Crispy, creamy, and sweet-spicy — this easy Bang Bang Chicken recipe brings restaurant flavor home in 30 minutes. A must-try comfort food favorite!
I swear — I didn’t plan this one.
It just… happened.
One random Tuesday, the kind where the fridge looks empty but you swear there’s something to eat if you just look hard enough. I found Bang Bang Chicken Recipe (because there’s always chicken), a dusty bottle of sweet chili sauce, and a half-empty jar of mayo.
You know that moment when you’re too hungry to care about “recipes”? Yeah, that.
So, I tossed the Bang Bang Chicken Recipe in some flour, fried it up, mixed a weird little sauce that looked questionable… and then — that first bite hit.
Sweet. Spicy. Creamy. Crunchy. Perfect.
I actually said “oh damn” out loud. Standing there, barefoot, sauce dripping down my hand, laughing a little because — how did something so random taste this good?
And that’s how my love affair with Bang Bang Chicken Recipe started
Why This Recipe Works (Even Though It Shouldn’t)
It’s simple: sweet chili + sriracha + mayo = pure witchcraft.
The sauce gives you that sweet-spicy punch (that’s the “bang bang”), and the crispy Bang Bang Chicken Recipe soaks it all up without losing its crunch.
It’s one of those things that shouldn’t work — but somehow, it just does.
It’s messy. It’s a little loud. It’s the kind of food that makes you close your eyes when you bite it.
Trust me. You’ll see
What You’ll Need
Relax — nothing fancy.
Just the usual suspects:
- A big bowl (for mixing)
- A whisk (or fork, if you can’t find the whisk — been there)
- A frying pan or air fryer
- Tongs, paper towels, maybe a drink nearby
That’s it. Easy stuff.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1 lb boneless chicken breast (or thighs, they stay juicier — your call)
- ½ cup buttermilk (or milk with a splash of vinegar if you’re improvising)
- 1 cup flour
- ½ cup cornstarch (this makes it extra crispy, trust me)
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- Oil for frying
For the Bang Bang Sauce
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 3 tbsp sweet chili sauce
- 1–2 tsp sriracha (depending on how brave you feel)
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp lime juice (optional, but it brightens everything)
For Topping
- Green onions, chopped
- Sesame seeds
- Maybe some extra sauce on the side — no shame
Let’s Cook for Bang Bang Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Prep the Chicken
Cut your chicken into bite-sized chunks. Toss them in buttermilk and let them soak for 10–15 minutes while you heat the oil or preheat your air fryer.
That little rest keeps the chicken tender — and honestly, gives you time to find a playlist or pour a drink.
Step 2: Mix the Coating
In another bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
It should smell faintly smoky and garlicky — a good sign.
Step 3: Coat the Chicken
One by one, dredge those pieces in the flour mix. Shake off the extra, but make sure they’re fully covered.
Lay them aside for a minute to “set.” (That helps the coating stick — don’t skip it.)
Step 4: Fry or Air Fry
If frying — heat your oil till it sizzles when you drop a crumb in. That’s around 350°F.
Fry a few pieces at a time — don’t crowd the pan or they’ll steam. 4–5 minutes per side, golden brown.
If air frying — lightly spray the coated pieces with oil and cook at 400°F for about 12–14 minutes, flipping halfway through.
They’ll get surprisingly crispy.
Transfer to paper towels or a wire rack. They should sound crunchy when you drop them — best sound ever.
Step 5: The Sauce
Alright. This is where the magic happens.
In a small bowl, whisk together mayo, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and lime juice.
Taste it. Then taste it again (because you will).
It should be creamy with that sweet-spicy balance that makes you want to dip everything in it.
Step 6: The Bang Bang Moment
You’ve got two choices here:
- Toss all the chicken in the sauce till every piece is coated — messy, glorious, perfect.
- Drizzle the sauce over the chicken so it stays crispy longer.
I usually do both. Don’t judge.
Sprinkle with green onions and sesame seeds. Take a breath. You did it.
Variations (Because You’ll Want to Play Around)
- Bang Bang Shrimp: The O.G. viral version — same sauce, just shrimp instead of chicken.
- Bang Bang Tacos: Wrap in tortillas with slaw. So good.
- Bang Bang Rice Bowl: Spoon it over jasmine rice, add cucumbers or shredded carrots.
- Cauliflower Version: Yes, veggies can be exciting.
- Spicy Honey Twist: Add a little drizzle of hot honey at the end — crazy good.
Health(ish) Benefits
Let’s not lie — it’s friedBang Bang Chicken Recipe with sauce.
But hey, it’s homemade. You know what’s in it.
- Chicken = protein.
- Chili = metabolism boost.
- Honey = nature’s candy.
- Air fry it and it’s practically healthy (ish).
Plus, comfort food is good for your mental health. That counts too.
Nutrition (Per Serving)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | ~460 kcal |
| Protein | 27g |
| Fat | 20g |
| Carbs | 38g |
| Sugar | 8g |
| Sodium | 620mg |
Not bad for something this good.
Bang Bang Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Cut your chicken into bite-sized chunks. Toss them in buttermilk and let them soak for 10–15 minutes while you heat the oil or preheat your air fryer.
- That little rest keeps the chicken tender — and honestly, gives you time to find a playlist or pour a drink.
- In another bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- It should smell faintly smoky and garlicky — a good sign.
- One by one, dredge those pieces in the flour mix. Shake off the extra, but make sure they’re fully covered.
- Lay them aside for a minute to “set.” (That helps the coating stick — don’t skip it.)
- If frying — heat your oil till it sizzles when you drop a crumb in. That’s around 350°F.
- Fry a few pieces at a time — don’t crowd the pan or they’ll steam. 4–5 minutes per side, golden brown.
- If air frying — lightly spray the coated pieces with oil and cook at 400°F for about 12–14 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- They’ll get surprisingly crispy.
- Transfer to paper towels or a wire rack. They should sound crunchy when you drop them — best sound ever.
- Alright. This is where the magic happens.
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayo, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and lime juice.
- Taste it. Then taste it again (because you will).
- It should be creamy with that sweet-spicy balance that makes you want to dip everything in it.
- You’ve got two choices here:
- Toss all the chicken in the sauce till every piece is coated — messy, glorious, perfect.
- Drizzle the sauce over the chicken so it stays crispy longer.
- I usually do both. Don’t judge.
- Sprinkle with green onions and sesame seeds. Take a breath. You did it.
Little Things I Love About It
There’s this moment — right after you toss the Bang Bang Chicken Recipe in sauce — where the smell fills the kitchen. Garlic, chili, mayo… it’s just wow.
You can actually hear the crisp fade slowly as the sauce clings on.
You’ll burn your tongue on the first bite — every time — but you’ll still go back for more.
I’ve made this a dozen times, and it’s never survived the night. Someone always sneaks the last piece.
FAQs
1. Why’s it called Bang Bang Chicken Recipe?
It’s that double punch of flavor — sweet first, then spicy. “Bang Bang Chicken Recipe.”
2. Can I bake instead of fry?
Totally. Bake at 425°F for 20 minutes, flip once.
3. Too spicy for kids?
Just skip the sriracha. Still amazing.
4. Can I make it ahead?
Yep. Keep the sauce separate, reheat the Bang Bang Chicken Recipe toss before serving.
5. How long does it last?
Three days in the fridge — but good luck having leftovers that long.
6. What goes with it?
Rice, noodles, fries, salad… or nothing at all. Just you and the bowl.
Related Recipes
- Texas Roadhouse Italian Dressing Recipe
- Smoked Chicken Rub Recipe
- Father of the Brine Recipe
- Smoked Chicken Rub
The Wrap-Up
So that’s it — Bang Bang Chicken Recipe, the happy accident that turned into one of my favorite recipes ever.
It’s crispy, creamy, spicy, messy — kind of like life.
It’s not fancy. It’s not diet food. It’s just good, honest, ridiculously satisfying comfort food.
Next time you’re staring at your fridge thinking there’s nothing to make, remember this one.
Trust me — grab the mayo, grab the chili sauce, and make it happen.
And when you take that first bite and think “oh damn”…
Yeah, I told you so.