Description
This Bang Bang Chicken recipe features crispy, golden fried chicken pieces tossed in a creamy, tangy, and slightly spicy sauce made from mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and hot sauce. Perfect as an appetizer or main dish, it combines a crunchy panko coating with a flavorful homemade sauce that delivers a delightful balance of heat and sweetness.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Bang Bang Sauce
- ยฝ cup mayonnaise
- ยผ cup sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce (such as Sriracha)
- 2 tablespoons honey
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- ยฝ cup all-purpose flour
- ยฝ cup cornstarch
- 1 cup buttermilk (or more, as needed)
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ยฝ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- ยฝ teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce (such as Sriracha)
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Instructions
- Make Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, hot sauce, and honey. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate the sauce until you are ready to serve, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Prepare Chicken Batter: In a medium bowl, combine all-purpose flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, hot sauce, egg, and buttermilk. Whisk until the batter is smooth and fully mixed.
- Coat Chicken Pieces: Add the bite-sized chicken pieces into the batter and toss thoroughly, ensuring every piece is well coated.
- Bread the Chicken: Place the panko breadcrumbs in a separate bowl. Dredge each battered chicken piece into the breadcrumbs, pressing gently to make sure they are entirely covered with a crunchy coating.
- Fry the Chicken: Heat about ยฝ inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry chicken pieces in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Cook each side for around 3 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through inside. Remove fried chicken and drain on paper towels to absorb excess oil.
- Serve: Drizzle the fried chicken generously with the prepared Bang Bang sauce. Serve immediately while hot and crispy for the best flavor and texture experience.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of hot sauce in both the batter and sauce according to your spice preference.
- Ensure the oil is hot enough before frying to avoid greasy chicken and achieve crispy coating.
- Use buttermilk or add a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to regular milk to mimic buttermilk if not available.
- Serve with steamed rice or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
- Leftover chicken can be reheated in an oven to maintain crispiness.
