Crispy Bang Bang Chicken Recipe

Sizzling Crispy Bang Bang Chicken Recipe Everyone Loves

Biting into a perfectly crispy bang bang chicken that shatters delicately with each mouthwatering crunch.

Saucy and bold flavors dance across your palate, creating an instant culinary love affair.

Tender chicken pieces wear a golden, crackling coat that promises irresistible texture and taste.

Zesty sauce drizzled generously brings a tangy spark to every single bite.

This recipe combines simple ingredients with a technique that transforms ordinary chicken into an extraordinary meal.

Spice levels can be adjusted to match your personal heat tolerance.

Come hungry and leave absolutely delighted by this crowd-pleasing dish that will have everyone asking for seconds.

What Makes Crispy Bang Bang Chicken So Hard to Resist

  • Unleash Explosive Flavor: The bang bang sauce combines creamy mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, spicy sriracha, and honey, creating a mind-blowing taste explosion that tingles every taste bud.
  • Achieve Restaurant-Quality Crunch: The triple-layer breading technique with buttermilk, seasoned flour, and panko breadcrumbs guarantees an incredibly crispy exterior that delivers satisfying crackle with every bite.
  • Speed Up Weeknight Dinner: This recipe takes just 20 minutes from start to finish, making it perfect for busy families craving restaurant-style chicken without complicated preparation or lengthy cooking times.
  • Customize Your Spice Level: Easy sauce adjustment allows everyone to control the heat, ensuring kids and spice-lovers alike can enjoy this crowd-pleasing chicken dish with personalized flavor intensity.

What You Need to Make Crispy Bang Bang Chicken

Main Ingredients:

Chicken Protein:
  • Chicken Breasts: Tender meat that provides the base for this crispy dish, best when fresh and boneless.
Coating Ingredients:
  • Buttermilk, Egg: Creates a rich, tangy marinade that helps breading stick to chicken and adds moisture.
  • Flour, Cornstarch: Provides a light, crispy exterior with balanced texture and helps create golden crust.
  • Panko Breadcrumbs: Adds extra crunchiness and creates a light, airy coating for the chicken.
Sauce Ingredients:
  • Mayonnaise, Sweet Chili Sauce, Sriracha, Honey: Combines sweet, spicy, and creamy flavors for a signature bang bang sauce, allowing customization of heat level.
Seasoning and Cooking Ingredients:
  • Salt, Pepper: Enhances overall flavor of the chicken and breading.
  • Cooking Oil: Enables deep frying and creates crispy exterior for the chicken.

How to Cook Crispy Bang Bang Chicken at Home

Step 1: Whip Up The Zesty Sauce

In a mixing bowl, blend together:
  • Creamy mayonnaise
  • Sweet chili sauce
  • Fiery sriracha
  • Golden honey

Taste and adjust spiciness. Stash in the refrigerator to let flavors mingle.

Step 2: Prepare Chicken Coating

Create two separate bowls:

First bowl: Whisk together

  • Tangy buttermilk
  • Fresh egg

Second bowl: Mix thoroughly

  • All-purpose flour
  • Cornstarch
  • Salt
  • Black pepper

Dunk each chicken piece into buttermilk mixture, then roll generously in flour blend. For ultimate crispiness, roll in crunchy panko breadcrumbs.

Step 3: Sizzle To Perfection

Heat oil in a deep skillet or fryer to 350°F/175°C. Carefully lower chicken pieces into hot oil, cooking in small batches. Fry each side for 2-3 minutes until achieving a gorgeous golden-brown color. Transfer crispy pieces onto paper towels to drain excess oil.

Step 4: Sauce And Serve

Gently toss each crispy chicken piece in the prepared bang bang sauce, ensuring complete coverage. Plate immediately while still piping hot and wonderfully crunchy. Garnish with chopped green onions or sesame seeds for extra pizzazz.

Simple Tricks for Crispy Bang Bang Chicken Success

  • Customize Spice Levels: Adjust sriracha and sweet chili sauce to match your heat tolerance, making the dish mild or fiery hot.
  • Perfect Breading Technique: Press panko breadcrumbs firmly onto chicken to ensure a super crispy, even coating that won't fall off during frying.
  • Oil Temperature Matters: Use a kitchen thermometer to maintain exact 350F for golden, crisp chicken without greasy texture.
  • Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap regular flour with gluten-free flour blend and use gluten-free panko for celiac-friendly version.
  • Meal Prep Hack: Prepare sauce and breadcrumb mixture in advance, storing separately to speed up cooking process when ready to serve.

Best Way to Store and Reheat Crispy Bang Bang Chicken

  • Refrigerate: Store crispy bang bang chicken in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Keep sauce separately to maintain crispiness.
  • Reheat Oven: Preheat oven to 375F. Place chicken on a wire rack over a baking sheet. Warm for 10-12 minutes until heated through, restoring some crunchiness.
  • Microwave Caution: Avoid microwaving, as it will make chicken soggy. If needed, use short 30-second intervals at 50% power, checking texture.
  • Sauce Refresh: Warm reserved sauce separately and drizzle over reheated chicken to revive original flavors and moisture.

Tasty Pairings That Go Well with Crispy Bang Bang Chicken

  • Spice Up with Craft Beer: Pair this crispy chicken with a hoppy IPA that cuts through the rich, creamy sauce and complements the spicy sriracha kick.
  • Fresh Salad Companion: Serve alongside a crisp Asian-inspired slaw with rice vinegar and sesame oil to balance the chicken's heavy, crunchy texture and cool down the heat.
  • Refreshing Citrus Drink: Enjoy with a chilled lemonade or sparkling yuzu drink that provides a tangy contrast to the sweet and spicy bang bang sauce.
  • Cool Dipping Station: Offer extra bang bang sauce, plus a light ranch or blue cheese dip for those who want additional flavor variety and cooling effect.

Fun Flavor Twists for Crispy Bang Bang Chicken

  • Spicy Honey Glazed Version: Replace sweet chili sauce with pure honey and add extra red pepper flakes for a fiery kick. Increases the heat level while maintaining a sweet undertone.
  • Mediterranean Herb Crunch: Swap sriracha for dried oregano and za'atar spice blend. Mix in some lemon zest to the breading for a bright, herbal flavor profile.
  • Korean-Inspired Gochujang Chicken: Substitute bang bang sauce with gochujang paste, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and green onions for an authentic Korean touch.
  • Low-Carb Almond Crusted Option: Replace panko breadcrumbs with crushed almonds for the coating. Use almond flour instead of regular flour to create a protein-rich, gluten-free alternative that maintains the signature crispiness.

Answers to Your Crispy Bang Bang Chicken Questions

  • What makes this chicken extra crispy?

The combination of buttermilk, flour, cornstarch, and panko breadcrumbs creates an incredibly crunchy coating. The buttermilk helps tenderize the meat, while the multiple coating layers ensure a super crisp exterior when fried.

  • How spicy is bang bang sauce?

The spice level is totally customizable! You can adjust the amount of sriracha to make it mild or hot. Start with a small amount and add more if you want extra heat. The honey and mayonnaise help balance out the spiciness.

  • Can I use a different type of chicken?

Absolutely! This recipe works great with chicken tenders, chicken thighs, or even cut-up chicken breasts. Just make sure to cut the pieces to a similar size so they cook evenly and maintain that perfect crispy texture.

  • Do I need a deep fryer for this recipe?

Not at all! You can use a heavy-bottomed pot or large skillet with enough oil to cover the bottom. The key is maintaining the right oil temperature around 350F to get that golden, crispy exterior without making the chicken greasy.

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Crispy Bang Bang Chicken Recipe

Crispy Bang Bang Chicken Recipe


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4.9 from 19 reviews

  • Total Time: 30-35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Savory bang bang chicken delivers a symphony of crispy, spicy flavors that dance across your palate with irresistible Asian-inspired zest. Delightful textures and bold seasonings promise a delectable meal you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Proteins:

  • 1 pound (453 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 large egg

Breading and Coating:

  • 0.75 cup all-purpose flour
  • 0.5 cup cornstarch
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Liquid and Marinade Ingredients:

  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • Vegetable oil (for frying)

Sauce Ingredients:

  • 0.5 cup mayonnaise
  • 0.25 cup sweet chili sauce
  • 1 to 1.5 tablespoons sriracha
  • 1 tablespoon honey

Instructions

  1. Craft the zesty sauce by whisking mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and honey in a small mixing vessel. Fine-tune the heat level to personal preference. Seal and chill the sauce to allow flavors to meld.
  2. Prepare the chicken coating station by creating two separate shallow containers. In the first container, vigorously blend buttermilk with egg until thoroughly combined. In the second container, thoroughly mix flour, cornstarch, salt, and pepper.
  3. Dredge each chicken piece through the buttermilk-egg mixture, ensuring complete coverage. Immediately transfer the moistened chicken to the seasoned flour mixture, coating comprehensively and shaking off excess.
  4. Roll the flour-coated chicken through panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to create an extra crispy exterior that will provide satisfying crunch.
  5. Heat cooking oil in a deep skillet or fryer to precisely 350F. Carefully lower chicken pieces into the hot oil, maintaining a consistent temperature. Fry in small batches to prevent overcrowding, which can reduce crispiness.
  6. Cook chicken for approximately 2-3 minutes per side, rotating once to achieve an even golden-brown color and ensuring internal temperature reaches safe consumption levels.
  7. Transfer fried chicken to a paper towel-lined surface to drain excess oil and maintain optimal crispiness.
  8. Generously coat the hot, crispy chicken pieces with the prepared bang bang sauce, ensuring each morsel is thoroughly and evenly glazed.
  9. Serve immediately while the chicken remains piping hot and wonderfully crunchy.

Notes

  • Add a splash of hot sauce to the buttermilk mixture for extra heat and depth of flavor.
  • Ensure oil temperature stays consistent around 350F to achieve perfectly crispy exterior without burning.
  • Pat chicken pieces dry before breading to help the coating stick better and create a crunchier texture.
  • Use a wire rack instead of paper towels when draining fried chicken to maintain crispiness and prevent sogginess.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 485
  • Sugar: 5 g
  • Sodium: 800 mg
  • Fat: 24 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 21 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 42 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 25 g
  • Cholesterol: 85 mg
Isabella Rossi

Isabella Rossi

Founder & Culinary Content Creator

Expertise

Recipe Development​, Traditional Irish and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education​

Education

Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) – School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology

  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development.​

Ballymaloe Cookery School

  • Program: 12-Week Certificate Course
  • Focus: Intensive, hands-on experience emphasizing farm-to-table cooking and sustainable practices.​

Liam is the voice behind many of Craft Meats’ most flavorful features. With roots in Dublin’s smoky barbecue scene and a culinary degree from the Dublin Institute of Technology, he brings time-tested cooking techniques to life. 

His training at Ballymaloe Cookery School sharpened his farm-to-table approach, giving him a deep respect for every ingredient he writes about.

He’s not about overcomplicating the process, just helping you cook meat that’s worth talking about. When he’s not writing or grilling, he’s out foraging or nerding out on regional spice blends to add to his next recipe.

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