Crispy Bang Bang Chicken Sweet Spicy Sauce Recipe

Bang Bang Chicken Recipe With Sweet Spicy Sauce

Crispy Bang Bang Chicken Sweet Spicy Sauce Recipe delivers bold flavors that make any meal feel special.

Takeout cravings don't stand a chance when you can make something so satisfying at home.

The combination of sweetness and heat works beautifully for casual weeknight dinners or when company comes over.

Serving it takes minimal effort, yet it always feels like something worth celebrating.

You won't believe how quickly it disappears from the plate once it hits the table.

Why You’ll Love Crispy Bang Bang Chicken

  • Flavor Explosion: This recipe delivers a knockout combo of crispy chicken and zesty sauce that transforms a simple meal into something your whole family will crave.
  • Super Simple Technique: Even cooking novices can nail these chicken tenders because the breading process is straightforward and the steps are clear-cut.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Potential: Perfect for game days, family dinners, or casual gatherings where people want something tasty that doesn’t feel complicated.
  • Versatile Meal Option: These chicken tenders work beautifully as a main dish, in wraps, over rice, or as a crowd-pleasing appetizer that keeps everyone happy.

Complete Ingredient Breakdown for Bang Bang Chicken

Main Proteins:
  • 1 ½ Pounds Boneless, Skinless Chicken Tenderloins: Tender strips that become your crispy main attraction, perfect for soaking up that delicious sauce.
  • 1 Large Egg: Helps bind your breading and create a smooth, even coating for each chicken piece.
Liquid Ingredients:
  • 1 Cup Buttermilk: Provides tangy moisture and helps tenderize your chicken before cooking.
  • Canola Oil: Creates the perfect frying medium to give your chicken that golden, crispy exterior.
Dry Coating Ingredients:
  • ¾ Cup All-Purpose Flour: Forms the first layer of your chicken’s crunchy breading.
  • ½ Cup Cornstarch: Ensures an extra crisp texture that makes your chicken irresistibly crunchy.
  • 2 Cups Plain Panko Breadcrumbs: Delivers the ultimate crispy, light exterior that adds texture to every bite.
Seasonings:
  • 1 Tablespoon Sriracha, ½ Teaspoon Garlic Powder, ½ Teaspoon Kosher Salt, ¼ Teaspoon Black Pepper, ⅛ Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper: Blend together to create a perfectly seasoned coating with just the right kick of flavor.
Garnish:
  • Chopped Parsley: Adds a fresh, bright touch to your finished dish.

Essential Tools for Bang Bang Chicken with Sweet Spicy Sauce

  • Large Skillet: A spacious pan with high sides that helps you deep-fry the chicken tenders evenly and safely.
  • Meat Thermometer: Ensures your chicken reaches the perfect 165°F for safe and juicy results without guesswork.
  • Shallow Plate: Perfect for coating your chicken tenders in panko breadcrumbs without making a mess.
  • Mixing Bowl: Allows you to create the buttermilk batter and thoroughly coat each chicken tender.
  • Small Bowl: Great for whisking together the bang bang sauce ingredients quickly and smoothly.
  • Paper Towel-Lined Plate: Helps drain excess oil from your crispy chicken tenders, keeping them crunchy.
  • Whisk: Essential for blending sauces and batters without lumps, creating a smooth consistency.
  • Tongs: Helps you safely flip and remove chicken tenders from hot oil without splashing.
  • Measuring Cups/Spoons: Ensures precise ingredient amounts for consistent flavor every time.

Steps for Making Crispy Bang Bang Chicken

1

Create Bang Bang Sauce

Grab a small bowl and mix together 1 cup mayonnaise, ½ cup Thai sweet chili sauce, 1 teaspoon Sriracha, and 2 tablespoons honey. Whisk everything until it’s smooth and creamy. The sauce is ready to chill in the refrigerator while you prepare the chicken.

2

Prepare Chicken Batter

Grab a mixing bowl and combine these ingredients for the perfect chicken coating:

  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • ¾ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup cornstarch
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tablespoon Sriracha
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Whisk everything until the mixture looks completely smooth. Drop in 1 ½ pounds of chicken tenderloins and make sure each piece gets totally coated.

3

Coat Chicken in Breadcrumbs

Spread 2 cups of plain panko breadcrumbs on a shallow plate. Take each battered chicken tender and press it into the breadcrumbs, making sure every inch gets a crispy coating. Place the coated pieces on a clean plate.

4

Heat Cooking Oil

Pour canola oil into a large skillet, filling it about 1 inch deep. Heat the oil to exactly 365°F over medium-high heat. Getting the temperature right is crucial for perfect crispiness.

5

Fry Chicken Tenders

Carefully place chicken tenders into the hot oil. Fry each batch for 2-3 minutes per side until they turn a beautiful golden brown. Check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F to ensure they’re fully cooked.

6

Drain and Rest

Transfer the fried chicken to a paper towel-lined plate. This helps remove extra oil and keeps the tenders crisp.

7

Sauce and Serve

Drizzle the prepared bang bang sauce over the hot chicken tenders. Sprinkle some chopped parsley on top for a fresh touch. Serve these crispy beauties immediately with rice, in wraps, or just as they are.

Extra Kitchen Insight for Crispy Bang Bang Chicken

  • Whisk the bang bang sauce ingredients until super smooth for the best flavor blend and creamy texture.
  • Let chicken soak in the buttermilk batter for maximum tenderness and flavor absorption before coating.
  • Press breadcrumbs firmly onto chicken to create an extra crispy, golden exterior that locks in moisture.
  • Watch the oil temperature carefully and fry chicken in small batches to ensure each piece gets beautifully golden and crisp without overcrowding the pan.
  • Drizzle sauce right before serving to keep the chicken super crunchy and prevent soggy breading.

Bang Bang Chicken Sauce Variations

  • Gluten-Free Crunch: Swap wheat flour with almond or rice flour, and use gluten-free panko. Your crispy chicken stays just as tasty without wheat.
  • Baked Lighter Version: Skip the frying and bake chicken tenders at 425°F for 15-20 minutes, turning once. Spray with cooking oil to help get that golden crispness.
  • Veggie Protein Swap: Replace chicken with firm tofu or cauliflower florets. Cut into similar-sized pieces and follow the exact same breading and cooking technique for a plant-based alternative.
  • Low-Carb Coating: Trade panko for crushed pork rinds or almond flour to reduce carbohydrates. This keeps your chicken crispy while making the recipe more keto-friendly.

Best Ways to Enjoy Bang Bang Chicken

  • Perfect Portion Control: Serve 2-3 chicken tenders per person as a hearty main dish or appetizer that keeps everyone satisfied.
  • Rice Companion: Spread steamed jasmine or white rice underneath the crispy tenders to catch all the delicious sauce and soak up extra flavor.
  • Fresh Side Kick: Pair with a quick cucumber salad or coleslaw to balance the spicy sauce and add a cool, crunchy contrast to your crispy chicken.
  • Quick Gathering Hack: These tenders are awesome for game day, movie night, or casual dinner with friends who enjoy a bit of spice and crunch.

How To Store Bang Bang Chicken

  • Store your bang bang sauce in a sealed container in the refrigerator, where it’ll stay fresh and tasty for up to 5 days. Perfect for quick snacking later.
  • After frying, keep leftover chicken tenders in an airtight container in the refrigerator, and they’ll remain crispy when you reheat them in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes.
  • If your chicken gets cold before serving, pop the tenders in the oven for a quick 5-minute warm-up to restore that awesome crispiness without losing texture.
  • Separate the sauce from the chicken when storing leftovers, so your breading stays crunchy and doesn’t get soggy in the refrigerator.

Crispy Bang Bang Chicken Questions Explained

FAQ

What makes the batter so flavorful?

The buttermilk and Sriracha create a tangy, spicy base that infuses deep flavor into every chicken tender before you even start breading.

FAQ

Can I use a different type of chicken?

Absolutely! Chicken breasts or thighs cut into strips work perfectly. Just ensure they’re similar thickness for even cooking.

FAQ

How do I know the oil is hot enough for frying?

Use a digital thermometer to check the temperature. If you don’t have one, drop a breadcrumb in the oil – it should sizzle and float immediately at 365°F.

FAQ

What if the panko doesn’t stick to the chicken?

Make sure you shake off excess batter before pressing into breadcrumbs. The moisture helps the panko adhere better to your chicken.

FAQ

Can this recipe be made ahead of time?

The bang bang sauce keeps for 5 days in the refrigerator, and you can bread the chicken in advance. Just fry right before serving to maintain maximum crispiness.

FAQ

Is this dish very spicy?

The recipe has a moderate heat level. You can reduce Sriracha in the batter and sauce if you prefer a milder version.

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Crispy Bang Bang Chicken Sweet Spicy Sauce Recipe

Crispy Bang Bang Chicken Sweet Spicy Sauce Recipe


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4.9 from 21 reviews

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Crispy bang bang chicken delivers a flavor explosion that’ll make your taste buds dance with joy. Drizzled with a homemade sweet and spicy sauce, this dish turns an ordinary dinner into a restaurant-worthy experience.


Ingredients

Scale

Primary Proteins:

  • 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken tenderloins

Supporting Dry Ingredients:

  • 0.75 cup all-purpose flour
  • 0.5 cup cornstarch
  • 2 cups plain panko breadcrumbs

Seasoning and Wet Ingredients:

  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tablespoon Sriracha
  • 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
  • 0.125 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • Canola oil
  • Chopped parsley

Bang Bang Sauce Ingredients:

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 0.5 cup Thai sweet chili sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Sriracha
  • 2 tablespoons honey

Instructions

  1. Whisk 1 cup mayonnaise, ½ cup Thai sweet chili sauce, 1 teaspoon Sriracha, and 2 tablespoons honey in a small bowl until completely smooth. Refrigerate sauce while preparing chicken.
  2. Create a marinade by blending 1 cup buttermilk, ¾ cup flour, ½ cup cornstarch, 1 egg, 1 tablespoon Sriracha, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, and ⅛ teaspoon cayenne in a mixing bowl.
  3. Submerge 1 ½ pounds chicken tenderloins in the marinade. Ensure each piece gets thoroughly coated.
  4. Spread 2 cups panko breadcrumbs on a shallow plate. Remove each chicken tender from marinade, letting excess drip off, then press firmly into breadcrumbs to create a crisp coating.
  5. Pour canola oil 1 inch deep in a large skillet. Heat to 365°F over medium-high heat.
  6. Carefully place breaded chicken tenders into hot oil. Fry for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  7. Transfer fried chicken to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
  8. Drizzle or toss crispy chicken with prepared bang bang sauce. Sprinkle chopped parsley on top for garnish.
  9. Serve chicken immediately with rice, in wraps, or as a standalone dish.

Notes

  • Marinate the chicken in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes to tenderize and add extra flavor depth before coating.
  • Check oil temperature with a thermometer to ensure perfectly crispy chicken without burning the coating.
  • For a gluten-free version, swap regular flour with rice flour and use gluten-free panko breadcrumbs.
  • Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for quick weeknight meal upgrades.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Chicken
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 509 kcal
  • Sugar: 14 g
  • Sodium: 548 mg
  • Fat: 33 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 27 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 31 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 30 g
  • Cholesterol: 89 mg
Mary Sue

Mary Sue

Founder & Creative Recipe Developer

Expertise

Comfort Food Twists, Seasonal Cooking, Creative Flavor Pairings, Easy Weeknight Dinners, Flexible Pantry Cooking

Education

Trident Technical College, Culinary Institute of Charleston
  • Program: Culinary Arts Technology, A.A.S.
  • Focus: Built a strong foundation in professional food preparation, cooking, and presentation while also learning the hospitality side of the industry, including quality standards, sanitation, and the real-world pace of working kitchens

Mary Sue is the playful, creative recipe mind behind Mary Sue & Susan, known for big flavor ideas, warm storytelling, and dishes that feel both comforting and a little unexpected. She has a talent for taking familiar meals and giving them just enough personality to make them memorable.

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