If you love the perfect combination of crispy chicken, creamy sauce, and a little kick of spice, Bang Bang Chicken is your ultimate go-to recipe. This crowd-pleasing dish is quick to make, deliciously saucy, and perfect as a main course or party appetizer. With its tangy, sweet, and spicy flavors, it’s a guaranteed hit for family dinners, potlucks, or game-day snacks.
Why You’ll Love Bang Bang Chicken
- ✔ Crispy, golden chicken every time
- ✔ Creamy, tangy, and spicy sauce
- ✔ Quick and easy to make at home
- ✔ Perfect for serving with rice, noodles, or salad
- ✔ Kid-friendly and crowd-pleasing
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- Vegetable oil, for frying
For the Bang Bang Sauce
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sweet chili sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1–2 teaspoons sriracha (adjust for heat)
- 1 teaspoon lime juice (optional)
Optional Garnishes
- Chopped green onions
- Sesame seeds
- Lime wedges
How to Make Bang Bang Chicken
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
- Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels.
- In a bowl, mix flour, cornstarch, salt, and pepper.
- Dip chicken pieces in the beaten eggs, then coat evenly with the flour mixture.
Step 2: Fry the Chicken
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or deep fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Fry chicken in batches until golden brown and cooked through, about 3–5 minutes per batch.
- Drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
Step 3: Make the Bang Bang Sauce
- In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, honey, sriracha, and lime juice (if using) until smooth.
- Taste and adjust spiciness or sweetness according to preference.
Step 4: Toss Chicken in Sauce
- Place fried chicken in a large bowl.
- Pour the sauce over the chicken and toss until every piece is coated evenly.
Step 5: Serve
- Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds.
- Serve immediately with steamed rice, noodles, or a fresh salad.
- Optional: squeeze lime over the top for extra brightness.
Tips for the Best Bang Bang Chicken
- Don’t overcrowd the pan when frying – it ensures crispy chicken.
- Use cornstarch and flour mixture for the perfect crunchy coating.
- Adjust spice level – add more sriracha for heat or reduce it for kids.
- Make it lighter – bake the chicken at 400°F (200°C) for 20 minutes instead of frying.
Variations
1. Bang Bang Shrimp
Swap chicken for peeled shrimp; fry or bake and toss in the same sauce.
2. Bang Bang Cauliflower (Vegetarian)
Coat cauliflower florets and bake or fry for a delicious meatless option.
3. Oven-Baked Bang Bang Chicken
For a healthier twist, bake chicken coated in oil-sprayed flour mixture at 400°F (200°C) for 20–25 minutes until crispy.
4. Bang Bang Chicken Tacos
Serve the saucy chicken in tortillas with shredded lettuce, cheese, and avocado.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with steamed jasmine or basmati rice
- Pair with stir-fried vegetables
- Serve as an appetizer with toothpicks for parties
- Add to salads or bowls for a full meal
Storage
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven or air fryer to retain crispiness.
- Freezing: Not recommended for fried chicken as it may lose crunchiness. Sauce can be stored separately in the fridge for up to a week.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this healthier?
Yes! Bake instead of fry and use light mayonnaise for a lighter version.
Can I make the sauce ahead of time?
Yes! Prepare the sauce a day ahead and store in the fridge. Add to chicken just before serving.
Can I use chicken tenders?
Absolutely! Chicken tenders or strips work perfectly for this recipe.
How spicy is it?
The heat comes from sriracha; adjust to your preference or omit for a milder version.
Final Thoughts
Bang Bang Chicken is the perfect combination of crispy, saucy, sweet, and spicy. Easy to make, packed with flavor, and versatile enough for a quick weeknight dinner or a fun appetizer for parties, this dish is guaranteed to be a hit. Serve it with rice, noodles, or on its own and enjoy the bold, irresistible flavors!
Print
Bang Bang Chicken – Sweet, Spicy, and Crispy
Ingredients
• 1 lb boneless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1″ pieces
• 1 cup cornstarch (or almond flour for keto)
• 2 tbsp neutral oil (for air frying or pan-frying)
• ¼ cup mayonnaise (real, full-fat)
• 2 tbsp sweet chili sauce (or sugar-free: 1 tbsp sugar-free syrup + 1 tsp sriracha)
• 1 tbsp sriracha (adjust to heat preference)
• 1 tbsp honey (or sugar-free maple syrup)
• 1 tsp rice vinegar
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• Optional toppings:
• 2 tbsp crushed peanuts or cashews
• 2 green onions, sliced
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds
• Shredded cabbage or lettuce for serving
Instructions
- Crisp the chicken:
→ Air fryer (best!): Toss chicken in cornstarch. Spray lightly with oil. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) 10–12 mins, shaking halfway, until golden and crisp.
→ Pan-fry: Heat oil in skillet. Cook chicken in batches 4–5 mins per side until deep golden. Drain on paper towels. - Make sauce: Whisk mayo, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, rice vinegar, and garlic powder until smooth and glossy.
- In a large bowl, toss hot chicken with sauce until fully coated.
- Serve immediately over shredded cabbage or lettuce. Top with peanuts, green onions, and sesame seeds.
PREP TIME & NUTRITION :
Prep Time: 10 mins, Cook Time: 12 mins, Total Time: 22 mins, Servings: 4
Calories: 380, Net Carbs: 12g, Fats: 24g, Protein: 30g
✅ Keto-friendly with almond flour + sugar-free swaps — net carbs drop to ~4g/serving!