Hi there! I’m so excited to share this recipe with you today. It’s one of my absolute favorites, and I know you’ll love it too! Imagine crispy, crunchy chicken bites covered in a sauce that’s creamy, a little spicy, and just a tiny bit sweet. Sounds amazing, right? Well, that’s exactly what this Crispy Bang Bang Chicken is! I make this for my family all the time—my kids go crazy for it, and even my picky husband asks for seconds. Let me show you how I make it step by step. Don’t worry, it’s super easy, and I’ll explain everything in simple words. Let’s get started!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe (Trust Me!)
Let me tell you why this recipe is perfect for busy moms like me (or dads, or anyone who loves good food!):
- Crispy & Crunchy Every Time: The chicken is coated in panko breadcrumbs, which I love because they stay crunchy even after you fry them. No soggy chicken here!
- The Sauce is MAGIC: Oh my gosh, the Bang Bang sauce! It’s sweet, spicy, and creamy all at once. I could eat it with a spoon (but I won’t… maybe).
- Quick & Easy: I’m all about recipes that don’t take hours. This one’s ready in 30 minutes or less! Perfect for those nights when the kids are hungry now.
- You Can Serve It Any Way You Want: Over rice, in tacos, on salads—you name it! I’ll give you lots of ideas later.
What You’ll Need to Make It
Don’t stress—you probably have most of these ingredients already! Here’s what I use:
For the Chicken:
- 2 chicken breasts (I cut them into small pieces so they cook fast)
- 1 cup buttermilk (this makes the chicken so juicy!)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt (I use regular table salt)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika (it adds a nice color and flavor)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder (because garlic makes everything better)
- 1 egg (beaten—just stir it with a fork!)
- 1 ½ cups panko breadcrumbs (find these in the breadcrumb aisle)
- Oil for frying (I use vegetable oil, but any oil works)
For the Bang Bang Sauce:
- ½ cup mayonnaise (use your favorite brand)
- ¼ cup sweet chili sauce (this is key for the sweet-spicy flavor!)
- 1 tablespoon honey (adds a little extra sweetness)
- 1 tablespoon Sriracha (adjust this if you don’t like too much spice)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon lime juice (fresh or bottled is fine)
For Garnish (Optional):
- Chopped green onions (my kids love the color!)
- Sesame seeds (they look fancy but cost almost nothing)
- Fresh cilantro (skip it if you hate cilantro—no judgment!)
How I Make Crispy Bang Bang Chicken (Step by Step!)
I’ll walk you through this just like I’m talking to my best friend. It’s that simple!
1. Marinate the Chicken
First, I cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Then, I put them in a bowl and pour the buttermilk over them. I let them sit for at least 15 minutes. Why? Because buttermilk makes the chicken super tender! Sometimes, if I have time, I let it sit for an hour. But 15 minutes works too—no stress!
2. Prepare the Breading
While the chicken is marinating, I set up my “breading station.” Here’s what I do:
- Bowl 1: I mix the flour, salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.
- Bowl 2: I beat the egg with a fork until it’s smooth.
- Bowl 3: I pour the panko breadcrumbs.
3. Coat the Chicken
Now comes the fun part! I take a piece of chicken out of the buttermilk and shake off the extra. Then, I roll it in the flour mixture, dip it in the egg, and finally coat it in panko. I press the panko gently so it sticks well. This is what makes the chicken extra crispy!
Pro Tip: If you want even more crunch, dip the chicken in the egg and panko again. Yes, twice! My kids call this “double crunch” mode.
4. Fry the Chicken
I heat about 1 inch of oil in a big pan. How do I know it’s hot enough? I drop a tiny piece of breadcrumb in—if it sizzles, it’s ready! I fry the chicken in small batches (don’t crowd the pan!) for 3-4 minutes per side. When it’s golden brown, I take it out and let it drain on paper towels.
5. Make the Bang Bang Sauce
While the chicken cooks, I mix all the sauce ingredients in a bowl. Taste it! Want more spice? Add more Sriracha. Sweeter? Add a little extra honey. Make it yours!
6. Toss or Drizzle
Here’s where you decide: toss the chicken in the sauce (my favorite!) or serve the sauce on the side for dipping. I do both—toss some and leave some for dipping!
7. Garnish and Serve!
I sprinkle green onions, sesame seeds, and cilantro on top. It looks pretty and adds fresh flavor!
More Relative Recipes:
- Harry Potter Pumpkin Juice Recipe – A Magical Fall Drink
- Jalapeño Popper Cheese Ball
- Creamy Reuben Soup
- Butternut Squash Sausage Tortellini Soup
- Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Bars
How I Serve Bang Bang Chicken (So Many Ways!)
You can’t go wrong here! Here’s how my family eats it:
- Over Rice: Quick and filling! I add steamed veggies on the side.
- In Lettuce Wraps: For a lighter meal, we wrap the chicken in lettuce leaves. My daughter calls them “chicken tacos.”
- In Tacos: Speaking of tacos, soft tortillas + chicken + slaw = perfection.
- As a Party Appetizer: I put the chicken on toothpicks with a bowl of sauce. Gone in 5 minutes!
My Best Tips for You
I’ve made this recipe so many times. Here’s what I’ve learned:
- Don’t Skip the Buttermilk: It really makes the chicken tender! No buttermilk? Mix 1 cup milk + 1 tablespoon lemon juice.
- Keep the Oil Hot: If the oil isn’t hot enough, the chicken gets greasy. Keep it sizzling!
- Air Fryer Hack: I use my air fryer at 400°F for 15 minutes. Still crispy, less oil!
- Gluten-Free? No problem! Use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs.
Storing Leftovers (If You Have Any!)
In my house, leftovers are rare. But if you have some:
- Fridge: Store in a container for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: Freeze the breaded (uncooked) chicken for 1 month. Fry straight from frozen!
- Reheating: To keep it crispy, use the oven (375°F for 10 minutes) or air fryer.
Fun Variations to Try
Mix it up! Here’s what I’ve tried:
- Bang Bang Shrimp: Swap chicken for shrimp—cook for 2-3 minutes!
- Baked Version: Bake at 400°F for 20 minutes. Still crispy!
- Add Veggies: Toss broccoli or cauliflower in the sauce too!
Final Thoughts (From My Kitchen to Yours!)
This Crispy Bang Bang Chicken is my go-to recipe when I need something quick, delicious, and crowd-pleasing. It’s saved me on busy nights, potluck days, and even when my in-laws surprise us with a visit! The sauce is what makes it special—it’s like a flavor party in your mouth.
I really hope you try this recipe. Let me know how it turns out! Tag me on social media or leave a comment. And hey, if your kids love it as much as mine do, you’ll be making this every week. Trust me, it’s that good.
Happy cooking, friends! 🐔💥
P.S. If you’re nervous about frying, just go for it! I burned a few pieces the first time I tried, but now I’m a pro. You’ve got this! And remember, cooking is supposed to be fun. If the sauce splatters or the chicken isn’t perfect, laugh it off and enjoy the meal. That’s what I do! 😊
Crispy Bang Bang Chicken
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 2 chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 egg beaten
- 1 ½ cups panko breadcrumbs
- Oil for frying vegetable or preferred choice
For the Bang Bang Sauce:
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon Sriracha adjust for spice level
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
For Garnish (Optional):
- Chopped green onions
- Sesame seeds
- Fresh cilantro
Instructions
- 1️⃣ Marinate the Chicken:
- Place chicken pieces in a bowl and pour buttermilk over them. Let marinate for at least 15 minutes (or up to 1 hour for extra tenderness).
- 2️⃣ Prepare the Breading:
- In one bowl, mix flour, salt, black pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.
- In a second bowl, beat the egg.
- In a third bowl, add the panko breadcrumbs.
- 3️⃣ Coat the Chicken:
- Remove chicken from buttermilk, shake off excess, and coat it in the flour mixture.
- Dip into the beaten egg, then coat in panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere.
- 4️⃣ Fry the Chicken:
- Heat about 1 inch of oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
- Fry chicken in small batches for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown.
- Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
- 5️⃣ Prepare the Bang Bang Sauce:
- In a bowl, mix mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, honey, Sriracha, garlic powder, and lime juice. Adjust to taste.
- 6️⃣ Toss or Drizzle:
- Toss fried chicken in the sauce for full coating or serve as a dipping sauce on the side.
- 7️⃣ Garnish & Serve:
- Sprinkle with green onions, sesame seeds, and cilantro. Enjoy over rice, in tacos, or as an appetizer!
Notes
✅ Baking Alternative: Bake at 400°F for 20 minutes.
✅ Storage: Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days or freeze uncooked, breaded chicken for 1 month.
✅ Reheating: Use an oven at 375°F for 10 minutes or an air fryer to keep crispy.
✅ Make It Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs.
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