Description
Crispy bang bang chicken elevates weeknight dinners with its irresistible crunch and spicy-sweet sauce. Perfectly golden and juicy, this air fryer recipe delivers restaurant-quality flavor that makes simple meals feel like a gourmet celebration you can’t wait to devour.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 lb (454 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
Coating Ingredients:
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 egg, beaten
Seasoning:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- Cooking spray (for air frying)
Bang Bang Sauce:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons sriracha sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional for extra flavor)
Instructions
- Establish a breading station with three distinct vessels: one for seasoned flour blend incorporating garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper; another for whisked egg; and the third containing panko breadcrumbs.
- Methodically transform chicken pieces by first dredging in flour mixture, ensuring complete coverage, then immersing in beaten egg, and finally encasing with crisp panko breadcrumbs. Allow breaded chicken to rest momentarily.
- Calibrate air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and lightly mist basket with cooking spray to prevent potential adherence.
- Strategically arrange breaded chicken in a singular layer within air fryer basket, potentially executing multiple batches to maintain optimal spacing.
- Initiate cooking process, rotating basket midway through 10-12 minute duration to guarantee uniform golden-brown exterior and thorough internal cooking.
- Simultaneously craft bang bang sauce by vigorously combining mayonnaise, sriracha, honey, rice vinegar, garlic powder, and optional sesame oil until achieving silky, uniform consistency.
- Upon chicken completion, transfer crispy morsels to expansive mixing bowl and delicately enrobe with prepared sauce, ensuring comprehensive coating.
- Present immediately, optionally adorning with verdant green onion slivers or toasted sesame seeds, accompanied by complementary rice or vegetable medley.
Notes
- Breading Technique Matters: Ensure each chicken piece is evenly and completely coated with flour, egg, and panko for the crispiest exterior and most satisfying crunch.
- Avoid Overcrowding: Cook chicken in batches to maintain air circulation, preventing soggy spots and guaranteeing uniformly golden-brown pieces.
- Sauce Customization: Adjust Bang Bang sauce heat level by increasing or decreasing sriracha, making it adaptable for different spice tolerances.
- Gluten-Free Modification: Swap regular flour with gluten-free alternatives like almond or rice flour, and use gluten-free panko for celiac-friendly version.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 56 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg