Delicious Crispy Bang Bang Chicken Recipe

This crispy bang bang chicken has been my weeknight dinner hero for years. After working in restaurant kitchens and testing this recipe more times than I can count, I finally nailed the perfect coating that stays crunchy and juicy chicken that never dries out. Emma calls it "the best chicken ever," and honestly, he's not wrong. The sweet and spicy sauce mixed with that incredible crunch makes everyone at the table happy.

A serving of crispy bang bang chicken bites garnished with chopped parsley, chives, red pepper flakes, and drizzled with creamy sauce in a square bowl.

Why You'll Love This Crispy Bang Bang Chicken

This crispy bang bang chicken has saved so many dinner nights at our house. When Emma sees me getting the chicken out, he starts doing his happy dance because he knows we're having "the good stuff." The coating gets super crunchy and stays that way, while the chicken stays juicy inside. I've made this recipe dozens of times and it works every single time.

What's great is it looks like restaurant food but doesn't take forever to make. The sauce has just enough kick to make it interesting without being too spicy for kids. I can get everything ready earlier in the day, then just fry it up when everyone's hungry. It's become one of those recipes that friends always ask me to bring to potlucks because they know it'll disappear fast.

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Crispy Bang Bang Chicken
Ingredients for Crispy Bang Bang Chicken
How To Make Crispy Bang Bang Chicken Step By Step
Storing Your Crispy Bang Bang Chicken
Crispy Bang Bang Chicken Variations
Equipment For Crispy Bang Bang Chicken
Smart Swaps for Crispy Bang Bang Chicken
What to Serve With Crispy Bang Bang Chicken
Top Tip
My Cousin's Hidden Gem: A Recipe for Success
FAQ
Time to Get Cooking!
Related
Pairing
Crispy Bang Bang Chicken

Ingredients for Crispy Bang Bang Chicken

The Chicken:

Boneless chicken breast or tenders
Buttermilk for soaking
All-purpose flour
Cornstarch
Panko breadcrumbs
Eggs

Fresh ingredients for breading chicken—eggs, flour, breadcrumbs, panko, seasoning, and raw chicken breasts arranged on a light surface.

The Bang Bang Sauce:

Mayonnaise
Sweet chili sauce
Sriracha
Rice vinegar
Garlic powder
Honey

For Extra Crunch:

Sea salt
Baking powder
Smoked paprika
Onion powder
White pepper

See recipe card for quantities.

Small bowls filled with bang bang sauce ingredients including mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, garlic powder, cornstarch, and paprika.

How To Make Crispy Bang Bang Chicken Step By Step

Get Everything Ready:

Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces
Soak in buttermilk for at least 2 hours
Set up three bowls: seasoned flour mix, beaten eggs, panko mixture
Heat oil to 350°F

Bowls containing raw diced chicken, melted butter, seasoned breadcrumbs, panko, and salt arranged neatly on a marble countertop.

The Coating Process:

Drain chicken but don't rinse
Dredge each piece in flour mixture
Dip in beaten eggs
Press firmly into panko breadcrumbs
Let coated chicken rest for 10 minutes

A plate of raw chicken fillets coated with panko breadcrumbs, with a hand sprinkling more crumbs over them.

Frying Time:

Work in small batches so oil stays hot
Fry for 3-4 minutes until golden brown
Don't crowd the pot
Drain on wire rack

Several golden-brown breaded chicken pieces frying in hot bubbling oil inside a large skillet on a stovetop.

Make the Sauce:

Toss hot chicken in sauce right before serving
Whisk all sauce ingredients together
Taste and adjust spice level

A stainless steel pan filled with crispy fried chicken pieces coated in a glossy, reddish-brown bang bang sauce, with a hand whisking the sauce over the chicken.

Storing Your Crispy Bang Bang Chicken

Same Day Storage:

Let it cool completely on the wire rack
Don't cover it while it's still warm
Keep the sauce separate until you're ready to eat
Store uncovered for a few hours if needed

Fridge Storage (2-3 days):

Put in container with paper towels
Keep sauce in separate container
Reheat in 400°F oven for 5-8 minutes
Don't use the microwave - it makes it soggy

Freezer Storage (1 month):

Reheat straight from frozen in the oven
Freeze pieces on a tray first
Then put in freezer bags
Thaw in the fridge overnight

Crispy Bang Bang Chicken Variations

Asian Style:

Add sesame oil to the marinade
Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds on top
Garnish with chopped scallions
Serve with pickled cucumber slices

Spicy Thai Version:

Mix fish sauce into the coating
Add fresh Thai chilies to the sauce
Top with fresh cilantro
Squeeze lime wedges over everything

Southern Comfort:

Make mini sliders with buttermilk biscuits
Add pickled jalapeños
Top with coleslaw
Extra hot sauce on the side

Party Bites:

Cut chicken into smaller pieces
Put on skewers for easy eating
Make different sauce options
Perfect for game day

Equipment For Crispy Bang Bang Chicken

Heavy-bottomed pot or electric fryer
Instant-read thermometer
Wire cooling rack
Large mixing bowls
Fine-mesh skimmer

Smart Swaps for Crispy Bang Bang Chicken

Protein Changes:

Chicken thighs → Extra juicy results
Shrimp → Cut cooking time in half
Cauliflower florets → Great veggie option
Tofu → Press well and marinate longer

Coating Switches:

Gluten-free flour blend → Works perfectly
Crushed cornflakes → Extra crunch
Almond flour → Lower carb
Rice flour → Lighter coating

Sauce Tweaks:

Chipotle → Smoky heat instead of sriracha
Greek yogurt → Healthier base instead of mayo
Coconut cream → Dairy-free option
Sugar-free honey → Less sugar

What to Serve With Crispy Bang Bang Chicken

This crispy bang bang chicken is so good it could stand alone, but I've found some sides that make dinner even better. Plain white rice is my go-to because it soaks up all that sauce, though coconut rice adds a nice sweet touch. For veggies, steamed broccoli with garlic or simple green beans work great. A cucumber salad with rice vinegar helps cut through the richness too.

Emma's favorite way is over white rice with steamed broccoli on the side - he loves how the rice catches every drop of sauce. For parties or casual dinners, I sometimes serve it with warm dinner rolls so people can make sliders, or add some egg rolls and potstickers for a full meal. Coleslaw is another winner because the crunch and tang balance out the creamy, spicy chicken.

Top Tip

Making this recipe hundreds of times has taught me the tricks that make all the difference. Temperature is everything - keep that oil at exactly 350°F using a thermometer every single time. Too hot and the coating burns before the chicken cooks through, too cool and you get soggy, greasy chicken. Don't skip the rest time either - let the coated chicken sit for 10 minutes before frying so the coating sticks better and creates that perfect crunchy shell.

Never crowd the pot when frying - I only do 4-5 pieces at a time because more than that drops the oil temperature and makes soggy chicken. It takes longer but the results are way better. Always toss the chicken in sauce right before serving, not earlier, or that crispy coating gets soft and loses its crunch. Emma has learned to wait patiently by the stove because he knows good things are coming.

My Cousin's Hidden Gem: A Recipe for Success

My cousin discovered something amazing about this crispy bang bang chicken completely by accident last summer. She was making it for a family barbecue when she ran out of regular honey and grabbed her husband's hot honey instead. Nobody expected much, but when we tasted it, everyone went quiet for a second before asking "What did you do differently?" That hot honey added just the right amount of heat without being too spicy for the kids.

But her real trick came from her teenage son who suggested adding a splash of pickle juice to the buttermilk marinade. It sounds weird, but that little bit of tang and salt made the chicken so much more flavorful. Now I always keep a jar of pickles around just for this recipe. Sometimes the best cooking tips come from the most unexpected places, and my cousin's accidental discovery has become our family's new standard way to make this dish.

FAQ

What is crispy Bang Bang Chicken?

Crispy bang bang chicken is bite-sized chicken pieces coated in a crunchy breading and tossed with a sweet, spicy, and creamy sauce. It started as an Asian-fusion appetizer but has become a popular main dish. The "bang bang" refers to the sauce that balances heat and sweetness.

What is the trick to getting Crispy Bang Bang Chicken?

The secret is the double coating technique and keeping your oil at exactly 350°F. Soak chicken in buttermilk first, then use a flour-cornstarch mixture for the base coat, finish with panko breadcrumbs. Don't overcrowd the pan and let the coated chicken rest before frying.

What is Crispy Bang Bang Chicken Chinese?

Traditional Chinese bang bang chicken is actually a cold dish from Sichuan province with shredded poached chicken and spicy peanut sauce. The crispy fried version we know today is an American-Asian fusion creation that focuses on the sweet-spicy sauce profile instead of traditional preparation.

What is bang bang sauce made of chicken?

Bang bang sauce combines mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, and honey for that signature sweet-spicy-creamy flavor. Some recipes add rice vinegar for tang and garlic powder for depth. The key is balancing the heat level with sweetness to complement the crispy chicken.

Time to Get Cooking!

Now you have everything you need to make crispy bang bang chicken that'll have everyone asking for the recipe. From the double coating trick to my cousin's hot honey discovery, this dish shows that some of the best meals come from simple techniques done right. Emma still does his happy dance every time I make this, and honestly, I don't blame him.

Want more delicious dinners? Try our The Best Korean Corn Sausage Recipe for something fun and different that kids love. Need a cozy fall side dish? Our Easy Sage Butternut Squash Recipe goes great with any main course. Or if you're feeling fancy, whip up our Healthy Rangoon Crab Bombs Recipe for the party appetizer that disappears in minutes!

Your turn to shine—share your crispy chicken win! Mention and show off that golden crunch.
Loved it? Rate it and connect with fellow food lovers!