Name: Bang Bang Chicken Recipe
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Ingredients: 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces; 1/2 cup buttermilk; 1/2 cup cornstarch; 1/2 cup all-purpose flour; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon paprika; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; vegetable oil for frying; 1/3 cup mayonnaise; 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce; 1 tablespoon sriracha; 1 tablespoon honey; 1 teaspoon rice vinegar; green onions and sesame seeds

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Get ready to fall in love at first bite with Bang Bang Chicken. This playful, utterly crave-worthy dish transforms everyday chicken into an explosion of crispy, juicy perfection drenched in a sweet, spicy, and tangy sauce. With a few clever flourishes and a handful of pantry staples, you’ll have a crowd-pleasing masterpiece destined to steal the show at your dinner table. Whether you’re new to the craze or already obsessed, Bang Bang Chicken thrills the senses with every zingy mouthful.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Ingredients You’ll Need

One of the joys of Bang Bang Chicken is how it makes humble, straightforward ingredients truly shine. Every element plays a part—giving the chicken its crunch, lending the sauce that signature fireworks flavor, or adding the final touch of vibrant color.

Chicken breasts: Choose boneless, skinless chicken breasts for the perfect bite-sized tenderness that holds up to frying and saucing.
Buttermilk: A quick soak in buttermilk gives the chicken incredible juiciness and helps the coating cling for maximum crunch.
Cornstarch: This secret weapon ensures the crispiest, lightest exterior—don’t skip it for true restaurant-style Bang Bang Chicken!
All-purpose flour: Balances the cornstarch for a beautifully golden crust that fractures with every bite.
Garlic powder: Adds a subtle savory warmth that runs through both the chicken and the sauce.
Paprika: Lends color and a mild smokiness, elevating the flavor of the crispy coating.
Salt: Just enough to bring all the savory components to life.
Black pepper: A gentle kick of sharpness that underlines the bolder chili heat in the sauce.
Vegetable oil: Neutral-flavored oil is ideal for getting an even fry and irresistible golden crunch.
Mayonnaise: Forms the creamy backbone of the famous bang bang sauce—go with full-fat for best richness.
Sweet chili sauce: Brings the signature sweetness and a little mild heat that plays so well with sriracha.
Sriracha: The spicy heart of the sauce! Adjust more or less to suit your heat preference.
Honey: Offers a delicate floral sweetness that balances the bold flavors beautifully.
Rice vinegar: Just a splash creates brightness and rounds out the sauce with a pleasant tang.
Green onions & sesame seeds (optional): These make for beautiful, fresh, and toasty garnishes—well worth adding for color and crunch.

How to Make Bang Bang Chicken

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

Start by cutting your boneless, skinless chicken breasts into even, bite-sized pieces for quick, juicy cooking. Toss the chicken with buttermilk in a medium bowl. Letting it marinate for at least 30 minutes ensures each piece stays tender and flavorful, and it helps the breading grab every succulent curve of chicken.

Step 2: Mix the Crispy Coating

In a separate bowl, whisk together cornstarch, flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. This magical blend is what makes Bang Bang Chicken so spectacularly crispy, with just the right seasoning to amp up the chicken’s natural flavor. Make sure all the seasonings are evenly distributed for a coating that’s full of taste in every bite.

Step 3: Bread the Chicken Pieces

After the chicken has enjoyed its buttermilk bath, lift out each piece and let any excess drip off—less mess, more crunch! Dredge each chicken piece generously in the flour mixture, making sure every side is fully coated and ready for a golden fry. Press gently so the coating adheres well.

Step 4: Fry Until Golden and Crisp

Heat about two inches of vegetable oil in a deep skillet or heavy pot over medium-high. Once the oil is shimmering (around 350°F), fry the chicken in small batches—don’t crowd the pan! Cook for about 4 to 5 minutes per batch, until each piece is golden brown and fully cooked through. Drain the freshly fried chicken on paper towels.

Step 5: Whisk Up the Bang Bang Sauce

In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and rice vinegar until you have a creamy, perfectly blended sauce. Taste to check the heat and sweetness—you can tweak with an extra splash of sriracha or a drizzle of honey if the mood strikes. This addictive sauce is THE reason Bang Bang Chicken is a sensation!

Step 6: Toss and Serve

While the chicken is still hot and crunchy, quickly toss it in the bang bang sauce, coating every piece in that irresistible glaze. Serve immediately so the coating stays deliciously crisp under its dreamy, spicy-sweet blanket.

How to Serve Bang Bang Chicken

Garnishes

For a finishing flourish, scatter sliced green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds over your Bang Bang Chicken. The fresh greens and nutty seeds add both color and crunch, making each bite irresistible and seriously photogenic.

Side Dishes

Bang Bang Chicken loves sharing the plate with a fluffy bed of steamed jasmine rice, garlic noodles, or lightly dressed Asian-style slaw. Crisp vegetables or pickled cucumbers are fantastic, balancing the richness with freshness and zing.

Creative Ways to Present

Go beyond the expected! Wrap your Bang Bang Chicken in lettuce leaves for a vibrant appetizer, pile it into bao buns for a casual gathering, or stuff warm tortillas to make unforgettable fusion tacos. The saucy, crispy magic plays well with so many presentations—you can invent something new every time.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you find yourself with extra Bang Bang Chicken (lucky you!), let it cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge. It’ll keep well for up to 3 days, though the crispiness will soften a bit. For the best flavor, store the chicken and sauce separately and combine just before serving.

Freezing

Bang Bang Chicken can be frozen, but do so before tossing with the sauce for the tastiest results. Freeze the cooled, fried chicken pieces in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating and saucing, and you’ll be amazed how close it tastes to freshly made.

Reheating

To bring leftover Bang Bang Chicken back to life, use the oven or an air fryer to preserve (and even restore!) some of that famous crunch. Bake at 375°F for about 10 minutes until heated through, then toss with the sauce just before serving. The microwave is okay in a pinch, but you’ll sacrifice some texture.

FAQs

Can I make Bang Bang Chicken less spicy?

Absolutely! Simply start by using less sriracha in the sauce—you can even omit it completely if you prefer. Want just the subtlest tingle? Add an extra spoon of honey or sweet chili sauce to mellow things out further without losing flavor.

Can this recipe be made gluten free?

Yes! Swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend and double-check your cornstarch and sauces for gluten. The crispy coating will still achieve that signature crunch, and all the flavors remain spot-on.

Is there a dairy-free option?

Definitely—simply replace the buttermilk with your favorite unsweetened non-dairy milk mixed with a teaspoon of lemon juice or vinegar. Use a vegan mayo in the sauce, and your Bang Bang Chicken will be completely dairy-free!

What type Main Course

Choose a neutral, high-heat oil like vegetable, canola, or peanut oil. These let the star flavors of the chicken and sauce shine and ensure a perfectly crisp, golden finish every time.

Can I bake or air fry the chicken instead of deep frying?

You sure can! To bake, arrange the coated chicken on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spritz lightly with oil, and bake at 425°F until crisp and cooked through (about 18–20 minutes). For air frying, work in batches at 400°F for 8–10 minutes, shaking midway for even cooking. The results are a lighter, but still delicious, variation of Bang Bang Chicken.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a dish that delivers big flavor, bold texture, and nonstop fun, you simply have to try Bang Bang Chicken. It’s a recipe that guarantees empty plates, happy smiles, and plenty of requests for seconds. Give it a go and let the magic of sweet, spicy, crispy chicken work its charm at your next meal!

Bang Bang Chicken Recipe

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4.7 from 13 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 50 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

Bang Bang Chicken is a popular Asian-inspired dish featuring crispy, spicy chicken bites coated in a sweet and tangy sauce. This recipe provides a perfect balance of flavors and textures that will have your taste buds dancing with delight.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken:

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

For the Sauce:

1/3 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
1 tablespoon sriracha
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon rice vinegar

For Garnish:

green onions and sesame seeds

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Instructions

Marinate the Chicken: In a medium bowl, combine the chicken pieces with the buttermilk and let marinate for at least 30 minutes.
Prepare the Coating: In a separate bowl, whisk together the cornstarch, flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Fry the Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a skillet, coat chicken in the flour mixture, and fry until golden brown and cooked through.
Make the Sauce: Whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and rice vinegar until smooth.
Coat the Chicken: Toss the fried chicken in the sauce until well coated.
Garnish and Serve: Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds, then serve immediately.