Crispy Bang Bang Chicken Recipe

Irresistibly Crispy Bang Bang Chicken Recipe for Spicy Fans

Chicken takes center stage in this crispy bang bang chicken recipe that’ll make your taste buds dance with excitement.

The secret lies in the perfect blend of crunchy coating and zesty sauce that transforms a simple meal into a culinary adventure.

Each bite promises a delightful explosion of flavors that’ll have you craving more.

Tucked beneath a golden, crackling exterior, tender meat awaits your first mouthwatering encounter.

Our version brings restaurant-quality magic straight to your kitchen with minimal fuss and maximum satisfaction.

The combination of spicy, creamy sauce and crisp chicken creates an irresistible harmony that’ll impress even the pickiest eaters.

You won’t be able to resist coming back for seconds of this crowd-pleasing dish that turns an ordinary dinner into an extraordinary experience.

Why Bang Bang Chicken Turns Heads

  • Easily adjust the sriracha and sweet chili sauce to match your spice preference, making it a versatile dish for everyone from mild-loving kids to spice-seeking adults.
  • Achieve professional-level crispy texture through the triple-dredging technique with buttermilk, flour mixture, and panko breadcrumbs, creating an irresistibly crunchy exterior that rivals takeout.
  • The bang bang sauce combines creamy, sweet, and spicy elements that transform simple fried chicken into an exciting, flavor-packed meal that will have everyone asking for seconds.

What Goes Into Bang Bang Chicken

Main Ingredients:

Chicken: Tender protein as the star of the dish, boneless and skinless chicken recommended for best texture.

Panko Breadcrumbs: Provides ultimate crispy exterior, Japanese-style breadcrumbs offer extra crunchiness.

Coating Ingredients:

Buttermilk, Egg: Helps breading stick to chicken, creates a moist and rich base for coating.

Flour, Cornstarch, Salt, Pepper: Creates a crisp protective layer, cornstarch ensures extra crispiness.

Sauce Ingredients:

Mayonnaise, Sweet Chili Sauce, Sriracha, Honey: Builds a creamy, spicy, and sweet sauce with balanced flavor profile, sriracha adds heat and complexity.

Cooking Ingredients:

Vegetable Oil: Essential for deep frying, neutral flavor allows chicken and seasoning to shine.

Crisping Up That Bang Bang Chicken Just Right

Step 1: Whip Up Signature Sauce

  • Mayonnaise
  • Sweet chili sauce
  • Sriracha
  • Honey

In a small bowl, blend all sauce ingredients until smooth. Taste and adjust spiciness. Stash in refrigerator to chill.

Step 2: Prepare Chicken Coating

  • Buttermilk
  • Egg
  • All-purpose flour
  • Cornstarch
  • Salt
  • Black pepper
  • Panko breadcrumbs

Create two separate bowls. In first bowl, whisk buttermilk and egg together. In second bowl, mix flour, cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Dunk each chicken piece into buttermilk mixture, ensuring full coverage. Roll thoroughly in flour mixture. Finish by rolling in panko for extra crispiness.

Step 3: Fry to Golden Perfection

Heat vegetable oil in deep skillet or Dutch oven until temperature reaches 350°F. Carefully lower chicken pieces into hot oil. Fry each batch for 2-3 minutes per side until exterior turns golden brown and crispy. Use tongs to remove chicken. Place on paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

Step 4: Sauce and Serve

Toss hot, crispy chicken pieces in prepared bang bang sauce. Ensure every piece gets completely coated. Transfer to serving platter immediately. Garnish with chopped green onions or sesame seeds if desired.

Crispy Bang Bang Chicken Cooking Hacks

  • Master the Sauce Balance: Adjust spice levels by gradually adding sriracha, tasting as you mix to create your perfect bang bang sauce heat.
  • Bread for Maximum Crunch: Double-coat chicken by dipping in buttermilk, then flour mixture, and finally roll in panko for an extra crispy exterior.
  • Control Oil Temperature: Use a kitchen thermometer to maintain consistent 350F oil heat, ensuring evenly cooked and golden chicken without burning.
  • Drain Excess Oil Properly: Let fried chicken rest on paper towels to absorb extra oil, keeping the coating crisp and preventing soggy texture.
  • Serve Immediately Hot: Toss chicken in bang bang sauce right before serving to preserve the crispy coating and enjoy maximum flavor and texture.

Best Storage for Bang Bang Chicken Leftovers

  • Store leftover crispy bang bang chicken in an airtight container for up to 3 days, keeping the sauce separate to maintain crispiness.
  • Preheat oven to 375F, place chicken on a wire rack, and bake 8-10 minutes until heated through and crispy, restoring original texture.
  • Avoid microwaving, as it will make the chicken soggy and lose its signature crunch.
  • Warm bang bang sauce separately and drizzle over chicken just before serving to refresh flavors and maintain optimal crispiness.

Tasty Combos for Bang Bang Chicken

  • Pair crispy bang bang chicken with a zesty Asian slaw that adds fresh crunch and balanced acidity to cut through the rich, spicy sauce.
  • Select a chilled Thai iced tea or light lager beer to cool down the sriracha heat and complement the dish's creamy, spicy profile.
  • Add steamed jasmine rice to soak up extra bang bang sauce, creating a perfect base that absorbs and enhances the chicken's vibrant flavors.
  • Sprinkle chopped green onions and cilantro on top to introduce bright, fresh notes that elevate the overall taste experience and provide visual appeal.

Switch Things Up with Bang Bang Chicken

  • Gluten-Free Crunch: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Use gluten-free panko for coating to maintain crispy texture while accommodating gluten sensitivities.
  • Baked Lighter Version: Skip deep-frying and arrange breaded chicken pieces on a wire rack over a baking sheet. Spray with olive oil and bake at 425F for 20-25 minutes, turning halfway through for even browning.
  • Dairy-Free Alternative: Substitute buttermilk with unsweetened almond milk mixed with apple cider vinegar. Use vegan mayonnaise in the bang bang sauce for a completely dairy-free option.
  • Spicy Herb Remix: Add chopped fresh cilantro or green onions to the bang bang sauce. Incorporate dried herbs like thyme or oregano into the flour mixture for an extra layer of flavor complexity.
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Crispy Bang Bang Chicken Recipe

Crispy Bang Bang Chicken Recipe


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4.7 from 11 reviews

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

Description

Crispy bang bang chicken unleashes a flavor explosion that dances across taste buds with perfect spicy-sweet harmony. Crunchy coating and zesty sauce create an irresistible dish that will make dinner guests crave more.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Protein:

  • 1 lb (454 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces

Coating Ingredients:

  • 1 cup buttermilk (or milk with a splash of vinegar as a substitute)
  • 1 large egg
  • ¾ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup cornstarch
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Sauce Ingredients:

  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup sweet chili sauce
  • 1 ½ tablespoons sriracha (adjust to taste)
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • Oil for frying (vegetable or canola)

Instructions

  1. Craft the signature bang bang sauce by whisking mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and honey in a mixing vessel. Fine-tune the heat level according to personal preference. Seal and chill the sauce until serving time.
  2. Create a breading station with two separate containers: one for the liquid mixture of buttermilk and egg, another for the dry blend of flour, cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Immerse each chicken morsel into the buttermilk solution, ensuring complete coverage, then transfer to the seasoned flour mixture. Generously roll the coated pieces in panko breadcrumbs to achieve maximum textural crispiness.
  3. Prepare a deep skillet or fryer, heating the oil to a precise 350F (175C). Carefully lower chicken pieces into the hot oil, working in small batches to maintain optimal temperature. Fry each side for 2-3 minutes until achieving a rich golden-brown exterior and ensuring thorough internal cooking.
  4. Drain the freshly fried chicken on a paper towel-lined surface to eliminate excess oil. Immediately transfer the crisp pieces into the chilled bang bang sauce, gently tossing to coat each piece uniformly. Plate and serve while the chicken remains piping hot and supremely crunchy.

Notes

  • Control oil temperature precisely to ensure golden, crispy exterior without burning the chicken coating.
  • Create gluten-free version by substituting regular flour with rice flour or gluten-free all-purpose blend.
  • Allow buttermilk-egg mixture to cling thoroughly to chicken for better breading adhesion and crunchier texture.
  • Pat chicken pieces dry before dipping to help breading stick more effectively and prevent soggy results.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 600
  • Sugar: 5g
  • Sodium: 800mg
  • Fat: 35g
  • Saturated Fat: 6g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 25g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 50g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 25g
  • Cholesterol: 110mg
Daves Miller

Daves Miller

Contributing Chef & Culinary Educator

Expertise

  • American Southern cuisine with a modern twist.
  • Instruction in culinary fundamentals and advanced techniques.
  • Development of recipes that highlight seasonal and local produce.​
  • Mastery of artisanal bread and pastry techniques, from laminated doughs to decorative sugar artistry.

Education

Sullivan University, Louisville, Kentucky

  • Degree: Associate of Science Degree in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Specialized in cooking techniques and culinary sciences, hands‑on externships, professional kitchen lab training, and career preparation for restaurants, entrepreneurship, and global culinary opportunities.

White Mountains Community College, Berlin, New Hampshire

  • Program: Baking and Pastry Arts degree
  • Focus: Specialized in comprehensive baking and pastry arts, including bread making, artisan breads, cake decorating and design, chocolates, confections, and decorative centerpieces; product development and baking theory; and career preparation for baker and pastry chef roles in many places.

Daves is the friendly face guiding you through flavorful, fuss-free recipes at Picture Perfect Meals. 

He studied culinary arts at Sullivan University and embraced Baking and Pastry Arts at White Mountains Community College. Daves specializes in comforting meals with vibrant flavors, highlighting fresh, seasonal ingredients.

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