Irresistible Bang Bang Chicken Recipe

Sizzling Bang Bang Chicken Recipe: Irresistible Spicy Delight

Culinary magic happens when you whip up this bang bang chicken that sparks unexpected flavor combinations.

Crispy golden pieces dance with a zesty sauce that makes taste buds leap with excitement.

Weeknight dinner just became an adventure waiting to unfold.

Home cooks appreciate simple ingredients that create maximum deliciousness without complicated techniques.

Crunchy exterior meets creamy sauce in a perfect harmony of textures.

Everyone around the table will ask for seconds of this crowd-pleasing dish.

Dive in and watch how quickly plates become clean and smiles emerge.

Bang Bang Chicken That Packs Heat and Creaminess

  • Quick and Easy Cooking
  • Whip up this mouthwatering Bang Bang Chicken in just 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights when you want delicious food without spending hours in the kitchen.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Flavor Explosion
  • Deliver a taste sensation that will make everyone at the table cheer with the perfect balance of crispy chicken and spicy-sweet sauce that hits all the right flavor notes.
  • Versatile Meal Option
  • Enjoy this recipe as a fantastic main dish, appetizer, or party snack that works brilliantly for casual dinners, game nights, or potluck gatherings with friends and family.
  • Customizable Spice Level
  • Control the heat by adjusting the sriracha sauce, making this recipe friendly for both spice lovers and those with milder taste preferences, ensuring everyone can enjoy the dish.

Bang Bang Chicken Recipe Essentials

Chicken Preparation Ingredients:
  • Chicken, Boneless Chicken Thighs: Tender meat with rich flavor, perfect for coating and frying.
  • Flour, Cornstarch: Creates crispy golden exterior, helps sauce stick to chicken.
  • Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Paprika: Adds depth and aromatic seasoning to breading.
  • Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for enhancing overall taste.
Coating Ingredients:
  • Egg, Buttermilk: Helps breading adhere to chicken, creates moisture and tenderness.
Frying and Sauce Ingredients:
  • Vegetable Oil: High smoke point oil for deep frying chicken.
  • Mayonnaise, Sweet Chili Sauce, Sriracha Sauce: Creamy and spicy base for classic Bang Bang sauce.
  • Rice Vinegar, Honey: Balances sauce with tangy and sweet notes.
Garnish Ingredients:
  • Green Onions, Cilantro: Fresh herbs for bright flavor and visual appeal.

Bang Bang Chicken Crispy Recipe Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Chicken Coating

Create a delicious seasoned coating by mixing dry ingredients in a medium bowl.

Whisk together the flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.

In a separate bowl, blend the beaten egg with buttermilk to create a wet mixture that will help the coating stick perfectly.

Step 2: Dredge Chicken Pieces

Dunk each chicken piece first into the egg and buttermilk mixture, ensuring complete coverage.

Next, roll the chicken in the seasoned flour mixture, pressing gently to create a thick, even coating that will become wonderfully crispy when fried.

Step 3: Fry to Golden Perfection

Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or deep fryer until it reaches the ideal frying temperature.

Carefully lower chicken pieces into the hot oil, working in batches to maintain oil temperature.

Fry each batch until the exterior turns a gorgeous golden brown and the chicken is cooked completely through, typically taking 4-5 minutes.

Step 4: Create Signature Bang Bang Sauce

Whip up the signature sauce by combining in a small bowl:
  • Mayonnaise
  • Sweet chili sauce
  • Sriracha sauce
  • Rice vinegar
  • Honey

Whisk until the sauce becomes smooth and all ingredients are fully incorporated.

Step 5: Sauce and Coat Chicken

Transfer the crispy fried chicken to a large mixing bowl.

Pour the vibrant Bang Bang sauce over the chicken, gently tossing to ensure each piece is completely and deliciously coated.

Step 6: Plate and Garnish

Arrange the saucy chicken on a serving plate.

Sprinkle with freshly chopped green onions or cilantro for an extra burst of flavor.

Serve with additional sauce on the side for those who love an extra kick.

Bang Bang Chicken – Crispy Frying Tips

  • Use a wire rack when coating chicken to prevent soggy breading and ensure even coverage, allowing excess flour to fall away smoothly.
  • Keep oil consistently between 350-375°F for crispy, golden-brown chicken without absorbing excess grease, using a digital thermometer for accuracy.
  • Adjust sriracha and sweet chili sauce quantities to customize heat level, adding more or less based on personal spice tolerance for a personalized flavor profile.
  • Swap deep-frying with air-frying or baking chicken at 425°F for 20-25 minutes, achieving similar crispy texture with significantly reduced oil content.
  • Prepare chicken and sauce separately, storing in refrigerator for up to 3 days, allowing quick reheating and assembly when ready to serve for convenient meal planning.

Simple Steps to Store Bang Bang Chicken

  • Store leftover Bang Bang Chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F, place chicken on a baking sheet, cover with foil to prevent drying, and warm for 10-15 minutes until heated through.
  • Reheat chicken in short 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to ensure even heating and maintain crispiness.
  • Keep extra Bang Bang sauce separate when storing to prevent soggy chicken, adding it fresh when reheating for maximum flavor and texture.

Bang Bang Chicken Snack Matches

  • Perfectly Paired Flavor Companions
  • Crunch Cool Slaw Side: Whip up a tangy cabbage slaw with apple cider vinegar and fresh herbs to balance the spicy chicken's richness. The crisp, cool texture cuts through the sauce's heat beautifully.
  • Refreshing Rice Base: Serve atop steamed jasmine or coconut rice which absorbs the Bang Bang sauce wonderfully and provides a neutral canvas for the bold chicken flavors. The rice's subtle sweetness complements the spicy-sweet sauce.
  • Crisp Beer Companion: Select a light, hoppy lager or wheat beer that cleanses the palate between bites. The beer's carbonation and mild flavor perfectly neutralize the sauce's intense spiciness without overwhelming the dish.
  • Cooling Dip Option: Prepare a quick cucumber yogurt raita or ranch dressing as an optional cooling side that allows diners to adjust the heat level according to their preference.

Bang Bang Chicken Different Ways to Make It

  • Gluten-Free Option: Replace wheat flour with rice flour or gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Use cornstarch as a binding agent for crispy coating.
  • Low-Carb Alternative: Swap flour mixture with almond flour or crushed pork rinds for a crunchy exterior. Use sugar-free sweet chili sauce to reduce carbohydrates.
  • Baked Version: Instead of deep-frying, arrange coated chicken pieces on a wire rack over a baking sheet. Spray with cooking oil and bake at 425°F for 20-25 minutes until golden and crispy.
  • Dairy-Free Adaptation: Substitute buttermilk with unsweetened coconut milk or almond milk mixed with apple cider vinegar. Use vegan mayonnaise for the Bang Bang sauce to accommodate dairy-free diets.

FAQs

  • What is Bang Bang Sauce made of?

Bang Bang Sauce is a creamy, spicy mixture combining mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, rice vinegar, and honey. It creates a tangy and slightly sweet coating that gives the chicken its signature flavor.

  • How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?

Check the internal temperature of the chicken with a meat thermometer. It should reach 165°F (74°C). The chicken will also appear golden brown and crispy on the outside when properly cooked.

  • Can I use a different type of chicken for this recipe?

Yes, you can use boneless chicken thighs or chicken tenders instead of chicken breasts. Just ensure they are cut into similar-sized pieces for even cooking.

  • What's the best way to get a crispy coating on the chicken?

Ensure your oil is hot enough (around 350°F) before frying, and don’t overcrowd the pan. Pat the chicken dry before coating and use a mixture of flour and cornstarch for extra crispiness.

Print
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Irresistible Bang Bang Chicken Recipe

Irresistible Bang Bang Chicken Recipe


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4.6 from 29 reviews

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Sizzling Chinese bang bang chicken brings explosive flavor to your plate with its perfect blend of crispy texture and zesty sauce. Spicy, tangy, and utterly addictive, this dish promises to transport you straight to the heart of Sichuan cuisine.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Protein:

  • 1 lb (454 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces

Dry Coating Mix:

  • 1/2 cup (60 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup (30 grams) cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Wet Ingredients:

  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) buttermilk
  • Vegetable oil, for frying

Sauce Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup (60 grams) mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
  • 1 tablespoon sriracha sauce
  • 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon honey

Instructions

  1. Craft a seasoned flour mixture by blending dry ingredients, creating a complex flavor profile for coating the chicken.
  2. Prepare a liquid binding agent using egg and buttermilk to help the flour mixture adhere effectively to the chicken pieces.
  3. Meticulously dunk each chicken piece into the liquid mixture, ensuring complete coverage before generously dusting with the seasoned flour blend.
  4. Heat oil to an optimal temperature, maintaining a consistent medium-high heat that allows for even and crispy frying.
  5. Carefully lower chicken pieces into the hot oil, allowing them to transform into a golden-brown delicacy with a crisp exterior and juicy interior.
  6. Remove fried chicken and let excess oil drain on absorbent paper towels to maintain the perfect texture.
  7. Craft a vibrant Bang Bang sauce by whisking together creamy mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, spicy sriracha, tangy rice vinegar, and sweet honey.
  8. Transfer the crispy chicken into a spacious mixing bowl and gently cascade the sauce over the pieces, rotating to ensure each morsel is luxuriously coated.
  9. Plate the sauced chicken, garnishing with fresh green onions or cilantro to add a burst of color and additional flavor complexity.
  10. Serve immediately with extra sauce on the side, inviting diners to customize their culinary experience.

Notes

  • Ensure oil temperature stays around 350°F for crispy, evenly cooked chicken without burning.
  • Use a meat thermometer to check chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature for food safety.
  • Swap buttermilk with dairy-free alternatives like almond milk or coconut milk for lactose-intolerant diets.
  • Reduce sriracha sauce or replace with mild hot sauce for those who prefer less spicy flavors.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 570
  • Sugar: 5 g
  • Sodium: 500 mg
  • Fat: 34 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 41 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 24 g
  • Cholesterol: 130 mg
Katherine Pierce

Katherine Pierce

Recipe Curator & Food Educator

Expertise

  • Curating diverse recipe collections
  • Educating on global culinary traditions
  • Developing informative food content

Education

Boston University Metropolitan College
Certificate Program in the Culinary Arts
Focus: French and international cuisine techniques, Hands-on culinary training with industry professionals, Food industry insights and operations


Katherine grew up believing every dish has a story. She studied the art of food at Boston University and explored the history behind it. She loves pulling easy recipes from every corner of the world and putting them at your fingertips.
When Katherine’s not writing or testing new flavors, she’s teaching cooking classes, baking colorful mooncakes, or dreaming up new ways to mix old favorites with new twists.

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