Bang Bang Chicken Recipe
Crispy, juicy Bang Bang Chicken features tender chicken tenderloins coated in a flavorful buttermilk batter and crunchy panko breadcrumbs, fried to golden perfection and tossed in a creamy, sweet-and-spicy Bang Bang sauce. This irresistible dish offers a delightful blend of textures and bold flavors, perfect as an appetizer or main course.
- Author: SANA
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main-course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian-American
- Diet: Halal
For the Bang Bang Sauce
- 1 cup (232 g) mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup (132 g) Thai sweet chili sauce
- 1 teaspoon Sriracha (or more to taste)
- 2 tablespoons honey
For the Chicken
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken tenderloins
- 1 cup (245 g) buttermilk
- 3/4 cup (94 g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup (64 g) cornstarch
- 1 large egg (room temperature)
- 1 tablespoon Sriracha
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 2 cups (216 g) panko breadcrumbs, plain
For Frying & Garnish
- Canola oil, for frying
- Parsley, chopped, for garnish
- Make the Bang Bang Sauce: In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and honey. Mix thoroughly until smooth and well blended. Set aside until ready to use.
- Prepare the Chicken Batter: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together buttermilk, flour, cornstarch, egg, Sriracha, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper (if using). Mix until well combined and smooth.
- Coat the Chicken: Add the chicken tenderloins to the batter and toss to ensure each piece is fully coated. On a separate shallow plate, spread out the panko breadcrumbs in an even layer.
- Bread the Chicken: Working one piece at a time, remove chicken from batter (letting excess drip off), then dredge in panko breadcrumbs. Press gently to help the breadcrumbs adhere, and set on a clean plate. Repeat with remaining pieces.
- Heat the Oil: Pour about 1 inch of canola oil into a large skillet. Heat over medium-high until the oil reaches 365°F (185°C).
- Fry the Chicken: Working in batches to avoid crowding, add breaded chicken pieces to the hot oil. Cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side, until golden brown and cooked through (the internal temperature should reach 165°F/74°C). Repeat with all chicken pieces, making sure the oil returns to temperature between batches.
- Drain and Toss: Transfer fried chicken to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Move to a serving platter and toss with the prepared bang bang sauce.
- Serve: Garnish with chopped parsley and serve warm for best texture and flavor.
Notes
- For extra spice, increase the amount of Sriracha in the sauce or batter.
- Make sure oil is at correct temperature for crispier, less greasy chicken.
- Can be served as appetizer over lettuce or as a main with rice or noodles.
- Leftover sauce makes a great dip for fries or veggies.
- Use a thermometer to avoid under- or over-cooking the chicken.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 1100mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 26g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 132mg
Keywords: Bang Bang Chicken, crispy chicken, sweet chili sauce, fried chicken, spicy chicken, Asian fusion, appetizer, main course