Name: Bang Bang Chicken Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Ingredients: 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces; 1 cup buttermilk; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 1/2 cup cornstarch; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon paprika; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; Vegetable oil for frying; 1/2 cup mayonnaise; 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce; 1 tablespoon Sriracha (adjust to heat preference); 1 tablespoon honey; 1 tablespoon rice vinegar

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If there’s one dish I pull out to impress friends—and secretly treat myself—it’s this Bang Bang Chicken Recipe. Imagine juicy, golden-crispy chicken bites tossed in a creamy, sweet, and spicy sauce that practically begs you to grab “just one more” every time. It’s the stuff of appetizer dreams, bursting with flavor from tender marinated chicken and a sauce that hits all the right notes. Whether you pile it over rice, stuff it in lettuce wraps, or simply pass around platters, this recipe transforms any night into a crave-worthy occasion.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Bang Bang Chicken Recipe starts with simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. Each one has a job to do—making the chicken incredibly juicy, crisping it to perfection, or mixing into that dreamy sauce everyone raves about.

Chicken breasts or thighs: Choose your favorite boneless, skinless cut; thighs add juiciness, breasts are lighter.
Buttermilk: This is the secret to melt-in-your-mouth tender chicken—don’t skip the marinating step!
All-purpose flour: The foundation for a crispy, golden coating.
Cornstarch: Lightens the breading and gives it an irresistibly airy crunch.
Garlic powder: Adds depth and that savory undertone everyone loves.
Paprika: For subtle warmth and a little color in every bite.
Salt: Essential for bringing out all the flavors.
Black pepper: A pinch for a subtle kick.
Vegetable oil: Go for a neutral oil with a high smoke point for flawless frying.
Mayonnaise: The silky base for your sweet-spicy bang bang sauce.
Sweet chili sauce: Offers sweetness and a touch of tang in the sauce.
Sriracha: You control the spice! Start slow if you’re serving kids or those sensitive to heat.
Honey: Balances out the heat and adds a glossy finish to the sauce.
Rice vinegar: Adds a gentle zest, pulling all the sauce elements together.

How to Make Bang Bang Chicken Recipe

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

Drop your chicken pieces into a bowl of buttermilk and let the magic happen. This step is where the flavor starts to infuse, and it’s a total game-changer for achieving juicy, flavorful bites. Marinate for at least 30 minutes—longer if you have time (even overnight is fabulous).

Step 2: Prepare the Coating

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. This mixture is your ticket to perfectly seasoned, golden crunch on every piece.

Step 3: Coat the Chicken

Once the chicken is finished marinating, lift out each piece and let the excess buttermilk drip off. Then give it a good tumble in your flour mixture, pressing the coating on so it hugs every nook and cranny of the meat.

Step 4: Fry to Crispy Perfection

Heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil in a deep skillet or pot to 350°F. Fry the chicken in batches—don’t crowd the pan!—for about 5 to 6 minutes until they’re golden brown and gloriously crispy. Set them on a paper towel-lined plate as you finish each batch to drain any excess oil.

Step 5: Make the Bang Bang Sauce

In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, honey, and rice vinegar until smooth and silky. Give it a little taste and adjust the spice if needed—remember, this sauce is the star of the Bang Bang Chicken Recipe!

Step 6: Toss or Drizzle and Serve

You have options here, and both are fantastic. You can either toss your hot, crispy chicken in the sauce for a full-on flavor explosion, or drizzle it over the top and serve extra sauce on the side for dipping. Either way, serve immediately for the ultimate experience!

How to Serve Bang Bang Chicken Recipe

Garnishes

Finish your Bang Bang Chicken Recipe with a shower of chopped scallions, a sprinkle of sesame seeds, or even a squeeze of lime for extra zing. These bright garnishes don’t just look pretty—they add sparkle and new flavor layers to the dish.

Side Dishes

This chicken begs for cool, crisp companions. Try serving it alongside steamed jasmine rice, a fresh cucumber salad, or tucked into lettuce cups. The combination balances the richness and spices for a perfectly rounded meal.

Creative Ways to Present

Keep things exciting by skewering the chicken bites as party appetizers, serving them in slider buns with shredded lettuce, or tossing them onto an Asian-inspired salad for a fun lunch or dinner. However you serve it, the Bang Bang Chicken Recipe always steals the show.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you somehow have leftovers, let the chicken cool completely. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keep the sauce in a separate container if possible to maintain that fresh-from-the-fryer texture.

Freezing

This Bang Bang Chicken Recipe freezes beautifully. Arrange cooled fried chicken on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer to a ziptop bag. Freeze sauce separately in a small container. Enjoy within a month for the best flavor and crunch.

Reheating

For the crispiest results, reheat chicken pieces in a 400°F oven or air fryer until warmed through and crunchy again. Microwave works in a pinch, but the coating won’t be as crispy. Reheat the sauce gently and toss or drizzle as usual.

FAQs

Can I use chicken tenders instead of breasts or thighs?

Absolutely! Chicken tenders work great in this recipe. They’re naturally sized for bite-sized pieces and tend to be even more tender. Just keep the cooking times the same and enjoy.

How spicy is the Bang Bang Chicken Recipe?

The heat is really up to you. The Sriracha brings spice, but you can add more or less to suit your crowd. If making for kids or spice-sensitive folks, start with half the amount and taste as you go.

Is there a lighter way to prepare the chicken?

You can definitely air fry or bake the coated chicken instead of deep-frying. Spray lightly with oil and bake at 400°F until golden and cooked through, or air fry in a single layer for the same results. The chicken will still turn out fabulously crisp.

What kind of oil is best for frying?

Use a neutral, high-smoke-point oil like vegetable, canola, or peanut oil. These oils help the chicken fry up super golden and don’t add extra flavors, letting the Bang Bang Chicken Recipe really shine.

Can I make the sauce ahead of time?

Yes! The sauce can be whisked together and stored in the fridge for up to a week. Stir it before serving, and you’re ready to go—making prep on busy days even easier.

Final Thoughts

Once you’ve tried this Bang Bang Chicken Recipe, you’ll want to keep it on repeat for parties, dinners, and everything in between. The bold flavors, easy prep, and endless serving possibilities make it a true favorite—so gather your ingredients and get frying, because this is one dish you’ll crave long after the last bite!

Bang Bang Chicken Recipe

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4.8 from 17 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 35 minutes (plus marinating)
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

Enjoy the crunchy and flavorful Bang Bang Chicken, a popular Asian-inspired dish featuring crispy chicken bites coated in a sweet and spicy sauce. Perfect as a main course or appetizer, this recipe will be a hit at any gathering.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken:

1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Vegetable oil for frying

For the Bang Bang Sauce:

1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
1 tablespoon Sriracha (adjust to heat preference)
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon rice vinegar

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Instructions

Marinate the Chicken: Place chicken in buttermilk, let marinate for at least 30 minutes.
Prepare the Coating: Combine flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
Fry the Chicken: Dredge marinated chicken in the flour mixture, fry until golden brown.
Make the Bang Bang Sauce: Whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, honey, and rice vinegar.
Toss in Sauce: Drizzle sauce over fried chicken or toss to coat.
Serve: Enjoy with extra sauce on the side.