Looking to spice up your meal routine with something delicious and simple to prepare? Try this Bang Bang Chicken recipe! It’s a perfect blend of crispy chicken with a creamy, spicy sauce that will leave your taste buds craving more. Read on for a step-by-step guide to making this crowd-pleaser at home!
What is Bang Bang Chicken?
Bang Bang Chicken is a popular dish known for its crispy texture and the irresistible sweet and spicy bang bang sauce. Traditionally, it’s made with crispy fried chicken, but you can easily make it baked or even grilled to lighten things up. The dish gets its name from the “bang bang” effect of its bold flavors that explode in your mouth, making it a go-to option for anyone who enjoys a tasty combination of heat, creaminess, and a little bit of sweetness. Let’s dive into the ingredients and how you can whip this up right at home.
Ingredients List for Bang Bang Chicken
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs (beaten)
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Vegetable oil for frying
Ingredients List for Bang Bang Sauce
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon sriracha (adjust to taste for spiciness)
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 teaspoon lime juice (optional for tanginess)
Substitutions and Variations
Bang Bang Chicken is highly customizable, and you can easily swap ingredients based on your dietary preferences or what you have on hand. For a healthier option, bake the chicken instead of frying it. You can also use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise for a lighter sauce. Prefer a gluten-free version? Simply swap the all-purpose flour and panko breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives. If you don’t have sweet chili sauce, you can mix honey and a little bit of hot sauce to mimic its sweetness and heat. Feel free to adjust the spiciness of the sauce by adding more or less sriracha, or even substituting with another hot sauce of your choice.
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
- Prep the Chicken: Start by cutting the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Season the chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
- Coat the Chicken: Set up a dredging station with three bowls—one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with panko breadcrumbs. Dredge each piece of chicken first in the flour, then dip it into the beaten eggs, and finally, coat it with panko breadcrumbs.
- Fry the Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the chicken pieces in batches for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crispy. Transfer the fried chicken to a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil.
- Make the Bang Bang Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and lime juice. Taste and adjust the seasoning according to your preference.
- Toss the Chicken: Once all the chicken is fried, toss the pieces in the prepared Bang Bang sauce until evenly coated. If you prefer a crispier texture, you can drizzle the sauce over the chicken instead of tossing it.
How to Cook Bang Bang Chicken: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Gather Your Ingredients and Tools: Before you start, make sure you have all your ingredients measured and ready. You’ll need a cutting board, a sharp knife, mixing bowls, a skillet, and tongs for frying.
- Prepare the Chicken: Slice your chicken breasts into even, bite-sized pieces to ensure uniform cooking. Season them well with your preferred spices.
- Set Up Your Dredging Station: Dredging the chicken ensures that it has a crispy coating. The three-bowl setup—flour, egg wash, and panko—is key to getting that golden crunch when frying.
- Heat the Oil: Preheat your oil to the right temperature (around 350°F or 175°C) for frying. Make sure it’s hot enough so the chicken fries quickly without absorbing too much oil.
- Fry the Chicken: Fry the chicken pieces in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Overcrowding lowers the oil temperature, resulting in soggy chicken.
- Drain the Chicken: Once fried, let the chicken drain on paper towels to remove excess oil, which helps maintain its crispy texture.
- Prepare the Sauce: While the chicken is frying, whisk together the Bang Bang sauce ingredients. Adjust the spice level by adding more or less sriracha.
- Coat or Drizzle the Chicken: Toss the chicken in the sauce for a full flavor burst, or keep the sauce on the side for dipping if you prefer crispy chicken with every bite.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overcrowding the Pan: Frying too many pieces of chicken at once lowers the oil temperature and results in soggy, greasy chicken. Fry in batches to ensure crispy results.
- Skipping the Seasoning: Make sure to season both the chicken and the flour for dredging. Bland chicken will make the dish less flavorful, even with the bang bang sauce.
- Using Cold Oil: If your oil isn’t hot enough, the chicken will absorb too much of it, making it greasy. Use a thermometer if possible to maintain the right frying temperature.
- Not Letting the Chicken Rest: After frying, let the chicken drain on paper towels to get rid of excess oil and keep the pieces crispy.
Serving and Presentation Tips
Bang Bang Chicken is not only about great taste—it’s about presentation too! This dish works beautifully as a main course, appetizer, or even in a sandwich or wrap. Serve it on a bed of lettuce or alongside rice for a full meal. You can garnish the dish with chopped green onions or cilantro for a burst of freshness and color. Adding a wedge of lime on the side will give the option for a zesty kick.
How to Serve Bang Bang Chicken
You can serve Bang Bang Chicken as an appetizer, or you can turn it into a full meal by pairing it with sides like steamed rice, a fresh salad, or roasted vegetables. For an extra twist, try serving the chicken in lettuce wraps or over noodles for an Asian-inspired dinner. The versatility of this dish means you can get creative with how you serve it.
Presentation Ideas for Bang Bang Chicken
For an eye-catching presentation, serve the Bang Bang Chicken on a wooden platter or a colorful plate. Drizzle some extra bang bang sauce over the top and sprinkle with chopped cilantro or green onions. If you’re making this for a party, consider serving it in small bowls or on toothpicks with the sauce as a dip. Adding a few slices of lime or lemon on the side will elevate the look and add a pop of color.
Bang Bang Chicken Recipe Tips
- For extra crispiness, double coat the chicken by dipping it in flour, then egg, back into the flour, and finally into the breadcrumbs.
- If you’re looking to reduce calories, bake the chicken at 400°F (200°C) for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway through, instead of frying it.
- Don’t forget to taste the sauce before coating the chicken. You may want to adjust the spiciness or sweetness to your liking.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Can I bake the chicken instead of frying it? Yes! Bake the chicken at 400°F for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through for even cooking.
- Is Bang Bang Chicken spicy? The dish has a mild to medium heat from the sriracha. You can adjust the heat level by adding more or less sriracha based on your preference.
- Can I make this recipe gluten-free? Absolutely! Just use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs for the chicken coating, and check the labels on your sauces to ensure they are gluten-free.
- What can I use instead of mayonnaise in the sauce? Greek yogurt works well as a lighter substitute for mayonnaise in the bang bang sauce.
- How long does Bang Bang Chicken last? Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven to retain crispiness.
Conclusion
Bang Bang Chicken is a fantastic dish that’s easy to make and bursting with flavor. Whether you’re cooking for yourself, your family, or a party, this recipe is sure to impress. With its crispy texture and creamy, spicy sauce, you’ll be adding this to your regular meal rotation in no time. Give this recipe a try, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different variations and serving ideas!
PrintBang Bang Chicken Recipe
This easy Bang Bang Chicken recipe offers crispy chicken bites coated in a spicy, creamy sauce. It’s a perfect blend of flavor and texture, ideal for a quick weeknight dinner. The combination of sweet, tangy, and spicy elements makes this dish irresistible. Keywords: bang bang chicken, crispy chicken recipe, spicy sauce chicken.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian-American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless chicken breast, cubed
- ½ cup flour
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 1 egg, beaten
- ¼ cup buttermilk
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp sweet chili sauce
- 1 tbsp Sriracha
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Oil for frying
Instructions
- Prep the chicken: Season chicken cubes with salt and pepper. In a bowl, mix flour and cornstarch. Dip chicken into buttermilk and egg mixture, then dredge in flour mix.
- Fry the chicken: Heat oil in a deep pan and fry the chicken until golden brown and crispy, about 4-5 minutes per side. Drain on a paper towel.
- Make the sauce: In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and Sriracha.
- Toss chicken in sauce: Toss the crispy chicken in the prepared sauce until evenly coated. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Adjust the Sriracha to control the heat level.
- For a healthier option, bake the chicken instead of frying.
- Serve with rice or salad for a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 590mg
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