Description
Bang Bang Chicken is a crispy, golden-fried chicken recipe featuring tender bite-sized pieces coated in a flavorful buttermilk batter and crunchy panko, then drizzled with a sweet and spicy homemade chili mayo sauce. This popular appetizer or snack comes together quickly and is perfect for game day, parties, or any casual gathering.
Ingredients
Chicken and Batter
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 3 cups vegetable oil (for frying)
Sweet Chili Sauce
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 teaspoons Frank’s Hot Sauce
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Buttermilk Mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, all-purpose flour, cornstarch, egg, hot sauce, and season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. This creates a flavorful, thick batter for the chicken.
- Coat the Chicken: Working with one piece at a time, dip each chunk of chicken into the buttermilk mixture, then dredge it thoroughly in the Panko breadcrumbs, pressing the crumbs onto the chicken to ensure an even, crispy coating.
- Heat the Oil: Pour the vegetable oil into a large stockpot or Dutch oven and heat it over medium-high heat until it reaches 360°F (182°C) on a deep-fry thermometer, ensuring it’s hot enough for frying without absorbing too much oil.
- Fry the Chicken: In batches, carefully add the coated chicken pieces to the hot oil. Fry them for 2 to 3 minutes, or until they are evenly golden brown and crispy on all sides. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked chicken to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
- Make the Sweet Chili Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, honey, and Frank’s Hot Sauce until smooth and well combined. This sauce will add a creamy, sweet-spicy flavor to the chicken.
- Serve: Arrange the crispy fried chicken on a serving platter. Drizzle generously with the sweet chili sauce and garnish with chopped fresh parsley leaves. Serve immediately while hot and crispy for best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Ensure the oil maintains a steady temperature of 360°F to avoid greasy chicken.
- Do not overcrowd the pot while frying; work in batches to keep the oil temperature stable and the coating crispy.
- Panko breadcrumbs provide extra crunch but you can substitute with regular breadcrumbs if necessary.
- Adjust the amount of hot sauce in the batter and sweet chili sauce to your preferred spice level.
- Use fresh chicken breasts for the best texture and taste.
- The sauce can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated until ready to serve.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
