Bang Bang Chicken
Crispy, golden, and packed with flavor! Bang Bang Chicken is a crunchy, panko-coated fried chicken dish, drizzled with a creamy, sweet, and spicy sauce that’s impossible to resist.
Ingredients
- For the Chicken:
- 1½ pounds boneless skinless chicken tenderloins
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
- 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
- Canola oil for frying
- For the Bang Bang Sauce:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup Thai sweet chili sauce
- 1 teaspoon Sriracha adjust to taste
- 2 tablespoons honey
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, mix together mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and honey until smooth. Set aside.
- Marinate the Chicken: In a medium bowl, whisk buttermilk, flour, cornstarch, egg, hot sauce, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper until well combined. Add chicken tenderloins, ensuring they're fully coated.
- Bread the Chicken: Place panko breadcrumbs on a shallow plate. Remove each chicken piece from the marinade, letting excess drip off, and coat thoroughly with panko. Set aside.
- Heat the Oil: In a large skillet, pour about an inch of canola oil. Heat over medium-high until it reaches 365°F (185°C).
- Fry the Chicken: Working in batches, fry the breaded chicken pieces for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Ensure the oil temperature returns to 365°F before adding new pieces.
- Drain and Serve: Place fried chicken on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Drizzle with the prepared Bang Bang sauce and garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
Notes
✔️ Marinate for Maximum Flavor: Let the chicken soak in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes (or up to 8 hours) to make it extra tender and juicy.
✔️ Double Coating = Extra Crispiness: For the crispiest texture, dip the chicken in flour, back into the buttermilk, then coat with panko breadcrumbs.
✔️ Oil Temperature Matters: Keep the frying oil at 365°F (185°C) to ensure golden, crispy chicken without greasiness.
✔️ Air Fryer Option: Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway, for a healthier version.
✔️ Adjust Spice Level: Control heat by reducing Sriracha or adding extra honey for a milder sauce.
