Introduction
Craving something crispy, creamy, and just the right amount of spicy? Bang Bang Chicken checks all the boxes! This popular restaurant-style dish features juicy chicken bites tossed in a crave-worthy sweet chili mayo sauce—aka “bang bang” sauce. It’s perfect as an appetizer, weeknight dinner, or party snack and comes together in under 30 minutes.
This recipe delivers everything you love about your favorite takeout dish, but made fresh at home with pantry staples. Let’s get cooking!
Ingredients List
For the Chicken:
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/2 cup buttermilk (or milk with 1/2 tbsp vinegar)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Oil for frying
For the Bang Bang Sauce:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
- 1–2 tsp Sriracha (adjust for heat)
- 1 tbsp honey (optional, for sweetness)
Timing
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
In a bowl, soak chicken pieces in buttermilk for 10–15 minutes while you prepare the coating and sauce.
Step 2: Make the Bang Bang Sauce
In a small bowl, mix together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and honey (if using). Stir until smooth and set aside.
Step 3: Coat the Chicken
In a shallow dish, combine flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Remove chicken from buttermilk, letting excess drip off, and dredge in the flour mixture until well-coated.
Step 4: Fry
Heat about 1 inch of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Fry chicken in batches for 3–4 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through. Drain on paper towels.
Step 5: Toss in Sauce
Once all chicken is fried, place it in a large bowl. Pour bang bang sauce over and gently toss to coat evenly.
Optional Garnish:
- Chopped green onions
- Sesame seeds
- Serve with rice, lettuce cups, or as-is!
Nutritional Information (Per Serving – Approx. 4 Servings)
- Calories: 420
- Protein: 28g
- Carbs: 24g
- Fat: 24g
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 580mg
Tips for Success
- Double-coat for extra crispiness – Dip in buttermilk, flour, then repeat.
- Use a thermometer – Oil should be ~350°F for best frying results.
- Baking or Air Frying? Lightly spray coated chicken and bake at 400°F for 20 minutes or air fry at 390°F for 10–12 minutes.
Serving Suggestions
- Over jasmine rice with steamed veggies
- In tacos with slaw and lime crema
- As sliders with pickles and extra sauce
- In lettuce wraps for a low-carb option
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overcrowding the pan: Fry in batches to keep it crispy.
- Too much sauce: Toss gently and don’t oversaturate.
- Not draining oil: Let excess oil drip off for a crisp finish.
Storing and Reheating
- Store: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Use an air fryer or oven to keep it crispy—avoid microwaving if possible.
- Freeze: Freeze plain fried chicken and toss in fresh sauce after reheating.
Conclusion
Bang Bang Chicken is the spicy, creamy, crispy bite you’ve been waiting for. It’s simple to make, wildly flavorful, and always a crowd-pleaser. Whether you serve it over rice or tuck it into tacos, it brings restaurant-level excitement to your table—no reservations needed!
Tried it? Leave a review below and tag us with your photos! #HomemadeBangBang
