Why Make This Recipe
Bang Bang Chicken is a delightful dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights. With its crunchy coating and sweet-spicy sauce, it’s a guaranteed hit with both kids and adults. The best part? You can whip it up easily, even if you’re juggling homework and dinner prep. Plus, this recipe offers a fun way to introduce your little ones to cooking. Let’s get started on creating this delectable meal together!
How to Make Bang Bang Chicken
Creating Bang Bang Chicken involves a few simple steps, and I promise, it’s worth it! Let’s break it down so you can feel confident tackling this tasty dish.
Ingredients:
For the Sauce:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup Thai sweet chili sauce
- 1 teaspoon Sriracha sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
For the Chicken:
- 1 ½ pounds boneless (skinless chicken tenderloins)
- 1 cup buttermilk (you can substitute with regular milk mixed with a tablespoon of vinegar for a similar tang)
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour (substitute with whole wheat flour if preferred)
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon Sriracha sauce
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, adjust for taste)
- 2 cups plain panko breadcrumbs
- Canola oil (for frying, or use any oil you have on hand)
- Chopped parsley (for garnish)
Directions:
1. Make the Bang Bang Sauce:
Start by mixing the mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and honey in a bowl. Whisk them together until smooth. You can taste it and adjust the heat by adding more Sriracha if you like it spicier. Set this aside.
2. Prepare the Chicken Marinade:
In a separate bowl, mix the buttermilk with Sriracha, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper if using. Add the chicken tenderloins and let them marinate for at least 20 minutes. This will keep the chicken juicy.
3. Coat the Chicken:
Set up your breading station. In one bowl, combine the flour and cornstarch. In another bowl, beat the egg. In the third bowl, place the panko breadcrumbs. Take each tenderloin from the marinade, coat it in the flour mixture, dip it in the egg, and finally coat it well with panko breadcrumbs.
4. Fry the Chicken:
In a large pan, heat about an inch of canola oil over medium heat. Once hot, carefully place the coated chicken pieces in the oil. Fry them in batches until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes on each side. Use a slotted spoon to transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.
5. Drain and Toss:
Once fried, toss the crispy chicken in the Bang Bang sauce until well-coated. You can also serve the sauce on the side for dipping, which kids love!
6. Garnish and Serve:
Sprinkle chopped parsley over the chicken for a pop of color. Serve with rice or on a bed of lettuce for a fun presentation that feels extra special.
How to Serve Bang Bang Chicken
Bang Bang Chicken can be served in so many delightful ways! Try it over a bed of fluffy rice or even mixed into a salad for some crunch. It also makes a great filling for wraps or as part of a fun appetizer platter! Pair it with some fresh veggies for a wholesome meal that the whole family can enjoy.
How to Store Bang Bang Chicken
If you happen to have any leftovers (though they usually disappear quickly!), store the chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. To reheat, pop them in the oven rather than the microwave to keep them crispy.
Tips to Make Bang Bang Chicken
- Prep Ahead: You can marinate the chicken the night before. Just keep it in the refrigerator, and you’ll save time during a busy evening.
- Make it Crispy: Ensure your oil is hot enough before adding the chicken; this helps achieve that desired crunch.
- Involve the Kids: Let your little ones help coat the chicken in panko. It’s messy, but that’s where the fun is!
- Batch Cooking: Consider making a larger batch and freezing what you don’t eat. Frozen chicken can last about 2 months and can be reheated as needed.
Variation
For a healthier twist, you can bake the breaded chicken instead of frying. Preheat the oven to 400°F, place the coated chicken on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and spritz lightly with oil. Bake for about 20-25 minutes until fully cooked and crispy.
FAQs
1. Can I use chicken breasts instead of tenderloins?
Yes, chicken breasts work perfectly too! Just slice them into thin strips to help with even cooking.
2. What if I don’t have panko breadcrumbs?
You can substitute regular breadcrumbs or make your own by processing stale bread in a blender. The key is to achieve a crunchy coating!
3. Is there a way to make this dish gluten-free?
Absolutely! Use gluten-free all-purpose flour and gluten-free breadcrumbs to keep this dish gluten-free without sacrificing flavor.
Enjoy making Bang Bang Chicken with your family! It’s a fun and delicious way to gather around the dinner table.
Print
Bang Bang Chicken
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: None
Description
A delightful dish of crispy chicken coated in a sweet-spicy Bang Bang sauce that’s perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup Thai sweet chili sauce
- 1 teaspoon Sriracha sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken tenderloins
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon Sriracha sauce
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 2 cups plain panko breadcrumbs
- Canola oil (for frying)
- Chopped parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Mix mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and honey in a bowl until smooth. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, mix buttermilk, Sriracha, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Marinate chicken tenderloins for at least 20 minutes.
- Prepare the breading station: mix flour and cornstarch, beat the egg, and place panko breadcrumbs in separate bowls. Coat marinated chicken with flour mixture, dip in egg, then coat with breadcrumbs.
- Heat about an inch of canola oil in a large pan over medium heat. Fry coated chicken pieces until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
- Toss fried chicken in Bang Bang sauce or serve sauce on the side. Garnish with chopped parsley.
- Serve over rice or lettuce for a fun presentation.
Notes
For extra flavor, sprinkle with chopped parsley before serving. Great for leftovers which can be stored for up to three days in an airtight container.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
Keywords: Bang Bang Chicken, crispy chicken, easy chicken recipe, family dinner, weeknight meals