Picture this: the sizzle of golden chicken hitting hot oil, the spicy-sweet aroma of a sauce that dances on your tongue, and the irresistible crunch that makes you close your eyes in delight. This Bang Bang Chicken Recipe is like a joyful party for your palate—crispy, creamy, and just the right kick of heat. Whether you’re craving a quick weeknight dinner or want to wow guests with a vibrant appetizer, this recipe delivers big flavor without fuss.

Why You’ll Love This Bang Bang Chicken Recipe

Ready in 40 minutes: From start to finish, you’ll have a mouthwatering meal on the table fast enough for busy evenings.
Uses simple ingredients: Pantry staples come together to create that addictive Bang Bang sauce and crispy chicken—no complicated shopping lists here!
Perfect for beginners: Easy-to-follow steps make the frying and coating process approachable, even if you’re new to cooking.
Impressive presentation: Golden tenders generously coated in a vibrant, creamy sauce that looks as gorgeous as it tastes.
Customizable: Adjust the heat and sweetness to your liking, making it perfect for kids or anyone who loves a little extra zing.

Why This Bang Bang Chicken Recipe Works

This Bang Bang Chicken Recipe shines because of the balance between a crunchy, well-seasoned coating and a luscious, tangy sauce that finishes every bite perfectly. The marinade—made with buttermilk, spices, and a hint of Sriracha—tenderizes the chicken and infuses layers of flavor before the crispy panko crumb coating locks in moisture. Frying at the right temperature ensures the chicken cooks through with a golden crust that stays crisp, making each tender juicy and succulent. Tossing the chicken in the luscious Bang Bang sauce right before serving guarantees that creamy, spicy, and sweet notes coat every crunchy bite beautifully.

Large white serving bowl filled with a generous pile of crispy golden fried cauliflower florets, generously drizzled with creamy, spiced orange sauce and sprinkled with fresh chopped parsley, whole dish presented from a 3/4 angle on a white marble countertop, natural lighting enhancing the textures and colors like a professional food magazine hero shot, photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Bang Bang Chicken Recipe requires straightforward ingredients that combine to create a complex flavor and delightful texture. Each one plays an essential role in making this dish unforgettable.

Mayonnaise: The creamy base that balances heat and sweetness in the sauce.
Thai sweet chili sauce: Adds sticky, sweet, and tangy layers.
Sriracha sauce: Provides the perfect spicy kick to the sauce and marinade.
Honey: Sweetens the Bang Bang sauce for a rich flavor contrast.
Boneless chicken tenderloins: Tender, quick-cooking pieces ideal for frying.
Buttermilk: Tenderizes chicken while adding flavor in the marinade.
All-purpose flour and cornstarch: Create a light, crispy coating when combined with wet ingredients.
Egg: Binds the flour mixture to the chicken for even breading.
Garlic powder, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper: Layered spices build flavorful depth.
Panko breadcrumbs: Deliver a light, irresistible crunch.
Canola oil: Neutral oil that fries the chicken to crispy perfection.
Chopped parsley: Fresh garnish to add color and brightness.

Ingredient Substitutions & Tips

Mayonnaise: Substitute with Greek yogurt for a tangier, lighter sauce.
Thai sweet chili sauce: Use apricot preserves mixed with a little rice vinegar and chili flakes for a homemade twist.
Panko breadcrumbs: Regular breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes can work but won’t have the same crunch.
Canola oil: Vegetable or peanut oil are great alternatives for frying due to their high smoke points.

👨‍🍳 Pro Tips for Perfect Results

Choose tenderloins: They cook evenly and stay juicy inside the crispy crust.
Don’t skip marinating: The buttermilk and spices work magic to tenderize and flavor the chicken deeply.
Maintain oil temperature: Use a thermometer to keep it around 365°F for golden, non-greasy tenders.
Toss chicken gently: Coat the fried tenders evenly in sauce without breaking the crust.
Serve immediately: This dish shines when fresh and warm to preserve the crunch.

How to Make Bang Bang Chicken Recipe

Step 1: Make the Bang Bang Sauce

In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and honey. Whisk them together until silky smooth and perfectly blended. This sauce brings the magic—spicy, sweet, and creamy all at once. Cover and set aside to let the flavors mingle while you prepare the chicken.

💡 Pro Tip: Adjust Sriracha for your desired heat level—start small and add more if you crave extra spice.

Step 2: Prepare the Chicken Marinade

Whisk together buttermilk, all-purpose flour, cornstarch, egg, Sriracha, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper (if you like a little extra fire) in a medium bowl until smooth. Add the chicken tenderloins and toss to coat thoroughly. Let the chicken soak in this flavorful bath for about 10 minutes; this step is key to juicy, tender meat.

💡 Pro Tip: Give the chicken a gentle stir halfway through to ensure even coating.

Step 3: Coat the Chicken

Spread the panko breadcrumbs evenly on a plate. Remove each chicken tender from the marinade, letting excess drip off, then press gently into the panko breadcrumbs, coating all sides for maximum crispiness. Set the coated tenders aside on a clean plate, ready for frying.

💡 Pro Tip: For extra crunch, double-coat by repeating the breadcrumb step.

Step 4: Fry the Chicken

Heat canola oil in a skillet over medium-high heat to approximately 365°F. Carefully add the chicken tenderloins in batches, frying each side for 2-3 minutes until they turn a gorgeous golden brown. Use a meat thermometer to confirm the internal temperature reaches 165°F—that means perfectly cooked poultry.

💡 Pro Tip: Don’t overcrowd the pan; it lowers the oil temperature and makes the chicken soggy.

Step 5: Drain and Toss

Transfer the fried chicken onto a paper towel-lined plate to soak up any excess oil. Once drained, gently toss the golden tenders in the Bang Bang sauce until each piece is luxuriously coated. This final step seals in flavor and adds that signature creamy-spicy punch.

💡 Pro Tip: Use tongs to toss carefully to preserve the crust’s crunch.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle the sauced chicken with chopped fresh parsley for brightness and serve immediately while warm. These vibrant, crispy bites are sure to dazzle at your dinner table.

💡 Pro Tip: Serve with lemon wedges on the side to add a zesty finish if you like.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Learn from these common pitfalls to get the most delicious Bang Bang Chicken Recipe every time:

Skipping the marinade: The chicken won’t be as tender or flavorful without allowing it to soak in the buttermilk and spices.
Frying at too low temperature: Leads to greasy, soggy chicken instead of crisp and golden.
Overcrowding the skillet: Drops oil temperature and causes uneven cooking.
Not removing excess batter: Leads to clumpy coats, not light and crisp breading.
Coating the chicken while wet: Results in breadcrumbs falling off; make sure excess marinade drips off before breading.
Waiting too long to toss in sauce: The crust loses its crunch if the chicken sits without sauce for too long after frying.

Delicious Variations to Try

Once you’ve mastered this classic Bang Bang Chicken Recipe, why not shake things up with these tasty twists?

Grilled Bang Bang Chicken

Skip the frying and marinate tenders, then grill for a smoky twist. Toss with the sauce just before serving.

Bang Bang Shrimp

Swap chicken for popcorn shrimp coated in the same crispy panko and marinade combo. Perfect for seafood lovers!

Bang Bang Cauliflower

A vegetarian delight—batter and fry cauliflower florets, then coat with the irresistible Bang Bang sauce for a crispy, healthy snack.

Spicy Peanut Bang Bang Chicken

Add a tablespoon of peanut butter to the sauce for a nutty depth and richer texture that’s simply addictive.

Baked Bang Bang Chicken

For a lighter option, bake the breaded tenders at 425°F until crispy, then toss in the sauce. Just as tasty with less oil.

Bang Bang Chicken Wraps

Dice the sauced chicken and wrap it in tortillas with lettuce, shredded carrot, and a drizzle of ranch for portable, flavorful lunches.

How to Serve Bang Bang Chicken Recipe

Single white plate with a plated serving of golden crispy cauliflower bites generously coated in a creamy spicy sauce, close-up angled shot emphasizing the crunchy textured exterior and smooth sauce drizzled over each piece, garnished with vibrant chopped green onions, placed on a white marble surface with natural lighting, styled as an intimate individual portion from a food blog, photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Fresh chopped parsley adds vibrant color. Sometimes I love a sprinkle of sliced green onions or a scatter of toasted sesame seeds to amp up texture and visual appeal.

Side Dishes

Serve alongside fluffy jasmine rice or sticky rice to soak up that amazing sauce. Crunchy cucumber salad or a simple slaw helps balance the creamy richness with cooling crispness.

Creative Ways to Present

Create a party platter by arranging chicken tenders on a large board with bowls of dipping sauce, sliced veggies, and fresh herbs. Or stack the tenders on skewers for delightful Bang Bang Chicken kabobs.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep leftover Bang Bang Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To preserve crunch, store sauce separately and toss before serving.

Freezing

Place fried, cooled chicken tenders on a parchment-lined tray to freeze individually before transferring to a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

Reheat in a preheated 375°F oven on a wire rack to maintain crunch, about 10-12 minutes. Add the sauce fresh after warming to keep textures perfect.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breasts instead of tenderloins?

Absolutely! Just slice breasts into strips similar in size to tenderloins for even cooking.

Is this recipe spicy?

The recipe has a mild to medium kick, which you can adjust by modifying the Sriracha and cayenne amounts.

Can I bake instead of fry the chicken?

Yes! Baking at 425°F on a wire rack maintains crispiness but won’t be as golden-fried as the classic method.

What if I don’t have buttermilk?

Mix 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar into 1 cup milk and let sit 5 minutes for an easy substitute.

How do I keep the chicken crispy after tossing with sauce?

Toss gently and serve immediately. Alternatively, serve sauce on the side for dipping.

Can I make the sauce ahead of time?

Yes! Store it in the fridge up to 3 days and stir well before tossing with chicken.

Is it okay to use regular chili sauce instead of Thai sweet chili sauce?

Thai sweet chili sauce has a special sweet-spicy balance; regular chili sauce will change the flavor but can work in a pinch.

What oil is best for frying?

Use neutral oils with high smoke points like canola, vegetable, or peanut oil for best results.

Final Thoughts

This Bang Bang Chicken Recipe is one of those rare dishes that feels indulgent yet comes together quickly enough for any night of the week. It’s crisp, saucy, spicy, and downright addictive—plus, it brings a bit of restaurant magic right to your own kitchen. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or sneaking bites during the week, this recipe is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser that keeps everyone coming back for more.

Have you tried this Bang Bang Chicken Recipe? I’d love to hear how it turned out! Leave a comment below. If you loved this recipe, please share it with friends and family. Happy cooking! 🍽️