Crispy Bang Bang Chicken Recipe That Delivers Bold Asian Flavors
Crispy bang bang chicken combines bold flavors with an addictive crunch that makes it a standout choice for any meal occasion.
The dish provides restaurant-worthy appeal right from a home kitchen, perfect for weeknight dinners or casual entertaining.
Its popularity stems from the satisfying contrast of textures and the well-balanced taste profile that appeals to a wide range of palates.
Once you take that first bite, the combination hooks you instantly.
The preparation stays surprisingly straightforward despite the impressive final result.
This recipe works beautifully as an appetizer or main course depending on how you serve it.
A Thrilling Sweet-Chili Fire Inside Crispy Bang Bang Chicken
Crispy Coating Chicken And Creamy Spicy Sauce Breakdown
Main Protein:Coating Ingredients:Liquid Coating Components:Frying Component:Bang Bang Sauce Ingredients:Sheet Pans Bowls and Tools for Bang Bang Chicken
Approach to the Coat, Bake, and Toss Bang Bang Chicken Path
Prepare Chicken Coating
Grab a mixing bowl and combine these dry ingredients for your crispy coating:
In another bowl, whisk together 1 large egg and 1/2 cup buttermilk until well blended. Cut 2 boneless chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces about 1-inch square.
Coat Chicken Pieces
Dunk each chicken piece into the buttermilk mixture, then thoroughly coat it in the seasoned flour blend.
Press the coating firmly so it sticks well to every surface of the chicken. Let the coated pieces rest on a clean plate for 5 minutes to help the coating set.
Heat Cooking Oil
Pour vegetable oil into a deep frying pan, filling it about 2 inches deep. Heat the oil to exactly 350°F (175°C) using a cooking thermometer to check the temperature precisely.
Fry Chicken Pieces
Carefully drop chicken pieces into the hot oil, working in small batches to prevent overcrowding.
Fry each batch for 4-5 minutes, turning occasionally, until the pieces turn a deep golden brown.
The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C) to ensure they’re fully cooked.
Prepare Bang Bang Sauce
Whisk together these sauce ingredients in a medium bowl:
Blend until the sauce is smooth and well combined.
Final Serving
Remove chicken from oil and let drain on a wire rack or paper towels.
Either toss the crispy pieces directly in the sauce or serve the sauce separately for dipping.
Sprinkle with chopped green onions or sesame seeds for extra flavor and visual appeal.
Crunch Holding Tips for Sauced Chicken
Spicy Poultry Redesigns For Crispy Bang Bang Chicken
Spicy Zesty Appetizer Layouts For Bang Bang Chicken
Crispy Zesty Poultry Quality Maintenance For Bang Bang Chicken
Bang Bang Chicken FAQs for Maximum Crunch and Spice
What makes the coating so crispy?
The combination of cornstarch and flour creates an incredibly crunchy exterior that stays crisp even after saucing. Pressing the coating firmly onto each chicken piece helps lock in that perfect texture.
Can I use different hot sauces in the Bang Bang sauce?
Absolutely! Swap sriracha for another hot sauce like cholula or frank’s red hot. The key is balancing heat with sweetness from the chili sauce and honey.
How do I know the chicken is fully cooked?
Use a meat thermometer to check that chicken reaches 165F internally. Golden brown color and crispy exterior are good indicators, but temperature confirms doneness.
Is buttermilk necessary for this recipe?
Buttermilk helps tenderize chicken and creates a thicker coating. If you don’t have buttermilk, mix regular milk with a tablespoon of vinegar as a perfect substitute.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Coat chicken ahead and refrigerate before frying. Prepare sauce in advance too. Fry just before serving to maintain maximum crispiness.
What if my oil isn’t exactly 350F?
Keep oil between 325-375F. Too low creates greasy chicken, while too high burns the exterior before cooking through.
Crispy Bang Bang Chicken Bite Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 2 1x
Description
Bang Bang Chicken from Sichuan, China brings a seriously spicy party to your dinner table. Tender shredded chicken gets drowned in a crazy-good sauce that’ll make your taste buds dance with pure flavor excitement.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ½ cup cornstarch
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup buttermilk
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Sauce Ingredients:
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon sriracha sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
Instructions
- Grab a clean cutting board and slice 2 chicken breasts (about 454 grams) into uniform bite-sized pieces around 1-inch cubes for consistent cooking.
- Create your seasoned coating by combining 60 grams cornstarch, 60 grams all-purpose flour, 5 grams garlic powder, 5 grams paprika, 3 grams salt, and 3 grams black pepper in a medium mixing bowl.
- Whisk 1 large egg and 120 milliliters buttermilk together in a separate shallow dish until completely blended.
- Dunk each chicken piece into the buttermilk mixture, allowing excess liquid to drip off, then thoroughly coat with the seasoned flour blend.
- Press coating firmly onto chicken surfaces to ensure maximum crispiness and complete coverage.
- Let coated chicken rest for precisely 5 minutes while preparing your frying station.
- Pour 480 milliliters vegetable oil into a heavy-bottomed pan, heating to exactly 175 degrees Celsius (350 degrees Fahrenheit) using a digital thermometer.
- Carefully lower chicken pieces into hot oil, maintaining 3-4 pieces per batch to prevent temperature drops.
- Fry chicken for 4-5 minutes, rotating occasionally, until exterior reaches deep golden brown and internal temperature hits 74 degrees Celsius (165 degrees Fahrenheit).
- Transfer fried chicken onto wire cooling rack to maintain crisp texture and drain excess oil.
- Whisk 120 milliliters mayonnaise, 60 milliliters sweet chili sauce, 15 milliliters sriracha, 15 milliliters honey, and 5 milliliters lime juice until sauce becomes smooth and glossy.
- Select your serving style: either fully coat chicken in sauce or serve sauce separately for individualized dipping preferences.
- Optionally garnish with finely chopped green onions or toasted sesame seeds for additional flavor and visual appeal.
Notes
- Cornstarch creates an ultra-crispy coating that seals in moisture and prevents sogginess during frying.
- Let the coated chicken rest before frying to help the breading adhere better and create a crunchier exterior.
- Use a deep-fry or candy thermometer to maintain the precise oil temperature for consistent, golden-brown chicken without burning.
- For a lighter version, bake the chicken at 425F for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, which reduces oil but still delivers great crunch.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 680 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 30 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg



Susan Whitaker
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