak for 15 to 30 minutes not only tenderizes the meat but also helps the coating stick better once it’s time to fry.
Step 2: Prepare the Coating Mixture
While the chicken marinates, mix together cornstarch, flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper in a separate bowl. This blend will give your chicken that irresistible crunch and flavorful crust.
Step 3: Heat the Oil
Pour 1 to 2 inches of vegetable oil into a deep skillet or saucepan and heat it to 350°F. Maintaining this temperature is key to frying chicken that’s crispy outside and cooked through inside without absorbing too much oil.
Step 4: Coat and Fry the Chicken
Remove chicken pieces from the buttermilk, dredge them evenly in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Fry the chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding, cooking each piece for about 4 to 5 minutes or until golden brown and fully cooked. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate to remove excess oil.
Step 5: Make the Bang Bang Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and honey or sugar until smooth. This sauce is the heart of the Bang Bang Chicken Recipe, balancing sweet, spicy, and creamy flavors so beautifully.
Step 6: Toss or Drizzle
Finally, either toss your crispy chicken in the sauce to coat every bite or drizzle it generously on top. Serve immediately for the best crunchy and flavorful experience.
How to Serve Bang Bang Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
Adding garnishes like thinly sliced green onions or a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds brings a fresh crunch and a pop of color that makes the dish look as amazing as it tastes.
Side Dishes
Pair this Bang Bang Chicken Recipe with steamed jasmine rice, crisp lettuce cups, or even simple noodles for a complete and satisfying meal that fills any craving.
Creative Ways to Present
Want to impress your guests? Serve the chicken in lettuce wraps with shredded carrots and cucumbers, or present it on a bed of mixed greens with a sprinkle of chopped peanuts for a delightful textural contrast. The possibilities are endless, and each way brings a new twist to your favorite Bang Bang Chicken Recipe.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
You can keep any leftover Bang Bang Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The chicken will still hold some of its crispiness, especially if you reheat properly.
Freezing
If you want to freeze the chicken, it’s best to do so before tossing it in the sauce. Freeze on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, then transfer to a freezer bag. This allows you to reheat and sauce freshly for best results.
Reheating
To bring back that crunch when reheating, use an oven or air fryer at 375°F for 10 to 15 minutes until warmed through. Avoid microwaving as it can make the coating soggy. Add the Bang Bang sauce after reheating for maximum flavor.
FAQs
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Absolutely! Swap the all-purpose flour and cornstarch with gluten-free flour blends or use rice flour for a similar crispy texture.
Is it possible to bake the chicken instead of frying?
Yes, you can bake the coated chicken pieces on a greased baking sheet at 425°F for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway through. While not as crispy as frying, it’s a lighter alternative that still pairs well with the sauce.
How spicy is this Bang Bang Chicken Recipe?
The spice level comes mainly from the Sriracha in the sauce, which you can adjust according to your heat preference or omit for a milder version that still tastes fantastic.
Can I use pre-cooked chicken for the sauce?
You can, but for the authentic crispy experience, it’s best to fry or bake fresh chicken pieces and toss them in the sauce just before serving.
What are good alternatives to mayonnaise in the sauce?
If you want to lighten the sauce or avoid mayo, Greek yogurt or a creamy avocado base can be used as substitutes, adjusting the flavor slightly but keeping that creamy texture.
Final Thoughts
There’s something so joyful about making and sharing this Bang Bang Chicken Recipe, and I can’t wait for you to try it in your own kitchen. With its perfect balance of crispy chicken and creamy, spicy sauce, it’s a dish that makes any meal feel like a special occasion. Give it a go—you might just find your new favorite go-to for dinner or entertaining friends!
Print
Bang Bang Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course, Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Description
Bang Bang Chicken is a delicious Asian-inspired dish featuring crispy fried chicken bites tossed in a creamy, spicy, and slightly sweet sauce made from mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and Sriracha. Perfect as a main course or appetizer, this recipe combines crunchy textures with bold flavors for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Chicken and Coating
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- ½ cup buttermilk
- ½ cup cornstarch
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Bang Bang Sauce
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon Sriracha (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon honey or sugar (optional, for extra sweetness)
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a medium bowl, combine the bite-sized chicken pieces with the buttermilk. Allow the chicken to marinate for 15 to 30 minutes to tenderize and add moisture.
- Prepare the Coating: In another bowl, mix together the cornstarch, all-purpose flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. This dry coating will give the chicken its crispy texture.
- Heat Oil for Frying: Pour 1 to 2 inches of vegetable oil into a deep skillet or saucepan and heat it to 350°F. The oil should be hot enough to fry the chicken quickly without absorbing too much oil.
- Coat the Chicken: Remove the marinated chicken pieces from the buttermilk, then thoroughly dredge them in the flour mixture. Shake off any excess coating to prevent clumps in the oil.
- Fry the Chicken: Fry the coated chicken pieces in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Cook each batch for 4 to 5 minutes or until the chicken pieces are golden brown, crispy, and cooked through. Transfer the fried chicken to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
- Make the Bang Bang Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and honey or sugar until the sauce is smooth and well combined.
- Toss and Serve: Toss the hot fried chicken pieces in the Bang Bang sauce or drizzle the sauce over the top. Garnish with green onions or sesame seeds if desired and serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Serve the Bang Bang Chicken over steamed rice, in lettuce cups, or with noodles for a complete meal.
- For a lighter version, bake or air fry the chicken instead of deep frying, then toss with the sauce afterward.
- You can adjust the heat level by modifying the amount of Sriracha in the sauce.
- Garnish with sliced green onions or sesame seeds to add extra flavor and texture.
