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Chicken Dinner Appetizers 30 Minutes or Less Asian
4.6 from 89 votes

Bang Bang Chicken

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By: Joanna Cismaru •10/8/22 167 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Bang Bang Chicken – From the super crispy chicken coated in buttermilk and Panko breadcrumbs to the delicious sweet chili mayo, this recipe is perfection! You won’t be able to keep your hands off it.

a large bowl filled with crispy bang bang chicken bites and drizzled with spicy mayo

Would you believe it if I told you I don’t make a lot of fried food? But there are exceptions that I make and one of them is for this bang bang chicken with this banging sweet chili mayo sauce. This is one of those dishes where I have to fight my husband to stay out of the kitchen until I’m done, otherwise he’ll eat all the chicken before I can even serve it.

And I certainly don’t blame him, I mean how can you resist this dish when it combines tender juicy chicken with a perfectly crisp crunchy coating. Drizzled with a spicy, tangy, creamy sauce, this dish is beyond perfect. So what are we waiting for, let’s get cookin!

What Is Bang Bang Chicken?

You might wonder what bang bang chicken actually is, and as far as I know, it’s a snack that was traditionally served in China by street vendors. It’s usually cooked chicken served cold drizzled with a spicy sauce. Apparently the recipe was named bang bang chicken because of the batons that were used to hammer the cleaver blades that loosened the chicken fibers for shredding.

However, this chicken isn’t shredded but it is cut into small pieces, and feel free to cut them as big or small as you wish. The chicken is then drenched in a buttermilk batter that’s spiced with some paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper and some hot sauce, then dredged through some Panko breadcrumbs.

Why Buttermilk?

The acid in the buttermilk helps break down some of the fibers and the toughness of the chicken. Including it in your breading will result in tender, flavorful chicken. Buttermilk batter is also made to be combined with Panko breadcrumb, resulting in the best little chicken bites you’ve ever feasted on.

chopsticks holding a piece of crispy chicken after dipping it into a bowl of spicy mayo

Ingredients

Detailed measurements and instructions can be found on the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page,

Sauce

  • Sauce – We’re using sweet chili sauce and hot sauce today for some sweet, some tang, and some heat in our dip.
  • Mayo – This will add a nice creamy base to our sauce, feel free to use whatever brand or kind is your favorite.
  • Honey – The perfect hit of sweetness in our dipping sauce.
  • Seasoning – Salt and pepper.

Chicken

  • Chicken – Breasts boneless and skinless cubed and cut into bite sized pieces.
  • Flour – All purpose to create a nice dredge to coat our chicken in.
  • Cornstarch – This will create a thin layer around our chicken that keeps moisture away and creates a crisp crust.
  • Spices – Garlic powder and smoked paprika will add the perfect amount of flavor to our chicken breading.
  • Hot sauce – Use whatever brand is your favorite, I used sriracha today.
  • Egg – The binder in our chicken batter, we just need 1 large egg today.
  • Milk – We’re using buttermilk today, if you only have regular on hand I’ll include directions below how to create your own buttermilk.
  • Breadcrumbs – Panko is best for this recipe, it’ll give you the most crispy crust you can ask for.
  • Seasoning – Salt and pepper.
  • Oil – Something mild with a high smoke point for frying, like canola.

How To Make Bang Bang Chicken

  1. Prepare the sauce: To prepare the sauce, mix all the ingredients for the sauce together in a bowl and refrigerate until ready for serving.
  2. Combine the batter: In a medium bowl, mix flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt and pepper. To the bowl add the hot sauce, egg, buttermilk and whisk until you have a smooth batter. Add the chicken pieces to the bowl, toss to make sure each piece is coated in the batter and set aside. In another bowl add about a cup of Panko breadcrumbs.
  3. Heat the oil: Add about 1/2 inch of oil in a large skillet and heat the oil over medium-high heat.
  4. Fry the chicken: Coat each piece of chicken with breadcrumbs, add more breadcrumbs as needed, and fry on both sides for about 3 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. Place on paper napkins to soak up some of the oil and repeat with all chicken pieces. Do not overcrowd the chicken, only add a few pieces of chicken to the skillet at a time, so the chicken turns out crispy.
  5. Finish the dish: Drizzle chicken with sauce and serve.

Baked Bang Bang Chicken

This recipe is even easier baked, if that’s even possible. But if you’d like to cut the calories or just prefer baking over frying, definitely consider baking these crispy little treats.

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 F degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Place the coated chicken pieces on the prepared baking sheet and bake for about 20 to 30 minutes until the chicken starts to brown and the chicken is cooked through.

How to Serve

These crispy snacks are perfectly delicious all on their own, smothered in sauce and enjoyed while comfy and cozy. But if you’d like to add these to a nice big spread, you can’t go wrong serving it alongside these:

  • Dirty Fries
  • Loaded Pub Fries
  • Potato Croquettes
  • Mini Corn Dogs
  • Skillet Pizza Dip
a crispy chicken wrap with micro greens and lime wedges

What Can I Do With My Leftovers?

If you have leftover chicken, I know, it sounds crazy, but if you do, you can use the leftovers to make these incredible wraps. I used the leftover sauce to spread over tortillas, sliced up some of the chicken, then loaded it up with alfalfa sprouts, cilantro and lettuce, then finally drizzle with some lime juice. The result is crazy good bang bang chicken wraps!

If you love this recipe I highly recommend you check out my Bang Bang Shrimp. You’re bound to love it just as much as this one!

Want To Make This Dish Ahead?

You sure can make these ahead! They actually freeze pretty well, more information on that below.

Fridge

You can store these fully cooked in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 – 4 days. Feel free to crisp them bake up in the oven when ready to feast.

Freezer

You can store these in the freezer for up to 1 month if you’d like to prepare these in advance. Just batter the chicken and then lay them on a baking sheet and freeze them, uncooked. Seal in an airtight container once hard and bake at 425 F degrees for 20 – 25 minutes from frozen when ready to eat.

Craving More Delicious Chicken? Try These Recipes:

  • Asian Glazed Chicken Fingers
  • Coconut Chicken
  • Bang Bang Chicken
  • Sticky Honey Sriracha Chicken Bites
  • Lemon Pepper Chicken
  • Honey Garlic Chicken

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

side view shot of a bowl full of bang bang chicken
Print
4.59 from 89 votes

Bang Bang Chicken

Prep 15 minutes
Cook 15 minutes
Total 30 minutes
Rate Recipe
Bang Bang Chicken – From the super crispy chicken coated in buttermilk and Panko breadcrumbs to the delicious sweet chili mayo, this recipe is perfection! You won't be able to keep your hands off it.
6

Ingredients

For Sauce

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce (I used Frank’s)
  • 1 tablespoon hot sauce (I used Sriracha *)
  • 2 tablespoon honey
  • salt and pepper to taste

For Chicken

  • 4 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless, cut into small)
  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper (or to taste)
  • 1 tablespoon hot sauce (I used Sriracha)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs **
  • oil for frying

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

Instructions 

  • To prepare the sauce, mix all the ingredients for the sauce together in a bowl and refrigerate until ready for serving.
  • In a medium bowl, mix flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt and pepper. To the bowl add the hot sauce, egg, buttermilk and whisk until you have a smooth batter. Add the chicken pieces to the bowl, toss to make sure each piece is coated in the batter and set aside.
  • In another bowl add about a cup of Panko breadcrumbs.
  • Add about 1/2 inch of oil in a large skillet and heat the oil over medium-high heat.
  • Coat each piece of chicken with breadcrumbs, add more breadcrumbs as needed, and fry on both sides for about 3 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. Place on paper napkins to soak up some of the oil. Repeat with all chicken pieces. Do not overcrowd the chicken, only add a few pieces of chicken to the skillet at a time, so the chicken turns out crispy.
  • Drizzle chicken with sauce and serve.

Video

Notes

  1. * Sriracha sauce is a hot sauce made from red chili peppers, garlic, vinegar, salt and sugar. The sauce is hot and tangy with a hint of sweetness.
  2. ** Panko is a Japanese-style breadcrumb traditionally used as a coating for deep-fried foods.
  3. You can use whichever hot sauce you like the best if you don’t want to use sweet chili sauce.
  4. Store leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
  5. You can store these in the freezer for up to 1 month if you’d like to prepare these in advance. Just batter the chicken and then lay them on a baking sheet and freeze them, uncooked. Seal in an airtight container once hard and bake at 425 F degrees for 20 – 25 minutes from frozen when ready to eat.
  6. Baking instructions: Bake at 450F for 20-30 minutes, flipping the chicken after 15 minutes.
  7. This appetizer is okay to serve hot or cold.
  8. Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on products used.
 

Nutrition Information

Calories: 433kcal (22%)Carbohydrates: 43g (14%)Protein: 21g (42%)Fat: 18g (28%)Saturated Fat: 3g (19%)Cholesterol: 87mg (29%)Sodium: 741mg (32%)Potassium: 406mg (12%)Fiber: 1g (4%)Sugar: 13g (14%)Vitamin A: 305IU (6%)Vitamin C: 4.1mg (5%)Calcium: 75mg (8%)Iron: 1.9mg (11%)
© Author Joanna Cismaru

Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.

side view shot of a bowl full of bang bang chicken

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Recipe originally shared October 23, 2012.

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Home Recipes
Joanna Cismaru

Joanna Cismaru

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

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167 Comments
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Amjjj
Amjjj
Posted: 22 days ago

5 stars
it was my first time in the kitchen ever, trying to impress my little sisters who both have an italian signature dish (im the older brother). They loved it and graved more but it filled our stomaches quickly. The sauce was amazing, even without peper and salt. Thanks for this amazing recipe.

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Amjjj
Posted: 22 days ago

My pleasure, so glad you liked it!

0
Reply
seg
seg
Posted: 2 months ago

5 stars
Amazing recipe, thank you! Just made it for dinner with jasmin rice and my teenage boys asked for it again tomorrow….for breakfast!

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  seg
Posted: 2 months ago

So glad you liked it!

0
Reply
June Davidson
June Davidson
Posted: 2 months ago

5 stars
Made half a recipe just as described. The chicken was crunchy and juicy inside and the sauce was just right. Half the recipe for 2 people made enough for 2 nights. Very good.

0
Reply
ashley j
ashley j
Posted: 3 months ago

4 stars
turned out pretty good, the chicken is nice and crispy and the sauce isnt too spicy. i added a little onion powder to the chickem batter, and i added some ginger to the sauce.

0
Reply
Jen
Jen
Posted: 4 months ago

My kids absolutely love this and ask for it every week, Quick question, is it possible to air fry instead of oil frying? I’ve burnt myself one to many times. Lol.

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Jen
Posted: 4 months ago

You can totally make this in the air fryer!!

0
Reply
Jayme Lynn
Jayme Lynn
Posted: 11 months ago

Can this also work with TOFu ? I have some family that are vegetarian

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Jayme Lynn
Posted: 11 months ago

Absolutely!

0
Reply
Jane Benning
Jane Benning
Posted: 1 year ago

Thank you so much! This recipe is incredible! I noticed that you stated in your article that if we didn’t have buttermilk we could make our own with regular milk – but I couldn’t find those directions. And is it possible to make this substitute with almond milk instead? Thank you!!!

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Jane Benning
Posted: 1 year ago

You can make your own faux buttermilk by combining milk and vinegar or lemon juice. For every cup of milk add 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Stir it and let it sit for a few minutes. I’m not sure if this would work with almond milk.

0
Reply
Judith L Maness
Judith L Maness
Reply to  Joanna Cismaru
Posted: 8 months ago

Is that a mistake when it says combine buttermilk with vinegar?? Shouldn’t it be combine milk with vinegar. My husband cannot have buttermilk as he has kidney disease so I am going to try the almond milk

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Judith L Maness
Posted: 8 months ago

You’re absolutely correct, fixed. 🙂

0
Reply
Cathy Homan
Cathy Homan
Posted: 2 years ago

5 stars
I baked mine. I don’t fry with oil anymore. Only frying is done in my air fryer. It passed the teenager test. Lol

0
Reply
brenda head
brenda head
Posted: 3 years ago

WOW

0
Reply
Tanya
Tanya
Posted: 3 years ago

Amazing crunchy goodness! Kids love leftovers in a wrap for school lunches!

0
Reply
Mike Doe
Mike Doe
Posted: 3 years ago

5 stars
Everybody loved it, 4 breast, 5 hungry people more than enough. Sauce was amazing and I don’t typically like the hole sweet and sour thing, I actually ran out of Panko had to stop and get another box

0
Reply
Patti Crum
Patti Crum
Posted: 3 years ago

Do you think this could be cooked in an air fryer??? Patti

0
Reply
Gerrie J Ward
Gerrie J Ward
Posted: 3 years ago

Can’t wait to try this…thank you!

0
Reply
Joanne
Joanne
Posted: 4 years ago

Excellent recipe, this will surely become a dinner staple around my table. Thank you from the bottom of our full bellies. =)

0
Reply
Stacey Smith
Stacey Smith
Reply to  Joanne
Posted: 3 years ago

5 stars
This recipe is amazing! I’ve made it 4 or 5 times in the last couple of months. I just had Bang Bang Shrimp at a really nice sushi restaurant over the weekend, and it tasted exactly the same! I won’t have a lot of time to make it for lunch tomorrow, so I mixed up the sauce tonight, as well as the dry ingredients for the batter. I always eat it over rice. I love your leftover idea, and I’ve done it that way. Two chicken breasts for me makes 4 meals, eating it with rice and making wraps. So economical! I don’t change a thing with it, except to go light on the sweet chili sauce. I’m also doubling the sauce this time. thanks so much for sharing such a delicious recipe!

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Stacey Smith
Posted: 3 years ago

My pleasure, so glad you enjoyed it!

0
Reply
Valerie
Valerie
Posted: 4 years ago

5 stars
I love this recipe and have made it sevetal times for me and my honey. The only thing is I always have to add more panko. My honey is very fussy but he loves bang bang chicken!

0
Reply

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