Bang Bang Chicken is a flavorful combination of crispy fried chicken bites tossed in a creamy, spicy-sweet sauce. The golden crunch of the chicken, paired with the tangy heat from the Bang Bang sauce, creates an irresistible dish that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner or an impressive appetizer for gatherings. This dish comes together quickly and is easy to make at home. Serve it with a side of rice or fresh veggies to balance out the heat. Whether you’re looking for something bold and flavorful to spice up your dinner routine or need a crowd-pleasing dish for your next party, Bang Bang Chicken will deliver every time.
Full recipe:
Ingredients:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 eggs, beaten
- Vegetable oil for frying
For the Bang Bang Sauce:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon sriracha (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
Directions:
- In a medium bowl, combine the cornstarch, flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Dredge the chicken pieces in the flour mixture, shaking off excess.
- Dip the coated chicken in the beaten eggs, then dredge again in the flour mixture.
- Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan over medium heat until hot. Fry the chicken in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan, for 4-5 minutes or until golden and crispy. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and rice vinegar to make the Bang Bang sauce.
- Toss the fried chicken pieces in the Bang Bang sauce until fully coated.
- Serve hot with rice or as a party appetizer.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 35 minutes
Kcal: 430 kcal | Servings: 4 servings
The Origins of Bang Bang Chicken
Bang Bang Chicken is inspired by flavors from Szechuan cuisine, which is famous for its bold, spicy, and numbing flavors. Originally, the term “Bang Bang” refers to a traditional Chinese street food dish where chicken is pounded with a mallet to tenderize it before being served with a spicy sauce. However, the version of Bang Bang Chicken popular in Western cuisine differs slightly—it’s typically made by deep-frying crispy chicken pieces and tossing them in a creamy, spicy-sweet sauce made from ingredients like mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha. Over time, this modern variation of the dish has become a favorite among home cooks due to its versatility and ease of preparation.
Why This Recipe Stands Out
One of the key reasons this Bang Bang Chicken recipe is so special is its simplicity. You don’t need any fancy equipment or hard-to-find ingredients to recreate it in your kitchen. With basic pantry staples like cornstarch, flour, and common Asian condiments, you can achieve a restaurant-quality dish in under 35 minutes.
The combination of crispy chicken with the creamy Bang Bang sauce is what makes this dish a winner. The chicken is dredged in a seasoned flour mixture, giving it a golden, crunchy exterior while remaining tender and juicy on the inside. Once fried, the chicken pieces are tossed in a silky sauce made from mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and rice vinegar, offering a perfect blend of heat, sweetness, and creaminess.
This recipe is highly adaptable too. If you prefer more heat, you can adjust the amount of sriracha, or for a milder version, reduce the spiciness by adding more sweet chili sauce. You can also add other elements like a dash of lime juice or soy sauce to deepen the flavors even further. It’s customizable to your taste preferences, making it the best version of itself.
Health Benefits and Nutritional Breakdown
Though Bang Bang Chicken is a fried dish, there are still some benefits that make it a balanced choice. Chicken breast, the main protein source in this recipe, is lean and high in protein, making it an excellent option for those looking to fuel their muscles and support body repair. Additionally, the use of rice vinegar in the sauce provides a dose of probiotics and aids in digestion.
If you’re mindful of calorie intake, you can easily make some healthy modifications. For instance, instead of deep-frying the chicken, you could bake it or use an air fryer to cut down on excess oil. The sauce, made with mayonnaise, can also be lightened up by using a low-fat version or even substituting with Greek yogurt to retain the creaminess while adding more protein and reducing fats.
This dish is also a great option for those following a high-protein diet. With each serving providing around 430 calories, it offers a good balance of macronutrients while delivering an indulgent flavor that doesn’t make you feel like you’re compromising on taste.
Why You Should Add Bang Bang Chicken to Your Meal Rotation
- Easy to Make: This recipe is beginner-friendly and doesn’t require advanced cooking skills. With minimal prep and a short cooking time, it’s a great dish for busy weeknights or impromptu gatherings.
- Customizable Heat Level: You can easily control the spiciness of the dish. If you’re serving it to kids or someone with a low spice tolerance, just reduce the amount of sriracha or swap it with ketchup for a mild yet flavorful sauce. On the flip side, spice lovers can add more heat with extra sriracha or even some red pepper flakes for an extra kick.
- Perfect for Entertaining: This Bang Bang Chicken works wonderfully as a party appetizer or a fun finger food for gatherings. Serve it with toothpicks and extra dipping sauce for a fun, shareable dish that’s sure to be a hit.
- Impressive Presentation: Despite how easy it is to prepare, this dish looks impressive. When plated, the golden crispy chicken coated in the glossy, bright sauce garnished with fresh herbs like cilantro or green onions makes it visually appealing and Instagram-worthy.
- Versatile Dish: Not only can Bang Bang Chicken be served as a main dish alongside rice or noodles, but it can also be used in different ways. Think Bang Bang Chicken wraps, sliders, or even tacos! The possibilities are endless.
- Kid-Friendly: The mild sweetness in the sauce makes it appealing to kids, even if they’re not big fans of spicy food. You can easily adapt this recipe to suit different preferences in the family, making it a versatile addition to your weekly meal rotation.
- Pairs with a Variety of Sides: Bang Bang Chicken pairs wonderfully with a variety of side dishes. Serve it with jasmine rice, a crisp salad, or even roasted vegetables. If you’re looking for a lighter meal, consider serving it over a bed of lettuce for a Bang Bang Chicken salad!
Tips for Making the Perfect Bang Bang Chicken
- Double-Coating the Chicken: The key to achieving that ultra-crispy exterior is the double coating process. First, the chicken is dredged in the flour mixture, dipped in egg, and then coated in flour again before frying. This ensures an extra crispy texture.
- Fry in Batches: To ensure that your chicken cooks evenly and maintains its crispiness, avoid overcrowding the pan. Fry the chicken in small batches so each piece has enough space to cook properly.
- Serve Immediately: This dish is best served fresh out of the pan while the chicken is still crispy and the sauce is warm. If you’re preparing this for a party, consider frying the chicken ahead of time and tossing it in the sauce just before serving to maintain its texture.
Perfect for Weeknight Dinners or Entertaining
Whether you’re hosting friends for a casual dinner or just want a fun and flavorful meal for your family, Bang Bang Chicken delivers on all fronts. The dish is not only quick to prepare but also customizable to your taste, making it suitable for everyone at the table. Serve it with rice, steamed vegetables, or even inside a wrap for a delicious meal that will have everyone coming back for seconds.
Conclusion
Bang Bang Chicken is a crowd-pleaser that strikes the perfect balance between flavor and texture. Its combination of crispy fried chicken with a creamy, spicy sauce will leave you and your guests craving more. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight meal, a party appetizer, or simply a dish that’s bursting with flavor, Bang Bang Chicken is an unbeatable option. The ease of preparation, the adaptability of the recipe, and its bold, satisfying flavors make it one of the best chicken dishes you can make at home.
