When I first made Bang Bang Chicken for my family, I honestly wasn't prepared for the reaction. My usually picky daughter took one bite and literally did a happy dance in her chair, while my husband asked if we could have it again tomorrow. This crispy, saucy masterpiece has become our absolute go-to when I need something that feels indulgent but comes together quickly on busy weeknights.
The combination of perfectly seasoned chicken with that creamy, slightly spicy sauce creates pure magic that even beats our favorite takeout spot. Whether you're looking for weeknight dinner ideas easy enough for Tuesday chaos or want to impress guests with minimal effort, this recipe delivers every single time.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
This bang bang chicken strikes the perfect balance between restaurant-quality flavor and home kitchen simplicity. Unlike complicated dinner recipes for chicken that require specialty ingredients, this creates incredible results using pantry staples and basic cooking techniques. My sister was amazed when I told her how easy it actually is, especially since it tastes like something from an upscale Asian restaurant.
The crispy coating stays perfectly crunchy while the sauce adds just the right amount of creamy heat that even my spice-sensitive mom can handle. Plus, it's one of those affordable chicken recipes that feeds a family of four for under twenty dollars, making it perfect for budget-conscious weeks without sacrificing flavor.
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What You'll Need
Creating this restaurant-worthy dish requires simple ingredients that work together to build incredible layers of flavor and texture. The magic happens in the balance between the crispy coating and that signature creamy sauce.
This family friendly chicken recipes approach is super easy, full steps are in the recipe card.
Main Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- Vegetable oil for frying
Bang Bang Sauce
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sweet chili sauce
- 2 tablespoons sriracha sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
Optional Extras
Serve this over steamed jasmine rice, in a chicken bowl with fresh vegetables, or even as bang bang chicken skewers for parties. My family loves adding sliced green onions, sesame seeds, or a side of steamed broccoli for extra color and nutrition.
How to Make Bang Bang Chicken
Prepare the Coating Station
Set up three shallow dishes: flour mixture in one, beaten eggs in another, and have your oil heating to 350°F in a heavy-bottomed pot or deep fryer.
Season the Chicken Perfectly
Cut chicken into uniform pieces and season with salt and pepper. This ensures even cooking and maximum flavor in every bite.
Create the Crispy Coating
Dredge each piece of chicken in flour mixture, then egg, then back in flour for that extra-crispy double coating that makes all the difference.
Fry to Golden Perfection
Working in batches, fry chicken pieces for 3-4 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Don't overcrowd the pot or the temperature will drop.
How do you keep bang bang chicken crispy? The secret is maintaining proper oil temperature and not overcrowding the pan, which keeps the coating perfectly crunchy.
Make the Signature Sauce
While chicken cooks, whisk together all sauce ingredients until smooth and creamy. This sauce for chicken is what makes the dish absolutely irresistible.
Toss and Serve
Immediately toss hot, crispy chicken with the bang bang sauce, ensuring every piece gets coated in that creamy, spicy goodness.
Aliana's Pro Tip
The secret to exceptional bang bang chicken lies in the double flour coating technique I learned from watching my favorite cooking shows.
After the first flour dip, let the coated chicken rest for about 5 minutes before the final flour coating.
This creates an incredibly crispy exterior that stays crunchy even after saucing.
My mom always said patience makes perfect, and she was absolutely right.
When I skip this resting step, the coating just doesn't have that same restaurant-quality crunch.
Now my family requests this version specifically because they can tell the difference in texture, and honestly, those extra few minutes are totally worth the amazing results.
Follow Aliana on Pinterest →Storage & Serving Tips
This bang bang chicken tastes best when served immediately while the coating is still crispy, but leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, use your oven at 375°F for about 10 minutes to restore some crispiness rather than microwaving.
What to Serve With Bang Bang Chicken
This versatile dish shines when served over fluffy jasmine rice as a chicken rice bowls creation, or alongside steamed vegetables for a complete meal. My family loves it as part of healthy bowls with quinoa, edamame, and cucumber for a fresh, balanced dinner that feels both indulgent and nutritious.
FAQs About Bang Bang Chicken
Can I bake bang bang chicken instead of frying?
Yes! Bake at 425°F for 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway through for even browning.
What makes bang bang sauce different from other sauces?
The combination of mayo, sweet chili sauce, and sriracha creates that signature creamy-spicy flavor profile.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
The sauce can be made 2 days ahead, but the chicken is best served immediately after cooking.
Is bang bang chicken suitable for meal prep?
Absolutely! It works great in chicken bowl recipe preparations for the week ahead.
More Fun Dinner Ideas For Family Healthy
If you're looking for more crowd-pleasing options, these recipes deliver the same wow factor with simple preparation:
Made it your way? Tag @AlianaRecipes on Pinterest and show off your delicious version! You'll find more amazing easy weeknight suppers in my family Dinner collection, where every recipe is tested and loved by real families.
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Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Crispy Bang Bang Chicken:
Crispy Bang Bang Chicken
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Heat the vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed pot to prepare for frying until it reaches temperature.
- Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper to ensure even flavor in every bite.
- Dredge chicken in flour then egg and back in flour to create a double coating that looks thick.
- Fry the chicken in batches without crowding the pot to cook until golden brown.
- Whisk the sauce ingredients together in a bowl to blend flavors until smooth.
- Toss the hot chicken with the prepared sauce to coat every piece until glossy.
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