Description
Crispy Bang Bang Chicken is a quick and easy Asian-inspired dish, ready in just 30 minutes. It combines tender, buttermilk-marinated chicken coated in cornstarch and fried to perfection. Tossed in a sweet and spicy Bang Bang sauce made of mayonnaise, Thai sweet chili sauce, and sriracha, this dish is both satisfying and addictive—a perfect choice for weeknights or as an appetizer.
Ingredients
Chicken
- Boneless, skinless chicken thighs – 1 lb
- Buttermilk – 1 cup
- Cornstarch or potato starch – 1 cup
- Neutral oil (e.g., avocado, sunflower, or canola) – 2 cups
- Salt – 1 tsp
- Garlic powder – 1 tsp
- Black pepper – 1/2 tsp
- Green onions, sliced (for garnish) – 2
Bang Bang Sauce
- Mayonnaise – 1/2 cup
- Sweet Thai chili sauce – 1/4 cup
- Sriracha – 2 tbsp
- Honey (optional) – 1 tbsp
Fresh lime juice (optional) – 1 tbsp
Instructions
1. Prepare Chicken
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- Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces.
- Marinate the chicken in buttermilk for 10-15 minutes. For dairy-free, substitute with 1 cup soy milk mixed with 1 tbsp lemon juice.
2. Prepare Coating
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- In a bowl, combine cornstarch, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper.
3. Coat and Fry
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- Remove chicken from the marinade and coat each piece in the cornstarch mixture. Shake off excess coating.
- Heat neutral oil to 325°F (165°C). Fry chicken pieces for 90 seconds for the first fry.
- Increase oil temperature to 350°F (175°C) and fry for another 90 seconds until golden brown and crispy.
4. Make Bang Bang Sauce
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- Mix mayonnaise, sweet Thai chili sauce, and sriracha in a bowl. Adjust spice levels by modifying sriracha. Add honey or lime juice for extra flavor, if desired.
5. Assemble
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- Toss fried chicken pieces in the prepared Bang Bang sauce. Garnish with sliced green onions. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Baking Option: Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Coat chicken with Bang Bang sauce and bake for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Customizations: For gluten-free, use gluten-free sweet chili sauce and cornstarch. Vegetarian? Swap chicken for extra-firm tofu.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes or in a skillet to retain crispiness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course or Appetizer
- Method: Frying (with Baking Alternative)
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: ~450 kcal
- Sugar: ~8 g
- Sodium: ~720 mg
- Fat: ~30 g
- Saturated Fat: ~5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: ~20 g
- Trans Fat: ~0 g
- Carbohydrates: ~25 g
- Fiber: ~1 g
- Protein: ~20 g
- Cholesterol: ~100 mg