Bang Bang Chicken

This Bang Bang Chicken is a delicious combination of crispy chicken and sweet and spicy sauce. And, it's a great meal that you can make ahead so that it's ready to cook when you get home on busy weeknights.

Jump to:

• ❤️ My very best bang bang chicken recipe
• 📝 Ingredients you'll need
• 🥣 Before you begin: essential tools
• 🥄 Step by step: instructions
• 👩‍🍳 What else you can do
• 👍 Amira's notes
• 🧺 How to store leftovers
• 📣 You might also like
• ⌛ Make Ahead
• 🍽️ Perfect pairings: what to serve with
• 💬 Your questions answered: FAQs
• Bang Bang Chicken

Save this recipe by clicking on the ❤️ heart on the right-hand side of the screen or the recipe card.

❤️ My very best bang bang chicken recipe

• This is a chicken version of the shrimp dish that is popular at restaurants. So, that means that you can enjoy this dish even if you have seafood allergies. 
• Plus, this recipe requires minimal prep time, so you don't have to worry about spending a ton of time in the kitchen to feed your family. 
• Also, all of these simple ingredients are easy to find in your local grocery store, and no expensive special items are needed. 

My family fell in love with the popular Bang Bang Shrimp appetizer, so we came home and made this chicken version. And, I have to admit that we like it even more than the shrimp. 

📝 Ingredients you'll need

Note: This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.

📋 Ingredient Notes / Variations

• Salt and black pepper -  Feel free to adjust these basic seasonings to suit your taste buds. 
• Smoked paprika - This adds a smoky and slightly spicy flavor to the dish. 
• Oregano -  Adds a subtle herb flavor to the chicken. 
• Garlic powder - A pantry staple that adds depth of flavor without the hassle of mincing garlic cloves. 
• Onion powder - This will add a depth of flavor to your sauce, don't leave this out. 
• Cayenne pepper - This adds a touch of spice to the bite-sized pieces of chicken. You will love the heat. 
• Chicken breasts - I used boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into chunks. You can also use chicken tenderloins to make this recipe. 
• Buttermilk - This helps to add some flavor and gives the breading something to stick to. 
• Egg - Eggs act as a binder to help your breading stick to the outside of the chicken. 
• Flour -  All-purpose flour is used as the base for the breading. 
• Cornstarch - The cornstarch helps to create a nice batter on the outside of this crispy fried chicken. 
• Panko breadcrumbs - I used plain bread crumbs to help give you nice a crunchy. 
• Vegetable oil - If you don't have vegetable oil, you can use any type of neutral oil that you have in your pantry. Canola oil also works great. 
• Bang Bang Sauce - This sauce is a delicious mixture of Thai sweet chili sauce, sriracha sauce, and mayo. I like to make it myself but you can also use store-bought. 

🥣 Before you begin: essential tools

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• small bowl
• large bowls
• large skillet

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🥄 Step by step: instructions

Note: This is an overview of the instructions. The detailed instructions are in the recipe card below.

1. In a large bowl or ziplock bag, add beaten egg, half the spice mix then pour buttermilk over.
2. Add chicken bites and seal. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
3. Meanwhile in a large bowl add flour, and cornstarch and mix well. Take the chicken bowl out of the fridge and mix in the flour mixture with your fingers or a spoon. The mixture will thicken and look lumpy so no worries.
4. In another bowl, mix panko with the remaining half of the spice mix.
5. Heat oil in a large skillet. Take chicken pieces out of the buttermilk flour mixture and place in the panko bowl, pressing on them to coat evenly.
6. Fry for about 2-3 minutes until golden brown; work in batches, and do not overcrowd the pan. Serve drizzled with bang bang sauce.

👩‍🍳 What else you can do

• If you want to add a little more to the top of your chicken, sesame seeds and sliced green onions both make a great topping. 
• Don't have chicken breast? You can use boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into pieces also. 
• Greek yogurt can be used in place of the buttermilk for the marinade in this chicken. 
• Do not like deep fried food? Spray the chicken with oil and use the air fryer or bake in the oven.

👍 Amira's notes

• Don't forget to check the internal temperature of the cooked chicken to ensure that it reaches at least 165 degrees f. 
• You can add the chicken to the marinade the night before you plan to make it so that it's ready when you get home for a busy weekday dinner. 
• I recommend you make your own bang bang sauce to control the heat, especially if you have little kids.
• This chicken tastes amazing when served on top of a salad. The delicious sauce takes the flavor up a couple of notches. 

🧺 How to store leftovers

Refrigerate - Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. 

Freeze - You can freeze the cooked chicken in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating. However, take note that the chicken will no longer be crispy after being thawed. 

Reheat - While you can reheat this chicken in the microwave, for the best results I recommend reheating it in the air fryer. Place the leftover chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for 3-5 minutes at 350 degrees or until warm all the way through. 

📣 You might also like

Are you looking for more copycat recipes to make for your family? If so, next time give this Copycat Panda Express Kung Pao Chicken, Olive Garden Chicken Scampi, or Copycat Big Mac Sauce a try. 

Do you love fried chicken recipes? Check out this juicy chicken parmesan thighs recipe, it is very tender and flavorful.

Craving a bold and flavorful dish? These Bang Bang Chicken Skewers are marinated to perfection, grilled to juicy tenderness, and drizzled with a creamy, spicy sauce.

⌛ Make Ahead

This chicken is best enjoyed freshly made. However, you can save a little time by marinating the chicken the night before, so it's ready to go when you need to get it on the dinner table quickly. 

🍽️ Perfect pairings: what to serve with

I typically serve this fried chicken over top of a bed of white rice. And, this Instant Pot Basmati Recipe is always my go-to rice recipe. These Mediterranean Roasted Vegetables are another one of my favorite fresh and healthy sides to pair with this meal. 

💬 Your questions answered: FAQs

Have you tried the Bang Bang shrimp before? I bet you'll love this easy chicken recipe. Let me know in the comments below what you think.

If you love this recipe, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating! Thank you.