Crispy Bang Bang Chicken is your new go-to weeknight sensation, offering a delightful explosion of sweet, spicy, and creamy flavors with an incredibly satisfying crunch. This recipe makes recreating that beloved restaurant-style dish at home easier than ever, perfect for a quick and impressive meal.
Key Ingredients for Crispy Bang Bang Chicken
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- Vegetable oil or canola oil, for frying
For the Bang Bang Sauce:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
- 2 tablespoons sriracha (adjust to your spice preference)
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon soy sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon sesame oil
Optional Garnishes:
- Chopped green onions
- Toasted sesame seeds
- Red pepper flakes
How to Make Crispy Bang Bang Chicken
Get ready for a flavor adventure with this Crispy Bang Bang Chicken recipe! In under 45 minutes, you’ll achieve an irresistible combination of textures and tastes. The chicken is perfectly coated and fried to a golden crisp, then tossed in a luxuriously creamy, slightly spicy Bang Bang sauce. It’s straightforward, incredibly delicious, and guaranteed to become a family favorite.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels. This is crucial for ensuring the coating adheres well and gets extra crispy. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Mix well to ensure all the seasonings are evenly distributed throughout the flour.
- Set Up Breading Stations: Set up three shallow dishes or bowls. In the first dish, place the seasoned flour mixture. In the second dish, pour the lightly beaten eggs. In the third dish, add the panko breadcrumbs.
- Coat the Chicken: Working in batches, take each chicken piece and first dredge it thoroughly in the seasoned flour, shaking off any excess. Then, dip it into the beaten eggs, allowing any excess to drip off. Finally, press the chicken piece into the panko breadcrumbs, making sure it’s fully coated. Place the breaded chicken pieces on a clean plate or baking sheet, ensuring they don’t touch each other.
- Heat the Oil: Pour enough vegetable oil or canola oil into a deep skillet or Dutch oven to reach a depth of about 1-2 inches. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until it reaches approximately 360°F (180°C). You can test if the oil is hot enough by dropping a tiny piece of breadcrumb; it should sizzle immediately and float to the surface.
- Fry the Chicken: Carefully add the breaded chicken pieces to the hot oil in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Overcrowding will lower the oil temperature and result in soggy chicken. Fry the chicken for 5-7 minutes, flipping occasionally, until it’s golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
- Drain the Chicken: Once cooked, remove the crispy chicken pieces from the oil using a slotted spoon or spider strainer. Place them on a wire rack set over a baking sheet or on a plate lined with paper towels to drain off any excess oil.
- Make the Bang Bang Sauce: While the chicken is draining, prepare the sauce. In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and sesame oil until smooth and well combined. Taste the sauce and adjust the sriracha for more heat or honey for more sweetness to suit your preference.
- Combine and Serve: In a large bowl, gently toss the hot, crispy fried chicken pieces with the prepared Bang Bang sauce until they are evenly coated.
- Garnish and Enjoy: Transfer the saucy chicken to a serving platter. Garnish generously with chopped green onions, toasted sesame seeds, and red pepper flakes, if desired, for an extra pop of flavor and color. Serve immediately and savor every bite of your homemade Crispy Bang Bang Chicken!
Why You’ll Love This Crispy Bang Bang Chicken
You’ll adore this Crispy Bang Bang Chicken for its utterly irresistible combination of textures and flavors. The star of the show is the perfect duality: delightfully crispy coatings giving way to tender, juicy chicken, all enveloped in that signature creamy, sweet, and spicy Bang Bang sauce. Making this at home is also incredibly budget-friendly, saving you a significant amount compared to restaurant takeout without sacrificing that sought-after restaurant quality. The vibrant garnishes, like fresh green onions and nutty sesame seeds, elevate each bite, making this dish far more exciting than a simple fried chicken.
If you’ve ever craved that addictive flavor profile from your favorite Asian-fusion spots, this recipe delivers it right to your kitchen. It’s a culinary hug in a bowl that feels both indulgent and comforting. Forget those expensive restaurant bills; you can now whip up this crowd-pleaser any night of the week. So, why wait? Gather your ingredients and prepare to be amazed by this fantastic Crispy Bang Bang Chicken – it’s a guaranteed hit!
Storing and Reheating Tips
Properly storing and reheating your Crispy Bang Bang Chicken will ensure you can enjoy its deliciousness even after the initial meal.
- Refrigeration: Allow the Crispy Bang Bang Chicken to cool completely before storing. Place it in an airtight container and refrigerate. It will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. It’s best to store any leftover sauce separately if you prefer to add it just before serving to maintain maximum crispiness.
- Reheating: To reheat, the best method for preserving a good amount of crispiness is to use your oven or an air fryer.
- Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread the chicken in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Reheat for 8-12 minutes, or until heated through and slightly crisped again.
- Air Fryer: Place the chicken in your air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes, or until heated through and crispy.
- Microwave (Least Recommended for Crispiness): While the quickest, microwaving will significantly reduce the crispiness. If you must use a microwave, heat in short intervals, checking frequently, until just warmed through.
- Freezing: This dish is best enjoyed fresh, but if you wish to freeze it, it’s recommended to freeze the un-sauced, fried chicken pieces to maintain better texture.
- Allow the fried chicken pieces to cool completely.
- Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid (about 1-2 hours).
- Transfer the frozen chicken pieces to a freezer-safe bag or container.
- Freeze for up to 1-2 months.
- When ready to eat, thaw the chicken in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat using the oven or air fryer method as described above. You’ll then need to prepare a fresh batch of Bang Bang sauce to toss with the reheated chicken.
Final Thoughts
Crispy Bang Bang Chicken is a truly delightful dish that brings big flavors and a satisfying crunch right into your home kitchen. You absolutely must try this recipe for a taste of pure comfort and excitement. Get ready to impress yourself and your loved ones with this incredibly delicious and surprisingly simple meal!
Crispy Bang Bang Chicken
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels. This is crucial for ensuring the coating adheres well and gets extra crispy. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Mix well to ensure all the seasonings are evenly distributed throughout the flour.1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Set up three shallow dishes or bowls. In the first dish, place the seasoned flour mixture. In the second dish, pour the lightly beaten eggs. In the third dish, add the panko breadcrumbs.1 cup all-purpose flour, 2 large eggs, 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- Working in batches, take each chicken piece and first dredge it thoroughly in the seasoned flour, shaking off any excess. Then, dip it into the beaten eggs, allowing any excess to drip off. Finally, press the chicken piece into the panko breadcrumbs, making sure it’s fully coated. Place the breaded chicken pieces on a clean plate or baking sheet, ensuring they don’t touch each other.1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, 1 cup all-purpose flour, 2 large eggs, 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- Pour enough vegetable oil or canola oil into a deep skillet or Dutch oven to reach a depth of about 1-2 inches. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until it reaches approximately 360°F (180°C). You can test if the oil is hot enough by dropping a tiny piece of breadcrumb; it should sizzle immediately and float to the surface.vegetable oil or canola oil
- Carefully add the breaded chicken pieces to the hot oil in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Overcrowding will lower the oil temperature and result in soggy chicken. Fry the chicken for 5-7 minutes, flipping occasionally, until it’s golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- Once cooked, remove the crispy chicken pieces from the oil using a slotted spoon or spider strainer. Place them on a wire rack set over a baking sheet or on a plate lined with paper towels to drain off any excess oil.
- While the chicken is draining, prepare the sauce. In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and sesame oil until smooth and well combined. Taste the sauce and adjust the sriracha for more heat or honey for more sweetness to suit your preference.1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce, 2 tablespoons sriracha, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon rice vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon soy sauce, 1/4 teaspoon sesame oil
- In a large bowl, gently toss the hot, crispy fried chicken pieces with the prepared Bang Bang sauce until they are evenly coated.1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce, 2 tablespoons sriracha, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon rice vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon soy sauce, 1/4 teaspoon sesame oil
- Transfer the saucy chicken to a serving platter. Garnish generously with chopped green onions, toasted sesame seeds, and red pepper flakes, if desired, for an extra pop of flavor and color. Serve immediately and savor every bite of your homemade Crispy Bang Bang Chicken!green onions, sesame seeds, red pepper flakes