Crispy Bang Bang Chicken Recipe
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.
- Author: Cara
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Slice the Chicken: Once slightly cooled for easier handling, slice the chicken breasts into strips for convenient serving and dipping.
- 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