Bang Bang Chicken is a crispy, golden-fried chicken dish tossed or drizzled with a creamy, spicy-sweet sauce that’s rich, tangy, and completely addictive. It’s inspired by Asian flavors and delivers an irresistible crunch paired with bold, zesty notes. I love serving it as a party appetizer, dinner entrée, or even tucked into tacos or wraps.
Why I Love This Recipe
I love this recipe because it’s fast, fun, and full of flavor. The chicken turns out super crunchy on the outside and juicy on the inside, and the sauce is the perfect balance of creamy, spicy, and sweet. It’s also really easy to customize, so I can adjust the heat or switch up the protein depending on what I have at home.
Ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Chicken:
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1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken tenderloins or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
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1 cup buttermilk
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¾ cup all-purpose flour
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½ cup cornstarch
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1 large egg
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1 tablespoon Sriracha
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½ teaspoon garlic powder
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½ teaspoon salt
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¼ teaspoon black pepper
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⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
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2 cups panko breadcrumbs
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Oil for frying
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Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
For the Bang Bang Sauce:
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1 cup mayonnaise
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½ cup Thai sweet chili sauce
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2 tablespoons honey
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1–2 teaspoons Sriracha (adjust to taste)
Directions
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In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, honey, and Sriracha. Set the sauce aside.
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In another bowl, mix buttermilk, flour, cornstarch, egg, Sriracha, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and cayenne. Stir until smooth. Add the chicken and coat evenly. Let it sit for 20–30 minutes.
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Place the panko breadcrumbs in a shallow dish. Remove each chicken piece from the batter, let the excess drip off, then press into the breadcrumbs to coat.
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Heat oil in a deep skillet or fryer to 350°F (175°C). Fry chicken in batches until golden brown and cooked through, about 3–4 minutes per side. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
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Drizzle the sauce over the hot chicken or toss to coat completely. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve.
Servings and Timing
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Servings: 4 to 6
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Prep Time: 20 minutes
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Cook Time: 10 minutes
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Total Time: 30 minutes
Variations
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I sometimes bake or air-fry the chicken instead of frying to lighten things up.
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For a vegetarian version, I swap the chicken with cauliflower florets.
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I adjust the spice level by playing around with how much Sriracha goes into the sauce.
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When I want to make it more of a meal, I serve it over jasmine rice or inside lettuce wraps.
Storage/Reheating
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I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
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To keep the chicken crispy, I reheat it in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for 10–12 minutes. I warm the sauce separately in the microwave or on the stove and drizzle it over before serving.
FAQs
What exactly is Bang Bang Chicken?
Bang Bang Chicken is a crispy chicken dish coated in a spicy-sweet creamy sauce made from mayonnaise, chili sauce, and Sriracha. It’s a modern twist on traditional Asian flavors.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, I often prep the sauce and marinate the chicken ahead of time. I bread and fry the chicken just before serving for the best texture.
Is this dish really spicy?
It can be! But I control the spice level by adjusting the amount of Sriracha in the sauce and batter. It’s easy to make it mild or fiery depending on what I’m in the mood for.
What can I serve with Bang Bang Chicken?
I like serving it with rice, noodles, or a crunchy slaw. It’s also great in wraps or over a salad.
Can I freeze Bang Bang Chicken?
I freeze the fried chicken pieces (without sauce) and reheat them in the oven when I need a quick meal. I always make the sauce fresh for the best flavor.
Conclusion
Bang Bang Chicken is a must-try if I’m craving something crispy, creamy, and full of flavor. It’s easy to make, totally crowd-pleasing, and perfect for just about any occasion. Once I tried it, it quickly became a regular on my menu—and I bet it’ll be the same for anyone who gives it a shot.
Print
Bang Bang Chicken
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Fry
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
- Diet: Halal
Description
Bang Bang Chicken is a crispy, golden-fried chicken dish drizzled or tossed in a creamy, spicy-sweet sauce made from mayonnaise, Thai chili sauce, and Sriracha—an addictive blend of textures and bold Asian-inspired flavors.
Ingredients
- For the Chicken:
- 1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken tenderloins or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 1 large egg
- 1 tbsp Sriracha
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
- Oil for frying
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- For the Bang Bang Sauce:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup Thai sweet chili sauce
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1–2 tsp Sriracha (adjust to taste)
Instructions
- In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, honey, and Sriracha. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, mix buttermilk, flour, cornstarch, egg, Sriracha, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and cayenne until smooth. Add chicken pieces and coat well. Let sit for 20–30 minutes.
- Place panko breadcrumbs in a shallow dish. Remove chicken pieces from batter, allow excess to drip off, and coat in breadcrumbs.
- Heat oil in a deep skillet or fryer to 350°F (175°C). Fry chicken in batches for 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Drain on paper towels.
- Drizzle or toss fried chicken with the prepared sauce. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
- Air-fry or bake the chicken for a lighter version.
- Swap chicken with cauliflower for a vegetarian take.
- Adjust Sriracha levels to control spice intensity.
- Serve over rice, noodles, in wraps, or with slaw.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 510
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 26g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
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