Bang Bang Chicken

Crispy, crunchy, and smothered in a sweet and spicy sauce, this Bang Bang Chicken is your new favorite dinner or appetizer! Made with panko-crusted chicken tenderloins and drizzled with homemade bang bang sauce, it’s a bold and flavorful dish that always hits the spot. Whether you’re frying, air frying, or baking, this recipe brings restaurant-quality results right to your kitchen.

Why You’ll Love This Bang Bang Chicken

You’ve probably heard of Bang Bang Shrimp—well, this is its equally irresistible cousin! The bang bang sauce is the star of the show, combining creamy, sweet, and spicy elements into one unforgettable flavor. Once you taste it over crispy fried chicken, you’ll want to drizzle it on everything.

This dish is:

Extra crispy and golden thanks to panko breadcrumbs
Sweet, spicy, and tangy all in one bite
Versatile—perfect as a main dish or party appetizer
Easy to adapt for the air fryer or oven

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Chicken:

1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken tenderloins (or cut chicken breasts into strips)
1 cup buttermilk (use full-fat or homemade)
¾ cup all-purpose flour
½ cup 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 for heat)
2 cups panko breadcrumbs (for extra crunch)
Canola or vegetable oil, for frying
Fresh chopped parsley, for garnish

For the Bang Bang Sauce:

1 cup mayonnaise
½ cup Thai sweet chili sauce
1 teaspoon (or more) Sriracha
2 tablespoons honey

How to Make Bang Bang Chicken

1. Prepare the Sauce

In a small bowl, mix together mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, Sriracha, and honey until smooth. Set aside or refrigerate for up to 5 days.

2. Marinate and Bread the Chicken

In a medium bowl, whisk together buttermilk, flour, cornstarch, egg, Sriracha, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and cayenne. Add chicken tenderloins and coat well.

Place panko breadcrumbs in a shallow dish. Working one piece at a time, remove chicken from the marinade, shake off excess, and coat thoroughly in panko. Press to adhere.

3. Fry the Chicken

Heat about 1 inch of oil in a large skillet to 365°F. Carefully fry chicken in batches, 2–3 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp of 165°F). Drain on paper towels.

4. Serve

Drizzle with bang bang sauce or toss the chicken in it, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve warm over rice or with your favorite sides.

Air Fryer Instructions

Want a lighter version? Use the air fryer!

Follow the same prep and breading steps.
Spray coated chicken with cooking spray.
Air fry at 400°F for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Drizzle with sauce and serve.

Oven-Baked Option

For a no-fry method:

Preheat oven to 425°F.
Place breaded chicken on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Spray tops with cooking spray.
Bake for 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until crispy and cooked through.
Add sauce and enjoy!

How to Store and Reheat

Let chicken cool completely before storing:

Fridge: Wrap in foil or place in an airtight container. Store up to 5 days.
Freezer: Freeze in a zip-top bag for up to 6 months.
To Reheat: Re-crisp in a 375°F oven or air fryer until heated through.

What to Serve with Bang Bang Chicken

Make it a full meal with:

Steamed jasmine or coconut rice
Asian-style slaw or cucumber salad
Roasted vegetables
Garlic noodles or lo mein

More Bang Bang Recipes to Try

Bang Bang Shrimp – The classic that started it all!
Bang Bang Chicken Skewers – Perfect for grilling season.
Bang Bang Salmon – Sweet heat meets flaky fish.

More Chicken Favorites

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
Cheesy Bacon Chicken Stuffed Shells
Butter Chicken
Chicken Cacciatore
Cheesy Chicken Casserole

Final Tips

Want it extra spicy? Add more Sriracha or cayenne to both the sauce and marinade.
Panko is best for crunch, but cornflakes or regular breadcrumbs can work in a pinch.
Let the oil return to 365°F between batches for even cooking.

Crispy, golden, and coated in that sweet-and-spicy magic—this Bang Bang Chicken is pure comfort food bliss. Whether you fry, bake, or air fry, it’s a recipe you’ll come back to again and again!