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Crispy Bang Bang Chicken: Easy Weeknight Dinner Recipe

Close-up of crispy, saucy pieces of Bang Bang Chicken piled high on a white plate.
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Make restaurant-style Bang Bang Chicken at home. This recipe focuses on achieving extra crispy chicken tenders tossed in a creamy, sweet, and spicy sauce, perfect for a quick weeknight meal or appetizer.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or tenders, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • Vegetable oil, for frying
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
  • 2 tablespoons sriracha (adjust to your spice preference)
  • 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

  1. Place the cut chicken pieces in a bowl and cover them completely with buttermilk. Let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours in the refrigerator.
  2. Prepare the dredging station. In one shallow dish, combine the flour, salt, and pepper. In a second shallow dish, place the Panko breadcrumbs.
  3. Heat about 1.5 inches of vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed pot or deep skillet to 350°F (175°C). Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature.
  4. Working in batches, remove the chicken from the buttermilk, letting excess drip off. Dredge the chicken first in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Then, press the floured chicken firmly into the Panko breadcrumbs to coat completely.
  5. Carefully place the breaded chicken into the hot oil, ensuring you do not overcrowd the pan. Fry for 4 to 6 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F or 74°C).
  6. Remove the cooked chicken with a slotted spoon and place it on a wire rack set over a baking sheet to drain excess oil.
  7. While the chicken drains, prepare the Bang Bang Sauce. In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, rice vinegar, and garlic powder until smooth and fully combined.
  8. Place the crispy chicken pieces into a large bowl. Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken and gently toss until every piece is evenly coated.
  9. Serve immediately over rice or with a side salad for an easy chicken dinner.

Notes

  • For an air fryer bang bang chicken option, spray the breaded chicken lightly with cooking spray and air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
  • If you prefer a thicker coating, you can double-dip the chicken: flour, then egg wash (not used here to keep it simple), then Panko.
  • To make this a Bang Bang Chicken Bowl, serve the sauced chicken over cooked jasmine rice and top with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://dishicious.com/bang-bang-chicken-recipe-easy-dinner/