Bang Bang Chicken Recipe

If you have a craving for something flavorful, crispy, and downright addictive, Bang Bang Chicken is the answer. This dish perfectly balances a creamy, spicy sauce with tender, crunchy chicken that is sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection. The magic lies in the blend of simple ingredients that come together to create an irresistible combination of sweet, tangy, and fiery flavors. Once you try this Bang Bang Chicken, it’s hard not to go back for seconds!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering the right ingredients is the first step to making Bang Bang Chicken a standout dish. Each component brings something special to the table, whether it’s for texture, heat, or that signature creamy sweetness.

• Mayonnaise: Adds a rich and creamy base for the Bang Bang sauce, balancing the heat perfectly.
• Thai sweet chili sauce: Provides a sweet and mildly spicy flavor that’s essential to achieving the iconic taste.
• Sriracha: Brings a kick of heat — adjust the amount based on your preference for spice.
• Honey: Sweetens the sauce and smooths out the spicy and tangy elements.
• Boneless skinless chicken tenderloins: Tender, juicy, and easy to cook evenly.
• Buttermilk: Helps tenderize the chicken and makes the batter light and flavorful.
• All-purpose flour and cornstarch: A combo that gives the chicken a super crispy coating.
• Egg: Binds the batter ingredients together for perfect coverage.
• Garlic powder, kosher salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper: Spice mix that seasons the batter beautifully.
• Panko breadcrumbs: Creates that irresistible crunchy crust every bite needs.
• Canola oil: The frying oil of choice for a clean, crisp fry.
• Parsley: Adds a fresh, vibrant finish to the plated dish.

How to Make Bang Bang Chicken

Step 1: Prepare the Bang Bang Sauce

Start by whisking together the mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and honey in a small bowl. This sauce is the soul of your dish — creamy with a spicy-sweet punch that perfectly complements the chicken. Set it aside while you work on the batter and the chicken.

Step 2: Make the Batter

In a medium bowl, combine the buttermilk, all-purpose flour, cornstarch, egg, Sriracha, garlic powder, kosher salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Whisk everything together until smooth. The buttermilk tenderizes the chicken while the flour and cornstarch mixture ensures a light but crunchy coating when fried.

Step 3: Coat the Chicken

Add the chicken tenderloins to the batter and toss until each piece is fully coated. Then, transfer the panko breadcrumbs to a shallow plate and dredge each battered chicken piece in the panko, pressing gently to adhere the crumbs evenly. This extra crunch is what makes Bang Bang Chicken so irresistibly satisfying.

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. Working in batches to avoid overcrowding, fry the chicken until golden and crispy, roughly 2 to 3 minutes per side. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F for safety. Remove and drain on paper towels briefly for the crispiest results.

Step 5: Bring It All Together

Once the chicken is cooked and drained, drizzle the prepared Bang Bang sauce over the top or toss the pieces together in the sauce. Garnish with chopped parsley for a fresh, colorful touch, and get ready to enjoy one of the best Bang Bang Chicken meals you’ve ever had!

How to Serve Bang Bang Chicken

Garnishes

A sprinkle of fresh parsley is simple but elevates the dish both visually and taste-wise by adding a pop of color and a hint of herbaceous brightness. For an extra touch, thinly sliced green onions or a few sesame seeds can also bring interesting textures and flavors.

Side Dishes

Serve Bang Bang Chicken with fluffy steamed rice or fried rice to soak up that sweet and spicy sauce. Crunchy slaw or a crisp green salad provides a refreshing contrast to the rich flavors and crunchy chicken. For the carb lovers, buttery garlic noodles or simple steamed broccoli make excellent companions too.

Creative Ways to Present

Try serving this Bang Bang Chicken as an appetizer by slicing tenderloins into bite-sized pieces and serving them on skewers with sauce for dipping. You can also pile it on top of a salad or in a wrap with shredded lettuce and a drizzle of extra sauce to create a more casual, handheld feast perfect for gatherings.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Bang Bang Chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the chicken and sauce separate if possible to maintain optimal crispness. Reassemble just before serving for the best texture.

Freezing

You can freeze the cooked chicken pieces before tossing in sauce. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. Frozen chicken will keep well for up to 2 months. Avoid freezing the sauce as the texture may change upon thawing.

Reheating

To reheat and maintain the crunch, warm the chicken in a preheated oven at 375°F for 10 to 12 minutes or until heated through. If you’ve kept the sauce separate, drizzle it on after reheating. Microwaving is quick but may make the coating soggy.

FAQs

What makes Bang Bang Chicken unique?

Bang Bang Chicken is unique because of its creamy, spicy, and sweet sauce that coats crispy fried chicken tenders. The combination of texture and flavor makes it unlike typical fried chicken dishes.

Can I use chicken breasts instead of tenderloins?

Absolutely! Just slice the chicken breasts into strips similar in size to tenderloins to ensure even cooking and a similar texture.

Is the sauce very spicy?

The sauce has a gentle heat thanks to Sriracha and Thai chili sauce, balanced by honey and mayonnaise. You can adjust the spice level by reducing or increasing the Sriracha to suit your taste.

Can I bake the chicken instead of frying?

Yes, baking is a healthier alternative. Coat the chicken as usual and bake in a 400°F oven on a wire rack for about 20-25 minutes or until crispy and cooked through, turning halfway.

What is the best way to serve Bang Bang Chicken for a party?

For a crowd, serve Bang Bang Chicken as finger food by cutting it into bite-sized pieces, offering extra sauce for dipping, and pairing it with some fresh cut veggies or simple sides for easy serving and sharing.

Final Thoughts

Bang Bang Chicken is one of those dishes that makes you smile with every bite. It perfectly balances crispy, tender chicken with a sauce that’s simultaneously creamy, spicy, and sweet. Whether you’re cooking for yourself, family, or friends, this recipe promises to be a crowd-pleaser. So go ahead, roll up your sleeves, and bring a little of that Bang Bang magic into your kitchen. Trust me, you won’t regret it!

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