If you’re looking for the perfect finger food to serve at parties, game nights, or family dinners, look no further than Crispy Bang Bang Chicken. With its crunchy coating and irresistibly creamy-spicy sauce, this recipe is a showstopper that’s easy to make and impossible to forget. Whether you’re craving juicy chicken tenders, planning a chicken finger meal idea, or simply want to spice up your weekly menu, Bang Bang Chicken has you covered.
This dish features tender strips of chicken breast, coated in a light, crispy batter and fried until golden brown. The real magic happens when they’re drizzled—or dipped—in the signature bang bang sauce: a mix of creamy mayo, sweet chili sauce, and just the right amount of heat. Ready to master this crispy chicken with sauce? Let’s dive into the full 2000-word guide on how to make the best Crispy Bang Bang Chicken at home.
🔥 Why You’ll Love This Bang Bang Chicken Recipe
This crispy chicken recipe is a fan favorite for so many reasons:
- Crunchy Exterior + Juicy Interior: Thanks to a double dredging method and quick frying technique, you get a perfectly crispy shell with juicy, flavorful chicken inside.
- Versatile: Serve it as a snack, in a Bang Bang Chicken Sandwich, over salad bowls, or even with rice or noodles.
- Better Than Takeout: With simple pantry ingredients, you can recreate restaurant-style spicy chicken nuggets at home in under 30 minutes.
- Perfect for Parties: Great for game night recipes, potlucks, or crowd-pleasing appetizers.
🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what you need for both the crispy chicken and the iconic bang bang sauce.
For the Crispy Chicken:
- 2 large chicken breasts, cut into strips or chunks (tenders work too!)
- 1 cup buttermilk (for marinating)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 2 large eggs
- Vegetable oil, for frying
For the Bang Bang Sauce:
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup Thai sweet chili sauce
- 1 tbsp Sriracha (adjust to spice preference)
- 1 tsp honey (optional, for balance)
- Pinch of salt
Pro Tip: Want to make it lighter? Try baking or air frying the chicken tenders, then toss with sauce.
🔪 Step-by-Step Instructions
Let’s walk through the steps for creating juicy, crunchy chicken that’s perfect for dunking in bang bang sauce.
Step 1: Prep and Marinate the Chicken
- Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces or strips.
- In a bowl, combine the chicken with buttermilk, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes (or overnight for extra flavor).
Why marinate? The buttermilk tenderizes the chicken and infuses it with flavor, ensuring juicy chicken tenders every time.
Step 2: Make the Bang Bang Sauce
While the chicken marinates, whisk together:
- Mayonnaise
- Sweet chili sauce
- Sriracha
- Honey (optional)
- Salt
Refrigerate until ready to use. This sauce is creamy, tangy, sweet, and spicy—a perfect match for crispy fried chicken.
Step 3: Dredge the Chicken
- Set up a dredging station:
- Bowl 1: Flour + cornstarch + pinch of salt
- Bowl 2: Beaten eggs
- Bowl 3: Flour mixture again (for double coating)
- Remove chicken from marinade, let excess drip off.
- Dip into flour mixture → eggs → back into flour mixture.
- Press gently to ensure coating sticks well.
Crispy Tip: The double dredge ensures that crispy chicken with sauce holds up and doesn’t get soggy too fast.
Step 4: Fry the Chicken
- Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet or frying pan to 350°F (175°C).
- Fry chicken in batches, without overcrowding, for 4–5 minutes until golden and crispy.
- Transfer to a wire rack or paper towel to drain excess oil.
Step 5: Serve with Bang Bang Sauce
Drizzle sauce over warm chicken or serve it on the side as a dip. Garnish with chopped green onions or sesame seeds if desired.
🥪 Variations & Serving Ideas
Bang Bang Chicken is super versatile. Here are some fun ways to enjoy it:
1. Bang Bang Chicken Sandwich
- Toast a brioche bun
- Add coleslaw or lettuce
- Pile on crispy chicken
- Drizzle with extra bang bang sauce
- Serve with fries for a full chicken finger meal idea
2. Bang Bang Chicken Salad
- Serve over mixed greens or shredded cabbage
- Add sliced cucumbers, avocado, and cherry tomatoes
- Drizzle with sauce as a dressing
3. Bang Bang Chicken Tacos
- Use flour or corn tortillas
- Add crispy chicken, slaw, and sauce
- Top with cilantro and lime
4. Bang Bang Chicken Bowls
- Serve over rice or noodles
- Add sautéed or steamed veggies
- Spoon sauce over the top
👨🍳 Tips for Crispy Perfection
- Cornstarch = Extra Crisp: Don’t skip it—it lightens the flour and gives that signature crunch.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Fry in small batches to maintain oil temperature.
- Rest on Wire Rack: Helps keep the underside crispy instead of soggy.
- Sauce on the Side: If serving at a party or game night, let people dip their chicken to keep the crispiness intact longer.
🧊 Make-Ahead, Storage & Reheating
- Make-Ahead: Prep and marinate the chicken in advance. You can even dredge and refrigerate 1 hour before frying.
- Storage: Store leftover cooked chicken (unsauced) in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–4 days.
- Reheating: Reheat in a 375°F oven or air fryer for 5–8 minutes to revive crispiness. Avoid microwaving—it softens the coating.
🧂 Customize Your Bang Bang Sauce
Want to tweak the flavor? Try these variations:
- Less Heat: Reduce Sriracha or substitute with ketchup for a mild version.
- More Tang: Add a squeeze of lime juice or rice vinegar.
- Garlic Kick: Mix in minced garlic or garlic powder.
- Asian Fusion: Add a splash of soy sauce or sesame oil.
🍗 Nutritional Info (Approx. Per Serving)
- Calories: 420
- Protein: 25g
- Fat: 20g
- Carbs: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 5g
Nutrition varies based on portion size and preparation method (frying vs. baking).
🎉 Bang Bang Chicken = Party MVP
If you’re hosting friends for a football night, throwing a birthday bash, or just want an excuse to indulge, this Bang Bang Chicken recipe should be at the top of your list. It’s bold, craveable, and brings everyone back for seconds (or thirds).
Pair it with drinks, crispy fries, or veggie sticks, and you’re good to go. It’s one of those quick chicken tender recipes you’ll want to keep in your back pocket.
📌 Final Thoughts
Bang Bang Chicken is proof that a few pantry staples and a little love can create something unforgettable. Crispy, spicy, creamy, and deeply satisfying, this dish is everything you want in a comfort food snack—or a dinner centerpiece.
Whether you’re making spicy chicken nuggets for the kids, tossing them into a sandwich for a busy lunch, or serving them up for your next party, this recipe is always a win. So heat up that oil and whisk up the sauce—it’s time to bang out some Bang Bang Chicken.
