Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bold Flavor: The creamy bang bang sauce combines sweetness, heat, and tanginess for a perfect balance.
- Crispy Perfection: The panko coating ensures the chicken is crunchy and golden-brown with every bite.
- Easy to Make: Straightforward steps make this recipe approachable, even for beginners.
- Customizable: Adjust the spice level to suit your preference.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for parties, family dinners, or game-day snacks.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Bang Bang Sauce
- Mayonnaise
- Thai sweet chili sauce
- Sriracha
- Honey
Chicken
- Boneless, skinless chicken tenderloins
- Buttermilk
- All-purpose flour
- Cornstarch
- Egg
- Sriracha
- Garlic powder
- Kosher salt
- Black pepper
- Cayenne pepper (optional)
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Canola oil (for frying)
- Parsley (for garnish)
Directions
- Prepare the Bang Bang Sauce: In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and honey. Set aside.
- Marinate the Chicken: In a medium mixing bowl, combine buttermilk, flour, cornstarch, egg, Sriracha, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and optional cayenne pepper. Whisk until smooth. Add the chicken tenderloins, ensuring they are fully coated.
- Bread the Chicken: Place panko breadcrumbs on a shallow plate. Remove each chicken piece from the batter, shaking off excess, and dredge in panko. Press gently to adhere. Repeat for all chicken pieces.
- Fry the Chicken: Heat about an inch of canola oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it reaches 365°F. Fry chicken in batches for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden-brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
- Serve: Toss the fried chicken with bang bang sauce, garnish with chopped parsley, and serve warm.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 4-6
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
Variations
- Baked Bang Bang Chicken: Instead of frying, bake the chicken at 400°F for 20-25 minutes or until crispy.
- Air Fryer Option: Cook the breaded chicken in an air fryer at 375°F for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Vegetarian Twist: Substitute the chicken with tofu or cauliflower florets for a vegetarian option.
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs and flour.
- Extra Spicy: Add more Sriracha or a pinch of chili flakes to the sauce.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store leftover chicken and sauce separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Reheat the chicken in an oven at 350°F for 10 minutes to maintain crispiness. Toss with sauce just before serving.
FAQs
1. Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the sauce and bread the chicken in advance. Fry the chicken just before serving for optimal crispiness.
2. How do I ensure the chicken stays crispy?
Fry in small batches to avoid overcrowding, and make sure the oil temperature stays consistent.
3. What can I use as a substitute for buttermilk?
You can use regular milk with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar as a substitute.
4. Can I use chicken breasts instead of tenderloins?
Yes, slice chicken breasts into strips for a similar result.
5. What oil is best for frying?
Canola oil, vegetable oil, or peanut oil works well due to their high smoke points.
6. Can I make this dish less spicy?
Reduce or omit the Sriracha in the sauce and batter for a milder version.
7. Is Bang Bang Chicken gluten-free?
Not by default, but you can make it gluten-free by using gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs.
8. Can I freeze the cooked chicken?
Yes, freeze the fried chicken in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Reheat in an oven or air fryer for best results.
9. Can I use premade bang bang sauce?
Yes, but making it fresh allows you to adjust the flavors to your liking.
10. What can I serve with Bang Bang Chicken?
Pair it with rice, a fresh salad, or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
Conclusion
Bang Bang Chicken is a sensational dish that combines crispy fried chicken with a sweet and spicy sauce for a flavor-packed experience. Whether you’re serving it as an appetizer or a main dish, its versatility and bold taste make it a favorite for any occasion. Try it today and enjoy a restaurant-quality dish at home!
Bang Bang Chicken
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings
Description
Bang Bang Chicken is a crispy, golden-fried delight coated in a creamy, sweet, and spicy bang bang sauce. This irresistible dish is perfect as an appetizer or main course for family dinners, parties, or game-day snacks.
Ingredients
Bang Bang Sauce:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup Thai sweet chili sauce
- 1 tbsp Sriracha (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp honey
Chicken:
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken tenderloins
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp Sriracha
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- Canola oil (for frying)
- Fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Bang Bang Sauce:
- Mix mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and honey in a bowl. Set aside.
- Marinate the Chicken:
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together buttermilk, flour, cornstarch, egg, Sriracha, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and cayenne (if using).
- Add chicken tenderloins, ensuring full coverage.
- Bread the Chicken:
- Spread panko breadcrumbs on a plate.
- Remove chicken pieces from batter, shake off excess, and dredge in panko, pressing gently to adhere.
- Fry the Chicken:
- Heat 1 inch of canola oil in a skillet to 365°F (185°C).
- Fry chicken in batches for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp of 165°F).
- Drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
- Serve:
- Toss fried chicken with bang bang sauce, garnish with parsley, and serve warm.
Notes
- For a less spicy version, reduce Sriracha in both the sauce and batter.
- To ensure crispy chicken, fry in small batches and maintain consistent oil temperature.
- Store leftover sauce and chicken separately for best texture when reheating.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Fusion