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Crispy Bang Bang Chicken Recipe

3.8 from 75 reviews

Crispy Bang Bang Chicken is a flavorful and crunchy fried chicken dish coated with a perfectly balanced spicy and sweet Bang Bang sauce. This recipe features tender boneless chicken breasts marinated in buttermilk, coated in a seasoned flour mixture, fried to golden perfection, and finished with a creamy, tangy sauce that brings a satisfying kick. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing appetizer.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • Vegetable oil for frying (enough to cover bottom of skillet)

For the Bang Bang Sauce

  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
  • 1 tablespoon sriracha sauce (adjust to spice preference)
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon rice vinegar

Instructions

  1. Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, soak the chicken breasts in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes. This step tenderizes the chicken and adds moisture for a juicy finish.
  2. Prepare the Coating: In a separate bowl, combine the all-purpose flour with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well to evenly distribute the spices.
  3. Heat the Oil: Pour enough vegetable oil into a large skillet to cover the bottom and heat over medium-high heat until the oil is hot and shimmering but not smoking.
  4. Coat the Chicken: Remove the chicken breasts from the buttermilk, letting excess drip off, then dredge them thoroughly in the seasoned flour mixture, ensuring all sides are evenly coated for maximum crispiness.
  5. Fry the Chicken: Carefully place the coated chicken breasts into the hot oil. Fry for about 5-7 minutes on one side until golden brown, then flip and continue frying for another 5-7 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked through and the coating is crispy.
  6. Prepare the Bang Bang Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and rice vinegar until the sauce is smooth and well combined, balancing sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors.
  7. Drain the Chicken: Remove the fried chicken breasts from the skillet and place them on paper towels to absorb any excess oil, keeping the chicken crispy.
  8. Slice the Chicken: Once slightly cooled for easier handling, slice the chicken breasts into strips for convenient serving and dipping.
  9. Serve with Sauce: Drizzle the Bang Bang sauce generously over the sliced chicken or toss the strips in the sauce to coat evenly. Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.

Notes

  • For extra crispy chicken, double dredge by dipping the chicken back into the buttermilk and flour mixture before frying.
  • Adjust sriracha sauce in the bang bang sauce to control the heat level.
  • Use fresh buttermilk for a tangier flavor and better tenderizing effect.
  • Ensure the oil is hot enough before frying to avoid greasy chicken and help the coating crisp up quickly.
  • Serve with steamed rice or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated in a skillet or oven to maintain crispiness.

Keywords: Bang Bang Chicken, crispy fried chicken, spicy chicken recipe, buttermilk chicken, easy chicken dinner, homemade bang bang sauce