Crispy Bang Bang Chicken: Spicy & Irresistible (Print Version)
Make spicy Bang Bang Chicken at home! Crispy fried chicken bites drenched in a creamy, sweet, and fiery sauce. My kitchen's favorite, simple to make!
# Recipe Info:
Prep Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Difficulty: Intermediate
Cuisine: Sichuan-inspired, American-Chinese
Dietary: Contains Gluten, Dairy, Soy, Sesame (can be made Gluten-Free with swaps)
# Ingredients:
→ Chicken & Coating
01 -
1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
02 -
1/2 cup buttermilk
03 -
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
04 -
1/4 cup cornstarch
05 -
1 tsp salt
06 -
1/2 tsp black pepper
07 -
3-4 cups vegetable oil, for frying
→ Bang Bang Sauce
08 -
1/2 cup mayonnaise (full-fat!)
09 -
1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
10 -
2 tbsp Sriracha (adjust to taste)
11 -
1 tbsp honey
12 -
1 tbsp rice vinegar
13 -
1 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
14 -
1 tsp toasted sesame oil
→ Serving Essentials
15 -
Cooked jasmine rice
16 -
Sliced cucumber (optional)
→ Garnish & Flair
17 -
2 green onions, thinly sliced
18 -
1 tsp sesame seeds
# Instructions:
01 -
First things first, let's get that chicken ready for our Bang Bang Chicken adventure! Cut your chicken breasts into roughly 1-inch bite-sized pieces. Try to keep them even so they cook at the same rate. Place the chicken in a bowl, pour in the buttermilk, and give it a good stir to coat everything. Let it sit for at least 15 minutes, or even better, an hour in the fridge. This step is a game-changer for tender chicken, honestly – I used to skip it and regret it every time!
02 -
While the chicken is doing its thing, grab a shallow dish or a Ziploc bag. Whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, salt, and black pepper. Now, fish the chicken pieces out of the buttermilk (no need to drain them perfectly, a little drip is fine!) and dredge them thoroughly in the flour mixture. Make sure each piece is completely coated. This is where my kitchen gets messy, I won't lie! I usually end up with flour on my nose. Don't be afraid to really press the coating onto the chicken; it helps with the crispiness.
03 -
Heat about 2-3 inches of vegetable oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until it reaches 350-375°F (175-190°C). If you don't have a thermometer, drop a tiny bit of flour in – it should sizzle immediately. Carefully add the chicken pieces in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Overcrowding drops the oil temperature, leading to soggy chicken, a mistake I've made more times than I care to admit! Fry for 4-6 minutes, flipping occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. It smells incredible at this point!
04 -
While the chicken is frying, let's get saucy! In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, honey, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and toasted sesame oil. Give it a good whisk until it's smooth and creamy. Taste it! This is your moment to adjust the heat (more Sriracha!) or sweetness (more honey!). I always taste it about three times, honestly, just to make sure it's absolutely perfect. This sauce is what makes this Bang Bang Chicken truly special.
05 -
Once all your chicken is fried and perfectly crispy, transfer it to a large clean bowl. Pour that glorious Bang Bang sauce all over the crispy chicken. Use tongs or a spatula to gently toss the chicken, making sure every single piece is beautifully coated in the creamy, spicy sauce. You want to hear that satisfying thud as the sauce-covered chicken tumbles – it’s just the best sound! Don’t let it sit too long before serving, or that amazing crispiness starts to fade, which is just a tragedy, honestly.
06 -
Dish out your Bang Bang Chicken immediately! I love serving it over a bed of fluffy white rice, which soaks up all that extra sauce. Garnish generously with sliced green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for that extra pop of color and nutty flavor. The aroma of the sesame oil and spicy sauce fills the kitchen, and honestly, seeing everyone dig in is the most rewarding part. Enjoy your delicious, crispy, and spicy creation!