Bang Bang Chicken Recipe

If you’re craving something crispy, creamy, and with just the right balance of sweet heat, this Bang Bang Chicken Recipe is going to become your new go-to. I absolutely love how this dish turns out every time—crispy, juicy chicken tenders coated in a luscious, tangy sauce that hits all the right flavor notes. Whether you’re making it for a casual weeknight dinner or impressing guests at a weekend gathering, this recipe works like a charm.

When I first tried this recipe, I was surprised by how easy it was to nail that perfect crispy coating without fancy equipment. The combination of buttermilk and the blend of flour and cornstarch creates such a light, crunchy crust that locks in moisture. You’ll find that making the bang bang sauce is quick too, letting you whip up something that feels restaurant-worthy but comes together in under 30 minutes.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

All the ingredients work together to create a harmony of flavors and textures—creamy sauce, crispy chicken, and subtle heat. When shopping, look for quality mayonnaise and authentic Thai sweet chili sauce to really make your bang bang sauce shine.

• Mayonnaise: Use full-fat for creaminess and richness in the sauce.
• Thai sweet chili sauce: This brings that signature sweet and tangy flavor; don’t substitute with just regular chili sauce.
• Sriracha: Adds the spicy kick; adjust based on how much heat you like.
• Honey: Balances the heat with natural sweetness.
• Chicken tenderloins: These cook quickly and stay tender—perfect for frying.
• Buttermilk: Essential for tenderizing and helps the batter stick to the chicken.
• Flour and cornstarch: The combo ensures the coating is light and crunchy.
• Egg: Binds the batter ingredients together for even coating.
• Garlic powder, kosher salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper: Seasonings that bring the perfect depth of flavor.
• Panko breadcrumbs: These do wonders for crunch—don’t substitute with regular breadcrumbs if you want that crispiness!
• Canola oil: Great for frying thanks to its high smoke point.
• Parsley: Fresh garnish to add color and a bright contrast to the rich chicken.

Variations

I love to mix things up based on what I have on hand or who I’m cooking for. This Bang Bang Chicken Recipe is really flexible, so feel free to experiment with spice levels or try different types of chicken cuts for variety.

• Spicy Version: I sometimes increase the Sriracha in both the sauce and batter for an extra kick that my spice-loving friends adore.
• Baked Option: For a lighter twist, try baking the breaded chicken tenders at 425°F until crispy; it’s not quite as crunchy but still delicious.
• Chicken Thighs: If you prefer dark meat, boneless skinless chicken thighs work great and stay juicy.
• Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free flour mix and gluten-free panko breadcrumbs to make this recipe safe for gluten-sensitive eaters.

How to Make Bang Bang Chicken Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Bang Bang Sauce

Start by mixing the mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and honey in a small bowl until everything is well combined. I like to taste it here to adjust the heat with more Sriracha or sweetness with more honey. Set this aside so those flavors can marry while you work on the chicken.

Step 2: Make the Batter and Coat the Chicken

In a medium bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, flour, cornstarch, egg, Sriracha, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. This batter is key to getting a crunchy but tender crust. Add the chicken tenderloins and toss to coat them evenly. I find letting the chicken soak for a few minutes helps the batter adhere better.

Step 3: Coat with Panko Breadcrumbs

Pour panko onto a shallow plate. Working one piece at a time, lift the chicken out of the batter, letting excess drip off, then dredge it in the panko pressing gently so it sticks well. Lay the coated pieces on a clean plate and repeat until all are coated. Make sure not to crowd the plate so the coating stays crisp.

Step 4: Fry the Chicken

Heat about an inch of canola oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it reaches 365°F (a candy or frying thermometer works great here). Fry the chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding, cooking each side for 2-3 minutes until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp of 165°F). Transfer cooked chicken to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil—it keeps them perfectly crispy.

Step 5: Toss and Serve

Once all the chicken is fried and drained, toss the pieces gently with the bang bang sauce until well coated. Sprinkle with chopped parsley for a pop of color and freshness. Serve warm, and get ready for everyone to ask for seconds!

How to Serve Bang Bang Chicken Recipe

Garnishes

I always top the chicken with freshly chopped parsley—it adds a lovely herbal brightness and a nice contrast to the creamy sauce. Sometimes I sprinkle a little extra Sriracha or sesame seeds for an extra special touch when serving to friends.

Side Dishes

This Bang Bang Chicken pairs amazingly with simple sides like steamed jasmine rice or a crunchy Asian slaw. On busy nights, I throw together a quick cucumber salad dressed in rice vinegar and sesame oil to keep things light and fresh.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist at parties, I’ve served the bang bang chicken on slider buns with extra sauce and pickled veggies for crunch. You can also skewer the tenders for easy finger food — perfect for game day or casual get-togethers.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I recommend storing leftover chicken and sauce separately in airtight containers to keep the chicken crispy. When refrigerated, the chicken stays good for about 3 days, but the sauce might thicken so stir it before serving.

Freezing

If you want to prep ahead, freeze the cooked, breaded chicken tenders before tossing in sauce. Freeze them in a single layer on a tray and then transfer to a freezer bag. When ready, reheat in the oven until crispy, then add fresh sauce.

Reheating

To keep the crispiness intact, I reheat leftovers in a 375°F oven for 8-10 minutes instead of the microwave. Then toss with sauce just before serving—this way, it feels freshly made every time!

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I still get excited every time I make this Bang Bang Chicken Recipe because it’s just so darn delicious and approachable. It’s one of those recipes that brings comfort food vibes but feels fresh and a bit special thanks to that amazing sauce. If you’re looking for a crowd-pleaser that’s quick to whip up and packs in tons of flavor, this is the one I wholeheartedly recommend. Grab those ingredients and give it a try—you’ll thank me later!

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