Bang Bang Chicken with Crispy Fried Coating and Spicy Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe
Introduction
Bang Bang Chicken is a crispy, flavorful dish that combines tender fried chicken with a creamy, spicy sauce. It’s perfect as an appetizer or a main course when you want something quick, tasty, and satisfying.

Ingredients
- 1 cup (232 g) mayonnaise
- ½ cup (132 g) Thai sweet chili sauce
- 1 teaspoon Sriracha, or more to taste
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken tenderloins
- 1 cup (245 g) buttermilk
- ¾ cup (94 g) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (64 g) cornstarch
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 tablespoon Sriracha
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 2 cups (216 g) panko breadcrumbs, plain
- Canola oil, for frying
- Parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Step 1: Make the bang bang sauce by combining mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and honey in a small bowl. Mix well and set aside.
- Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together buttermilk, flour, cornstarch, egg, Sriracha, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper (if using) to create the batter.
- Step 3: Add chicken tenderloins to the batter, tossing to coat them evenly.
- Step 4: Pour panko breadcrumbs onto a shallow plate. Remove chicken pieces from the batter one at a time, shaking off excess batter, then dredge each piece in the panko, pressing lightly to help it stick. Set aside on a clean plate.
- Step 5: Heat about an inch of canola oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it reaches 365°F (185°C).
- Step 6: Fry the breaded chicken in batches, avoiding overcrowding. Cook each piece for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Step 7: Transfer fried chicken to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
- Step 8: Drizzle the cooked chicken with the prepared bang bang sauce, sprinkle with chopped parsley, and serve warm.
Tips & Variations
- For extra crunch, use a mix of panko and crushed cornflakes in the coating.
- If you prefer less heat, reduce or omit the Sriracha in the sauce and batter.
- Serve with steamed rice or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
- Use chicken thighs instead of tenderloins for juicier results.
Storage
Store leftover Bang Bang Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes to maintain crispiness. The bang bang sauce is best added fresh to keep the coating crunchy.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I bake the chicken instead of frying it?
Yes, you can bake the breaded chicken at 400°F for about 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through. It won’t be as crispy as frying but will still be delicious.
What can I use if I don’t have buttermilk?
To make a buttermilk substitute, mix 1 cup of milk with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using.
Print
Bang Bang Chicken with Crispy Fried Coating and Spicy Sweet Chili Sauce Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Bang Bang Chicken is a crispy, flavorful fried chicken dish coated in a spicy and sweet Bang Bang sauce. Tender chicken tenderloins are dipped in a flavorful buttermilk batter, coated with crunchy panko breadcrumbs, and fried to golden perfection. The chicken is then tossed in a creamy, tangy, and slightly spicy sauce made with mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and honey. Garnished with fresh parsley, this dish serves as an irresistible appetizer or main course perfect for gatherings or weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Bang Bang Sauce
- 1 cup (232 g) mayonnaise
- ½ cup (132 g) Thai sweet chili sauce
- 1 teaspoon Sriracha (or more to taste)
- 2 tablespoons honey
Chicken and Batter
- 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken tenderloins
- 1 cup (245 g) buttermilk
- ¾ cup (94 g) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (64 g) cornstarch
- 1 large egg (room temperature)
- 1 tablespoon Sriracha
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 2 cups (216 g) panko breadcrumbs (plain)
- Canola oil (for frying)
Garnish
- Chopped parsley
Instructions
- Make Bang Bang Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and honey until smooth and well combined. Set aside to allow flavors to meld.
- Prepare Batter: In a medium mixing bowl, combine buttermilk, flour, cornstarch, egg, Sriracha, garlic powder, kosher salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper (if using). Whisk until the batter is smooth and thoroughly mixed.
- Coat Chicken in Batter: Add the chicken tenderloins to the batter and toss gently to ensure each piece is fully coated with the batter mixture.
- Prepare Panko Coating: Spread the panko breadcrumbs evenly on a shallow plate for easy dredging.
- Dredge Chicken in Panko: One piece at a time, remove chicken pieces from the batter, gently shaking off excess batter, then press into the panko breadcrumbs to coat thoroughly. Place coated chicken on a clean plate and repeat for all pieces.
- Heat Oil: Pour about one inch of canola oil into a large skillet and heat it over medium-high heat until the oil temperature reaches 365°F (185°C).
- Fry Chicken: Working in batches to avoid overcrowding, carefully add the coated chicken tenderloins to the hot oil. Fry for approximately 2-3 minutes on each side or until golden brown and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Maintain oil temperature at 365°F between batches.
- Drain Excess Oil: Transfer fried chicken to a paper towel-lined plate to remove excess oil.
- Toss with Sauce and Serve: Place the fried chicken in a large bowl, drizzle with the prepared Bang Bang sauce, and toss gently to coat evenly. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve warm for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Maintain oil temperature at 365°F to ensure crispy coating and thorough cooking.
- Do not overcrowd the pan while frying to prevent temperature drop and soggy chicken.
- Adjust Sriracha amount in sauce and batter to achieve preferred spice level.
- Use fresh panko breadcrumbs for maximum crunch.
- Allow the sauce to sit for a few minutes before tossing to meld flavors.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
Keywords: Bang Bang Chicken, Crispy Fried Chicken, Thai Sweet Chili Chicken, Spicy Chicken, Appetizer Recipe, Crispy Chicken Tenders

