Baked Bang Bang Chicken – Light, Crispy & Packed with Flavor!

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Everyday Culinary Delights👩‍🍳

Posted on January 30, 2025

Crispy Bang Bang Chicken is a dish that delivers bold flavors and irresistible texture in every bite. Inspired by the famous Bang Bang Shrimp, this version swaps seafood for tender, juicy chicken bites that are coated in a light, crunchy crust and tossed in a creamy, spicy, and slightly sweet sauce. The contrast of crispy chicken and velvety sauce makes this dish a standout, perfect for any occasion.

Whether served as an appetizer, a main dish, or a party snack, Bang Bang Chicken is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. With simple ingredients, easy preparation, and multiple cooking options—including frying, baking, and air frying—this dish is both versatile and accessible for home cooks of all skill levels.

In this guide, we’ll explore what makes Bang Bang Chicken so special, the secrets to achieving perfect crispiness, delicious variations, serving ideas, and expert tips to ensure this recipe turns out restaurant-quality every time.

Why You’ll Love This Bang Bang Chicken

1. Extra Crispy Coating Without Feeling Heavy

Unlike traditional deep-fried chicken, which can sometimes feel greasy or heavy, this recipe ensures a perfectly light and crunchy texture by using panko breadcrumbs. These Japanese-style breadcrumbs are larger and airier than regular breadcrumbs, creating a delicate crispiness that doesn’t absorb too much oil.

Another trick to achieving the perfect crunch is the combination of flour and cornstarch. Cornstarch is often used in Asian-style fried chicken because it helps absorb moisture and creates a crispier crust without making the coating too thick.

2. The Famous Bang Bang Sauce: Sweet, Spicy & Creamy

The Bang Bang sauce is what makes this dish truly special. Made with mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and lime juice, it strikes a perfect balance between:

Sweetness from the chili sauce and honey
Heat from the sriracha
Creaminess from the mayo
Tanginess from the lime juice

Unlike traditional dipping sauces, Bang Bang sauce is tossed with the crispy chicken, ensuring that every bite is packed with flavor. The sauce clings to the chicken without making it soggy, thanks to its thick and velvety consistency.

3. A Healthier Alternative to Takeout

Bang Bang Chicken is a popular restaurant dish, but homemade versions allow for healthier ingredient choices. By making it at home, you can:

Control the amount of oil used
Adjust the spice and sweetness to personal preference
Choose baking or air frying for a lighter version

Homemade Bang Bang Chicken ensures fresh, high-quality ingredients without the added preservatives or excess sodium often found in takeout.

4. Versatile Cooking Methods: Fry, Bake, or Air Fry

One of the best things about this recipe is that you can choose how to cook the chicken depending on your preference:

Deep frying delivers maximum crispiness and a golden-brown color.
Baking is a healthier option that still results in a crunchy crust without excess oil.
Air frying is the best of both worlds, producing crispy chicken with minimal oil usage.

No matter which method you choose, the result is deliciously crispy chicken with a light, crunchy coating.

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts – 2 large (cut into bite-sized pieces)
Salt – 1 teaspoon
Black pepper – ½ teaspoon
Garlic powder – ½ teaspoon
Paprika – ½ teaspoon
All-purpose flour – ½ cup
Cornstarch – ½ cup
Eggs (beaten) – 2 large
Panko breadcrumbs – 1 ½ cups
Vegetable oil (for frying) – 1 ½ cups

For the Bang Bang Sauce:

Mayonnaise – ½ cup
Sweet chili sauce – ¼ cup
Sriracha sauce – 1 tablespoon (adjust for spice level)
Honey – 1 tablespoon
Lime juice – 1 teaspoon

Directions

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces.
Season with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.

Step 2: Set Up the Breading Station

In one bowl, combine flour and cornstarch.
In a second bowl, beat the eggs.
In a third bowl, add panko breadcrumbs.

Step 3: Bread the Chicken

Dredge each chicken piece in the flour-cornstarch mixture.
Dip into the beaten eggs, ensuring full coverage.
Coat with panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently for a thick, even crust.

Step 4: Cook the Chicken

Frying Method:

Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet to 350°F (175°C).
Fry the breaded chicken pieces in batches for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown.
Remove and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.

Baking Method (Healthier Alternative):

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
Place breaded chicken on a lined baking sheet.
Spray lightly with cooking oil.
Bake for 20 minutes, flipping halfway for even crispiness.

Air Fryer Method (Extra Light & Crispy):

Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
Arrange breaded chicken in a single layer.
Cook for 12-14 minutes, shaking halfway through.

Step 5: Make the Bang Bang Sauce

In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, honey, and lime juice.
Adjust seasoning to taste, adding more sriracha for extra heat.

Step 6: Toss & Serve

Place crispy chicken in a large bowl.
Drizzle with Bang Bang sauce and toss gently to coat.
Serve hot with extra sauce on the side.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

Calories – 520 kcal
Protein – 38g
Carbohydrates – 50g
Fat – 22g
Fiber – 2g

How to Customize Bang Bang Chicken

1. Spicy Bang Bang Chicken

Increase the sriracha in the sauce for extra heat.
Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the chicken seasoning.
Sprinkle with crushed red pepper flakes before serving.

2. Baked Bang Bang Chicken (Healthier Version)

Instead of frying, bake the breaded chicken at 400°F (200°C) for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Lightly spray the chicken with cooking oil before baking to achieve a golden crust.

3. Air Fryer Bang Bang Chicken

Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
Air fry for 12-14 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through for even crispiness.

4. Low-Carb Bang Bang Chicken (Keto-Friendly)

Replace panko breadcrumbs with crushed pork rinds.
Swap honey for a keto-friendly sweetener like monk fruit syrup.

5. Bang Bang Shrimp Variation

Use shrimp instead of chicken, following the same breading and frying process.
Shrimp cook faster, so fry them for only 2-3 minutes per side.

What to Serve with Bang Bang Chicken

Bang Bang Chicken is incredibly versatile and can be served in many different ways depending on the occasion:

As a Main Dish

Over rice – Serve with steamed jasmine or basmati rice to absorb the sauce.
In tacos – Fill warm tortillas with crispy chicken, slaw, and extra Bang Bang sauce.
In a grain bowl – Serve over quinoa or cauliflower rice with fresh veggies.

As an Appetizer or Snack

With fries – Pair with sweet potato fries or crispy French fries.
In sliders – Stuff Bang Bang Chicken into mini buns for party-friendly sliders.
With a fresh salad – Add to coleslaw or mixed greens for extra crunch.

How to Store & Reheat Bang Bang Chicken

If you have leftovers, follow these tips to keep them crispy and flavorful:

Storage:

Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freeze breaded but uncooked chicken for up to 3 months. Cook directly from frozen for best results.

Reheating:

Oven: Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 10 minutes to restore crispiness.
Air Fryer: Heat at 350°F (175°C) for 5 minutes.
Skillet: Reheat in a dry pan over medium heat for 3-4 minutes per side.

To prevent sogginess, store the sauce separately and toss it with the chicken just before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I Make Bang Bang Chicken Ahead of Time?

Yes! Fry or bake the chicken in advance and store it separately from the sauce. When ready to serve, reheat the chicken and toss it in fresh Bang Bang sauce for the best texture.

2. What’s the Best Oil for Frying?

Use neutral oils with a high smoke point, such as vegetable oil, canola oil, or peanut oil. These oils ensure even frying without adding overpowering flavors.

3. Can I Make This Dish Gluten-Free?

Yes! Substitute:

Gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes instead of panko.
Cornstarch instead of flour for the breading.

4. How Do I Make the Sauce Less Spicy?

Reduce the amount of sriracha or replace it with mild hot sauce. You can also add more mayonnaise to mellow out the heat.

5. Can I Use Chicken Thighs Instead of Chicken Breasts?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs add extra juiciness and flavor. Just adjust the cooking time slightly since thighs take longer to cook than breasts.

Conclusion: Why This Bang Bang Chicken Will Become a Favorite

Crispy, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying, Bang Bang Chicken is a dish that never fails to impress. Whether you’re serving it for a casual dinner, a party appetizer, or meal prep, it’s an easy way to bring restaurant-quality flavor to your table.

With its light, crunchy coating and rich, creamy sauce, this dish is a true balance of texture and taste. Once you try it, it’s bound to become a regular in your recipe collection.

Now that you have all the tips and tricks, it’s time to get cooking—your perfect Bang Bang Chicken awaits!